Return to Peyton Place

Eight to ten years after the original film, Allison MacKenzie receives a call from publisher Lewis Jackman who wants to publish her book and promises to turn her into a household name. Allison is ecstatic at the prospect of becoming a bestseller and gaining acclaim. The news arrives as Selena faces continued criticism from the town for her past.

In Peyton Place, Selena Cross remains the target of harsh gossip because of her past. Mrs. Roberta Carter fuels the hostility by trying to isolate Selena from the community. The social climate foreshadows the conflicts that will unfold around the book and its revelations.

Ted Carter returns with shocking news: he has impulsively married Raffaella, a former Italian model. Mrs. Carter uses the situation to drive a wedge with Selena, hoping to turn her against the couple. Ted's marriage heightens the town's tensions.

Following the scheme's exposure, Selena has a car accident while trying to escape. Ski instructor Nils Larsen helps at the scene, and although Selena initially resists, she begins to feel attraction toward him. The event marks the start of a complicated romance.

Constance reluctantly allows Allison to travel to New York for a meeting with publisher Lewis Jackman. Lewis presses for significant changes to her manuscript, and Allison agrees to cooperate after some hesitation. Constance suspects something when she learns Allison and Lewis worked together through the night.

The next morning, Constance discovers that Allison and Lewis have been working through the night, fueling her suspicions about their involvement. She confronts Allison, questioning her motives and integrity. The revelation strains their relationship and adds to the book's turmoil.

Raffaella and Ted go skiing, and Ted is surprised to see Selena in the company of Nils. The sight foreshadows Selena's budding romance with Nils after their public accident encounter. The group dynamics heighten the town's social tension.

In the following weeks, Allison promotes her book on TV and radio, becoming a celebrity. She learns that Lewis is married, but she still kisses him after receiving the first copy of her book, fueling its sensational reception. The scandal drives the book's strong commercial momentum.

The book is heavily criticized by the town for exposing secrets and altering memories. Constance is disappointed by the edits; Selena is disgusted by her portrayal and experiences a breakdown, striking Nils with a fireplace poker in a memory-torn moment. The episode underscores the personal cost of the book's revelations.

Mike Rossi, the high school principal and Constance's husband, becomes the book's lone defender by refusing to remove it from the school library. He risks discharge by the school board led by Mrs. Carter as the conflict over the book escalates. The town's institutions face a test over censorship and loyalty.

Ted confronts Raffaella about his mother, but she reveals she is pregnant. She leaves angrily and then deliberately causes a skiing accident to end the pregnancy. The revelation heightens the emotional stakes for the Carter family.

Allison learns that Mike has been fired and decides to confront Peyton Place's residents. She endures her mother's scolding for compromising decency for success, but she commits to supporting Mike's case in town hall. Her resolve grows as public debate heats up.

Lewis, Nils, and Ted join the defense of Mike, reminding the town that bigotry has driven people away. Selena returns to Peyton Place, blaming the townspeople for her pain and thanking Allison for telling the truth about hypocrisy. Nils expresses hope to marry Selena if she returns.

Constance publicly denounces Roberta for manipulating others, and Mike is reinstated after the town acknowledges the harm caused by prejudice. The power dynamics in Peyton Place begin to shift as accountability takes center stage.

Having matured, Allison ends her affair with Lewis to avoid wrecking his marriage. She decides to leave Peyton Place to start a new life elsewhere, marking a decisive turn in her personal journey.