The Runarounds Season 1: A Musical Teen Drama That Hits All the Right Notes
Amazon Prime Video’s newest YA sensation, The Runarounds, dropped on September 1, 2025, and it’s already making waves with its heartfelt storytelling and infectious soundtrack. Created by Jonas Pate, co-creator of Outer Banks, this eight-episode series is a vibrant blend of music, youth, and self-discovery—anchored by a real-life band playing fictionalized versions of themselves.
🎤 Plot Overview: A Summer of Sound and Soul
Set in the coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina, The Runarounds follows five recent high school graduates who form a rock band in the hopes of escaping the expectations laid out for them. With no roadmap and plenty of emotional baggage, they dive headfirst into a summer of gigs, heartbreaks, and dreams of stardom. Each character faces personal crossroads—from family pressure to romantic entanglements—making the journey as emotionally rich as it is musically charged.
🎸 Real Band, Real Chemistry
What sets The Runarounds apart is its cast: William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock, and Jesse Golliher—all members of the actual band The Runarounds, formed in 2021. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and their musical performances add authenticity that most scripted dramas can’t replicate. The show features original songs like Funny How the Universe Works and Senior Year, which are woven seamlessly into the narrative.
🎬 Production and Legacy
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Skydance Television, the series was filmed entirely in Wilmington, capturing the sun-drenched vibe of a Southern summer. With writing contributions from David Wilcox and Shannon Burke, and a five-season arc reportedly planned, The Runarounds is poised to become a cornerstone of Prime Video’s teen drama lineup. The Runarounds Season 1 consists of 8 episodes, all released on September 1, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video. The series follows high school friends forming a band after graduation.
| Episode | Title | Air Date | IMDb Rating | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.1/10 | Charlie Cooper and friends form The Runarounds band post-graduation. |
| 2 | Morning Glory | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.3/10 | Charlie faces writer’s block; Pete seeks gigs; Neil falls in love. |
| 3 | (Nice Day for a) Weird Wedding | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.2/10 | Band plays at a hippie wedding to attract a record label. |
| 4 | Three Grand, Five Songs, Four Days | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.6/10 | Band records in studio amid tensions; Bez eyes other options. |
| 5 | Ride the Wave | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.0/10 | Wild road trip tests loyalties and reveals secrets. |
| 6 | Been Caught Stealing | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.5/10 | Band’s gear stolen after road trip high. |
| 7 | Hypocrites | Sep 1, 2025 | 8.7/10 | Viral song draws major label; summer ends soon for Charlie and Sophia. |
| 8 | N/A | Sep 1, 2025 | N/A | Season finale wraps band journey. |
🌟 Why It Matters
The Runarounds isn’t just another coming-of-age story—it’s a celebration of youthful ambition, artistic vulnerability, and the messy beauty of growing up. By grounding its narrative in real-life experiences and music, the show resonates with viewers who’ve ever dreamed of breaking free and making it big.
The Runarounds (from the creator of Outer Banks) follows a group of recent high school graduates who form a band in the hopes of escaping the mundane futures that are laid out before them. As the band pursues their big break and near impossible dream over the course of a summer, they fall in love and trouble along the way.
Admin Stark
Even though I went to high school in the 80’s, this show reminds me of the feelings I had in high school and after graduation. From feeling invisible to the person you were crushing on, to feeling like you had no control in your future because your parents were still telling you what to do, to those days we were so excited for the party that night and smoking copious quantities of weed. It’s a cute show, and the music is good.