Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Dash & Lily, which became one of Netflix’s most charming holiday romantic comedies that perfectly captured the magic of Christmas in New York City.
Premiering on Netflix on November 10, 2020, this romantic comedy series was created by Joe Tracz and based on the beloved young adult novel “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares” by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. The series stars Austin Abrams and Midori Francis in career-defining performances that bring the beloved literary characters to life. Dash & Lily consists of 8 episodes, each averaging 25-30 minutes in length, making it perfect for a cozy holiday binge-watch. Despite positive critical reception and a devoted fanbase, Netflix canceled the series after one season in October 2021, disappointing fans who had hoped to see more of Dash and Lily’s story unfold.
The series follows two teenagers living in New York City who develop mutual romantic feelings as they open up to each other by trading messages and dares in a notebook around multiple locations during the Christmas holiday season. What makes Dash & Lily exceptional is its authentic portrayal of modern teenage romance combined with the timeless magic of finding love through written words and shared adventures across the most romantic city in the world.
Dash’s Journey from Cynicism to Connection
Austin Abrams delivers a nuanced performance as Dash, a cynical teenager who hates Christmas and prefers spending the holidays alone with books rather than dealing with family drama or holiday cheer. Opposites attract at Christmas as cynical Dash and sunny Lily trade messages and dares in a red notebook they pass back and forth around New York City. Abrams captures the vulnerability beneath Dash’s sarcastic exterior, showing how his protective cynicism slowly melts away as he connects with Lily through their notebook exchanges.
Dash’s character development throughout the series shows a young man learning to open his heart despite past disappointments and family complications. Abrams brings authenticity to Dash’s transformation from someone who actively avoids human connection to someone willing to take emotional risks for love. His portrayal balances wit and depth, making Dash both relatably guarded and surprisingly romantic.
Lily’s Optimistic Heart and Holiday Spirit
Midori Francis shines as Lily, a 17-year-old hopeless romantic who believes in the magic of Christmas and the possibility of finding true love through creative adventures. Francis captures Lily’s genuine enthusiasm and vulnerability, creating characters that feel both aspirational and deeply human. Her performance shows how optimism can be both a strength and a potential weakness when it comes to matters of the heart.
The chemistry between Francis and Abrams creates the series’ foundation, even though they spend much of their screen time apart, communicating through notebook entries and dares around New York City. Francis brings depth to what could have been a one-dimensional “manic pixie dream girl” character, showing Lily’s own insecurities and growth alongside her infectious joy.
When Notebook Magic Meets Real Life
The series builds to powerful moments when Dash and Lily’s notebook romance must translate into real-world interaction, creating both magical encounters and realistic complications. A whirlwind holiday romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City. The most compelling episodes occur when their idealized connection faces the messiness of actual teenage life, including family pressure, social anxiety, and the fear of not living up to someone’s expectations.
The series uses New York City as a third character, with locations like The Strand Bookstore, Central Park, and various holiday markets becoming integral to Dash and Lily’s love story. These settings provide both romantic backdrop and practical challenges as the characters navigate their growing feelings through increasingly complex dares and revelations.
Supporting Characters and Family Dynamics
The supporting cast, including Dante Brown as Boomer and Troy Iwata as Langston, creates authentic teenage friendships that ground the romantic fantasy in realistic social dynamics. Lily’s relationship with her grandfather and Dash’s complicated family situation add depth to their characters while explaining their different approaches to love and relationships.
Jodi Long as Lillian/Mrs. Basil E., Lily and Langston’s maternal great-aunt, and Arthur’s sister provides wisdom and support for Lily’s romantic adventure. The series excels at showing how family relationships shape our capacity for love and our willingness to take emotional risks.
Netflix Success and Disappointing Cancellation
The new Netflix series is a charming fantasy straight out of the most hopeful fanfic dreams. The series holds a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb, reflecting its appeal to both young adult romance fans and holiday movie enthusiasts. The show was praised for its authentic portrayal of teenage feelings and its creative use of New York City locations.
It took almost a year for its fate to be decided, but ultimately Netflix decided to cancel Dash & Lily after only one season in October 2021. The cancellation disappointed fans who had become invested in the characters and wanted to see their relationship develop beyond the holiday season. Netflix ordered an 8-episode adaptation of Levithan and Cohn’s novel in October 2019, with Joe Tracz serving as series showrunner.
A Holiday Romance Worth Rediscovering
If you love heartwarming holiday romances that celebrate the magic of New York City, young love, and the power of written communication, Dash & Lily is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This beautifully crafted show proves that sometimes the best connections happen when two people take the time to really get to know each other through words rather than superficial encounters.
Why This Canceled Gem Still Sparkles
Dash & Lily succeeds because it treats teenage emotions with respect while capturing the genuine magic of falling in love during the most romantic time of year in the most romantic city in the world. This thoughtfully crafted series offers viewers a chance to experience the butterflies of first love through creative storytelling and authentic character development, even if that journey was cut shorter than fans hoped.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 8 episodes (1 season)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2020
Current IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Holiday, Young Adult
Status: Canceled after 1 season
Protagonists: Austin Abrams (Dash), Midori Francis (Lily)
Supporting Cast: Dante Brown (Boomer), Troy Iwata (Langston), Jodi Long (Mrs. Basil E.)