So, you’ve finished After Everything. You watched Hardin Scott wander around Lisbon, saw him finally get his act together, and witnessed that flash-forward wedding that supposedly tied everything up in a neat little bow. But if you’re like the millions of people who lived through the Wattpad era, you know that the "After" universe doesn't just stop because the credits rolled on the fifth movie. People are still searching for "after the after series" because the timeline is, frankly, a bit of a mess.
It’s confusing.
Anna Todd’s world is huge. Between the five original movies, the prequel book Before, and the upcoming projects that have been teased for years, it’s hard to track what is actually happening versus what is just internet rumor. Honestly, the transition from the "After" movies to what comes next—the "after the after series" content—is where things get complicated for the casual viewer.
The Real Status of the Spin-offs
Back in 2021, Director Castille Landon dropped a bombshell on fans. She confirmed that the franchise wasn't dying; it was expanding. We were promised a prequel based on the book Before and a sequel focused on the next generation—specifically Hardin and Tessa’s kids, Emery and Auden.
But here is the reality check: it’s been years.
Production cycles in Hollywood are notoriously fickle, and while the "after the after series" sequels were greenlit, news has been sparse. The prequel is meant to explore Hardin’s trauma and his life before he met Tessa Young at WCU. It’s supposed to give context to why he was the way he was. If you’ve read the book Before, you know it’s not just a retelling; it’s a deep dive into his POV.
Then there’s the sequel. This is the one fans are arguably more obsessed with. It’s supposed to follow Emery and Auden Scott along with their cousin Addy. The goal is to keep the "After" spirit alive while focusing on Gen Z struggles. Castille Landon mentioned that these films would be "generational," but since Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford have effectively aged out of playing college students, new actors will have to take the mantle for any "after the after series" projects moving forward.
Why the Flash-Forward Changed Everything
In After Everything, we got a glimpse of the future. We saw Hardin and Tessa older, with children. This was a massive departure from the previous films because it gave us the "happily ever after" that the books took hundreds of pages to earn.
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A lot of fans felt it was rushed.
If you look at the source material, the ending of the book After Ever Happy is a long, winding road of time jumps. It shows them in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. The movie tried to condense that into a few minutes. This left a massive gap in the narrative. People want to know what happened in those intervening years. How did they go from the toxic breakup in London to being stable parents? That gap is exactly where the demand for more "after the after series" content comes from.
Hardin Scott isn't an easy character. He’s polarizing. Some critics call the series a glorification of toxic relationships, while fans argue it’s a story about the messy, non-linear path of healing from trauma. Regardless of where you stand, the financial success of the franchise is undeniable. These movies were made on modest budgets and cleaned up at the international box office and on Netflix.
That money talks.
The Prequel vs. The Sequel
Let's break down what we actually know about these two specific projects.
The prequel, based on Before, is technically the next logical step. It’s easier to film because it doesn't require the original lead actors to return for long periods. You can cast a younger Hardin. You can show his childhood with Vance and Trish. It adds layers.
The sequel is the bigger gamble. Writing a story about Hardin and Tessa’s kids means you risk losing the chemistry that made the series a hit. Hero and Josephine are the franchise. Without them as the primary focus, will the audience stay?
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The "after the after series" projects have to balance nostalgia with a fresh hook. Landon has stated that the new movies will stay true to the "foundational themes," which is code for high drama, intense romance, and a lot of emotional heavy lifting.
Why the Books Still Rule the Conversation
If you’re waiting for news on the movies and getting frustrated, you’ve gotta go back to the books. Anna Todd’s writing style is where the "after the after series" truly lives.
- Before: Covers Hardin's life before Tessa, and a few scenes from his perspective during After.
- The Landon Series: (Nothing More and Nothing Less). These books follow Landon Gibson in New York. If you want to know what happens to the most wholesome character in the series, these are mandatory reading.
- The Brightest Stars: While not directly in the "After" universe, this is Todd’s other major work that fans of the series often migrate to.
Honestly, the "After" fandom is one of the most dedicated on the planet. They found the series on a self-publishing app and turned it into a global phenomenon. That kind of loyalty doesn't just evaporate. It’s why there is such a heavy push for "after the after series" updates on TikTok and Twitter every single day.
Addressing the "Toxic" Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about it. The "After" series is constantly criticized for portraying an unhealthy relationship. When we look at the potential for "after the after series" stories, there’s an opportunity for the creators to address this.
In the later books, Hardin goes to therapy. He actually works on himself. The movies touched on this, but a sequel series could show a more mature version of love. It could show that while their beginning was chaotic, their "after" was built on actual growth.
This nuance is what separates the series from its peers like The Kissing Booth or To All The Boys I've Loved Before. It’s darker. It’s grittier. It’s not always pretty.
What’s Actually Next?
Currently, the films are in various stages of "development hell," a common term for when a project is announced but doesn't have a set release date or active filming schedule.
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Wait. Don't lose hope.
The distribution deals for these movies are complex. Voltage Pictures knows they have a goldmine. The most likely scenario is a quiet production phase followed by a surprise trailer drop, much like how After Everything was announced. No one even knew they were filming the fifth movie until Hero Fiennes Tiffin posted a video saying they had just wrapped.
That’s the "After" way.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you are looking to stay ahead of the curve on "after the after series" news, don't just wait for a Netflix notification.
First, follow Castille Landon and Anna Todd on social media. They are the primary sources. Second, keep an eye on trade publications like Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter—if casting calls go out for "Emery" or "Auden," that’s where you’ll see it first.
Third, dive into the Landon spin-off books. They provide the most "after" content available right now that hasn't been fully adapted for the screen. They fill in the blanks about the friendship dynamics and what happens once everyone leaves the college bubble.
The "after the after series" isn't just a collection of movies; it's a sprawling narrative that started on a phone screen in 2013 and is still evolving. Whether through new films or the existing expanded universe in print, the story of Hardin and Tessa is far from over. It just looks a little different now.