When was the last time we all found ourselves shedding a tear in front of our telly, wishing we could rewind the past five hours?
I’ll tell you; it was on February 8 when Netflix released its version of David Nicholls’ heart-wrenching novel One Day.
Set at the University of Edinburgh, Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley cross paths on graduation night and try to have a one-night stand – as far as flings go, the evening is a disaster but a beautiful friendship emerges from it.
The pair hail from completely different backgrounds: Emma is an eccentric working-class lass with dreams bigger than the heavens and Dex is a handsome lad whose only ambition after university is to travel – seriously, that’s it, he can barely grasp the idea of a career. And when they’re together? Well, they’re simply rom-com magic, reports the Mirror.
As they go their separate ways post-university, viewers track their separate yet often intertwined lives for two decades – through dreadful jobs, chaotic marriages, and even a Parisian love affair.
This, of course, isn’t the first adaptation of the romance novel but its predecessor falls short in comparison, which is quite an achievement considering the formidable Anne Hathaway starred in the 2011 film. Although, if you remember her accent in the movie, you wouldn’t be shocked that it scored a dismal 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Upon its release, Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod’s revamped and very contemporary (albeit set between the 80s and 2000s) Emma and Dex took the internet by storm and rightly so.
One Day plunges you deep into the lives of its characters in a way that other romance dramas could only dream of. Although I’ve never been to Edinburgh or performed on stage, Emma’s character felt familiar, like someone I knew.
Ambika Mod’s portrayal of Emma is not one of self-assuredness or confidence about her future. She represents every woman – more specifically, she mirrors the women I know.
It’s worth noting that Emma’s ethnicity significantly altered my view of the story. As a woman of colour who has read the book and seen the film, I had never envisioned myself in her position until now.
Apart from its stellar casting, the drama also successfully addresses painfully relatable themes. Initially, we grapple with the uncertainty of the future, followed by the stress of working odd jobs to make ends meet, and ultimately, immense grief.
If I were to liken the series’ ability to depict real life to other dramas, it would be comparable to Friends or Issa Rae’s Insecure. However, what sets One Day apart is its ability to hit all the emotional notes in just 14 brief episodes.
If the countless TikTok videos of fans shedding tears over the series aren’t enough to demonstrate its impact, then let the statistics do the talking.
The limited series attracted 15.2 million viewers within 20 days on the streaming platform and earned an impressive 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is one of the few releases this year that has almost universally satisfied both critics and casual viewers.
It’s not unusual for a Netflix sensation to dominate the world for a spell, but the impact of One Day makes it my top pick for 2024’s best show.
After all, if it wasn’t for Dexter Mayhew, I wouldn’t have a clue when St Swithin’s Day is.
One Day is available to stream on Netflix