Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama One Day, which has completely taken Netflix by storm and become one of the most emotionally devastating yet beautiful romance series that will leave you completely heartbroken.
One Day premiered on February 8, 2024, delivering 14 episodes of approximately 38 minutes each on Netflix. This British romantic drama limited series, created by Nicole Taylor, is based on the 2009 novel by David Nicholls and serves as a fresh adaptation following the 2011 film version.
The series follows the 14-year relationship of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, who meet at a graduation ball after graduating from the University of Edinburgh. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall star in the lead roles, bringing fresh energy and authentic chemistry to these beloved characters.
Set across two decades, the show explores the complexities of love, timing, and fate by checking in with Emma and Dexter on the same day (July 15th) each year, creating a unique narrative structure that captures the evolution of their relationship and individual growth over time.
The night of their graduation from the University of Edinburgh
On July 15th, 1988, the night of their graduation from the University of Edinburgh, Emma Morley, a sharp English major, and Dexter Mayhew, a campus playboy, meet for the first time. Attraction sparks between them, but reality quickly gets in the way, and they go their separate ways the day after.
The series then follows their lives by revisiting them on the same date each year, showing how their paths diverge and reconnect over two decades. Emma pursues her writing career while working various jobs, while Dexter navigates his privileged lifestyle and eventually finds his footing in television.
Their relationship evolves from friendship to romance, with the series exploring themes of missed opportunities, personal growth, and the impact of social class differences on relationships. The narrative structure allows viewers to witness how small moments can shape entire lives.
Main Character A: Emma Morley’s Journey
Ambika Mod delivers a powerfully authentic performance as Emma Morley, capturing the character’s intelligence, wit, and determination with remarkable depth. Emma’s journey from an idealistic graduate to a woman finding her place in the world is portrayed with nuance and emotional honesty.
Mod brings vulnerability and strength to Emma’s character, showing her struggles with career disappointments, financial difficulties, and the complexities of maintaining her friendship with Dexter despite their different social backgrounds. Her performance makes Emma both relatable and inspiring.
The character’s evolution throughout the series showcases her resilience and growth, particularly as she navigates the challenges of pursuing her dreams while dealing with the complicated dynamics of her relationship with Dexter.
Main Character B: Dexter Mayhew’s Transformation
Leo Woodall’s portrayal of Dexter Mayhew is equally compelling, showing a character who undergoes significant transformation from a privileged, somewhat shallow young man to someone who learns the value of genuine connections and personal responsibility.
Woodall brings charm and vulnerability to Dexter’s character, making him likeable despite his flaws and mistakes. His chemistry with Ambika Mod is undeniable, creating one of television’s most authentic and emotionally resonant romantic relationships.
The character’s journey through addiction, career struggles, and personal growth is handled with sensitivity and realism, showing how privilege doesn’t protect someone from life’s challenges and how genuine love can inspire positive change.
Supporting Characters and Time Progression
The series excels at creating a rich supporting cast that includes family members, friends, and romantic interests who appear throughout the decades. Each character feels fully realized and contributes to the overall narrative tapestry.
The unique structure of checking in on the same date each year allows viewers to see how relationships evolve and how small moments can have lasting impact. The series effectively uses this device to show the passage of time and the way people change.
The supporting characters serve as anchors for different periods in Emma and Dexter’s lives, providing context for their individual growth and the changing dynamics of their relationship.
Success on Netflix
One Day has achieved an impressive 8.0/10 rating on IMDb and received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation of David Nicholls’ beloved novel. The series was the most-watched series globally during the week of February 12, 2024, with 9.9 million views, demonstrating its immediate impact with audiences worldwide. Critics have praised the chemistry between Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, with many noting that this adaptation succeeds where the 2011 film fell short. The series has been described as an emotionally devastating yet beautiful romance that captures the essence of the original novel while bringing fresh perspective to the beloved characters.
If you love emotionally complex romance, decades-spanning love stories, and characters who feel authentically human, One Day is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
One Day delivers a masterful adaptation that honors David Nicholls’ novel while creating a deeply emotional viewing experience that explores love, timing, and the profound impact of human connection across time.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 14 episodes (Limited Series)
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.0/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Romantic Drama / Limited Series
Main Characters: Ambika Mod (Emma Morley), Leo Woodall (Dexter Mayhew), Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny
Antagonist: Time, circumstances, and social class differences rather than a single antagonist