Firefly Lane sequel Fly Away will focus on Tully's quest to fulfill her promise to Kate

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers. Proceed with caution if you have not watched the show/movie.

The Netflix series Firefly Lane, which was adapted from Kristin Hannah's acclaimed novel, has officially concluded its journey with the end of Season 2. Although Season 3 has been canceled, there is a flicker of hope for fans as "Fly Away," the eagerly awaited sequel book based on Firefly Lane, is expected to be released soon.

Speaking to The Wrap, showrunner Maggie Friedman told them, “We talked a lot about a lot of different versions in the writers room of how exactly the moment of [Kate’s] death was going to play out, and what we finally landed on was this idea that Kate was hanging on until she knew that everyone was going to be okay.”

Throughout 26 episodes, the adaptation of Kristen Hannah's novel, Firefly Lane, has eloquently portrayed the enduring friendship between Tully and Kate, which has withstood the test of time for over three decades. Season 2 marks the poignant conclusion of Kate's journey, as she bravely battles cancer, paralleling the book's poignant ending with her funeral. As the credits roll, reminiscent of the book, the song "Dancing Queen" by ABBA resonates.

In the Firefly Lane sequel, Fly Away, we witness the continued journeys of Kate, Tully, Johnny, and Marah, despite the heartbreaking loss of one of them (as depicted in the concluding part of Firefly Lane season 2). While the Netflix series, Firefly Lane, draws inspiration from the book, it incorporates a few notable deviations. For instance, Johnny and Kate's marriage is never on the verge of dissolution, and Tully and Kate experience they are falling out over Marah, albeit in a distinct manner.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Firefly Lane showrunner Maggie Friedman said: "I hope that people who are big fans of the book can watch the show and be like, 'Oh, my God, there's that moment I remember!' And also be like, 'Oh, I'm surprised by this, but it's cool because it's in the spirit of the book, but it's a different thing.'"

What to expect from Fly Away

This novel delves into the aftermath of Kate's passing, delving deep into the struggles and complexities faced by the characters. While it maintains the heart-wrenching plot point of Kate's diagnosis and eventual death from cancer, the book also explores the profound fallout between Kate and Tully.

In the narrative, the fallout between the two friends occurs when Tully convinces Kate and Marah to participate in a segment on mothers and daughters, only to realize that it portrays overbearing mothers in a negative light. However, Kate's terminal cancer diagnosis brings Tully back into her life, echoing the storyline depicted in the series where Tully rushes to reconcile with Kate before her passing. Kate entrusts Tully with the responsibility of caring for Johnny and her family after her demise, while Johnny and Kate have two more children.

The essence of "Fly Away" revolves around Tully's struggle to fulfill her promise to Kate by supporting her children. However, Tully finds herself at a loss, grappling with the challenges of being part of a family and lacking experience in that role. Meanwhile, Kate's daughter, Marah, is consumed by grief until she falls in love with a young man who brings light back into her life but also introduces her to a dangerous world. Tully's mother, Dorothy Hart, also known as Cloud, makes a tumultuous return, seeking redemption as a mother after repeatedly abandoning Tully in the past. As Tully faces the risk of losing everything, becoming increasingly vulnerable and isolated, Dorothy resurfaces, hoping for another chance to be a good mother. However, the question lingers as to whether Dorothy can be trusted this time. Through a tragic event, the three women come together, embarking on a poignant and powerful journey of redemption. Each character has lost their way, and they must rely on each other and perhaps even a miracle to transform their lives.

In the interview with Book Reporter, the author Kristin Hannah said, “The biggest question that came from FIREFLY LANE concerned Tully's mom, Dorothy. She was a really screwed-up character and a terrible mother. My readers wanted to know why, and so did I. In a very real way, the answer to this question is why I wrote the book.”

She also said, “Honestly, Dorothy's story is my favorite part of FLY AWAY. I think it's unexpected and interesting, and illustrative of the truth that we often don't know the people closest to us. Dorothy reveals herself to be a tragic character, and more importantly, she redeems herself. Both of these elements were important to me, and because readers tended to really dislike Dorothy in FIREFLY LANE, I had my work cut out for me to create a credible character you could root for.”

Four years after Kate's death, we reconnect with the remaining characters: Tully, Johnny, Marah, and Cloud. The book specifically focuses on the journeys of the three women—Tully, Marah, and Cloud—and traces their past and present experiences. We delve deeper into Cloud's story, gaining insight into her character, and also learn more about Tully's journey before and after Kate's death. Additionally, we witness Marah's ongoing struggle to navigate her grief over losing her mother.

Hannah said to the Book Reporter: "I just had to know why Dorothy [a.k.a. Cloud] was the kind of person she was and how Tully and Marah would survive without Kate. Because I lost my own mother when I was much too young, I know intimately that one person can sometimes hold an entire family together, and the loss of that person is devastating. It can take you years to get back on your feet. That's really the theme of Fly Away—how to let go of someone you love and go on. "

She also said, “Tully and Kate have become almost iconic among my readers. I think that's because they seemed so real, and they waged so many of the battles that we women face --- work versus motherhood and the challenges of growing up in the ’70s and ’80s. They were the best of friends, and that's a powerful bond, but they also weren't perfect. They had to fight sometimes to stay friends, and that's really how it works. Nothing worth having comes easily…friendship included.”

 In terms of Fly Away plot, the book commences with Tully experiencing a perilous accident that puts her life at stake. Throughout the narrative, Tully's existence teeters on the edge between life and death, becoming the catalyst that unites the other two characters: Cloud, referred to as Dorothy in the book and Tully's mother, and Marah, Tully's goddaughter.

We will come up with more updates on the Netflix Fly Away as soon as we get anything new. Follow Devdiscourse for updates on more Netflix series.

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