The Last Anniversary unfolds on Scribbly Gum Island, opening with Sophie Honeywell, portrayed by Teresa Palmer, unexpectedly inheriting a house from Connie, the great-aunt of her ex-boyfriend. The island is a remote, almost mystical setting, shrouded in secrets that will gradually surface as the series progresses.

The very first scene places Sophie arriving on the island, her emotions a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The house is weathered yet charming, imposing in its silence. The island itself holds an eerie stillness, and whispers of its past linger in the salty air. Sophie’s exploration reveals subtle clues to the island’s history, marked by an undercurrent of suspense.

As Sophie settles in, we meet Rose (Miranda Richardson), a key island resident whose complex history intertwines with the island’s legacy. Young Rose (Josephine Blazier) appears in flashbacks, giving the audience a deeper understanding of Rose’s character arc — a woman shaped by secrets and bygone events. Each flashback layers past and present, blurring into an intricate narrative.

Throughout early episodes, the story reveals the island’s haunting mystery: decades ago, a young couple vanished without a trace, a mystery that transformed Scribbly Gum into a magnet for true crime tourism. This unresolved disappearance acts as a shadow over every character and interaction. Sophie becomes enmeshed in this mystery, her investigations bringing her closer to uncovering truths hidden by time and silence.

Veronika (Danielle Macdonald) is another prominent figure whose life is deeply affected by the island’s tensions. The interactions between Sophie and Veronika are charged, revealing tensions and alliances that shift as secrets unravel.

Supporting characters like Enigma (Helen Thomson), Margie (Susan Prior), and Connie herself (Angela Punch McGregor) enrich the tapestry of the island’s story, each holding pieces of the wider puzzle. Their dialogues and confrontations are emotionally charged, revealing nuanced layers of grief, betrayal, and resilience.

Midway through the series, dramatic scenes highlight Sophie’s evolution from outsider to someone deeply entangled in the island's fate. Her relationships with Thomas (Charlie Garber) and Callum (Uli Latukefu) deepen, adding emotional stakes that heighten the tension. Sophie wrestles with her own identity and the weight of legacy — the central thematic elements touching on family, motherhood, and the impact of women across generations.

The penultimate episodes intensify in atmosphere, with dark secrets surfacing in flashbacks and present confrontations. Revelations about Connie and the island’s women show how their legacies ripple through time. The narrative intertwines personal dramas with the overarching mystery of the disappearance, leading to moments of emotional catharsis and shock.

In the final episode, the truth behind the disappearance, and the complex history of the women on Scribbly Gum Island, is laid bare. Sophie’s journey culminates in a powerful reckoning, both with the island’s haunted past and her personal demons. The closing scenes resonate with a bittersweet closure — the island's secrets partly unearthed, but some mysteries lingering, reflecting the enduring complexity of memory and family.

From a viewer’s perspective, the series crafts a visceral experience with immersive visuals of the island’s rugged beauty juxtaposed against the dark, intimate human dramas unfolding. The characters' arcs are deeply emotional, particularly Sophie’s transformation through confrontation with history and self-discovery. The Last Anniversary leaves a haunting impression, entwining suspenseful mystery with poignant explorations of legacy and identity.

Scribbly Gum Island is significant because it holds a famous mystery involving the disappearance of a young couple decades ago. The island has become a tourist destination, with Enigma, the baby found abandoned by the couple, now leading guided tours to the crime scene. The island's secrets and mysteries are central to the story, affecting the characters and their relationships.

Sophie Honeywell, played by Teresa Palmer, starts as an outsider who inherits a house on Scribbly Gum Island from her ex-boyfriend's great-aunt Connie. Initially, she is unlucky in love and unhappy, but as she delves into the island's mysteries and becomes involved with the Doughty family, she begins to find her place and possibly love. Her determination to solve the island's mysteries and make herself useful leads to personal growth and changes in her relationships.

Enigma, played by Helen Thomson, is the baby found abandoned by the missing couple on Scribbly Gum Island. She has grown up and now uses her fame to lead guided tours on the island, capitalizing on the mystery of her past. Her character has a dark side that is gradually revealed, impacting the story and the characters around her.

The theme of family and motherhood is central to the story, as characters navigate complex relationships and personal struggles. Sophie's desire to become a mother and her experiences with the Doughty family highlight these themes. The series explores multi-generational dynamics, including postpartum depression and dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships, which are pivotal to the characters' journeys.

Connie's will is significant because she leaves her house on Scribbly Gum Island to Sophie, an outsider, which shocks the Doughty family. Additionally, Connie leaves Sophie a cryptic message suggesting that there is a man on the island waiting for her, which motivates Sophie to find love and uncover the island's secrets. This sets Sophie on a path of discovery and personal growth.

The TV show The Last Anniversary (2025) is a mystery drama centered on family, motherhood, and generational legacies, featuring strong female characters and emotional depth. It has a tone that fluctuates between lighthearted romantic comedy elements and darker, atmospheric mystery.

Regarding family-friendliness and potential content concerns:

• Potentially upsetting themes: The series touches on complex family issues, including a traumatic birth and postnatal depression, which might be sensitive topics for children or viewers sensitive to mental health themes.
• Emotional and dramatic content: The show involves unresolved family mysteries, abandonment, and strained relationships that may include episodes of emotional distress and tension.
• Tone variation: The tone sometimes shifts from lighter to more enigmatic and somber, which might be unsettling or confusing for younger audiences or those expecting a consistently light mood.

No explicit or graphic content warnings were noted in reviews or descriptions, but the presence of mature themes such as trauma, mental health struggle, and family conflict suggests it may be better suited for older teens and adults rather than young children.

In summary, The Last Anniversary may not be fully family-friendly for young children due to its mature themes and emotional intensity, although it is not described as containing explicit or violent scenes. Sensitive viewers should be aware of its focus on family trauma and mental health issues.