“One Day” is a charming series about friendship, grief and expectations. Based on the acclaimed novel by David Nicholls, as adapted by Nicole Taylor, the U.K.-set narrative follows Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) for almost 20 years, from 1988 to 2007. Beginning with the euphoric evening of their college graduation, the duo move in and out of each other’s lives, forming a bond that transforms over time.
Thoughtful and gutting, the 14-episode drama is told in a series of vignettes, checking in on the pair on the same day, July 15, across the decades. Dexter and Emma are strangers who collide as the show opens, flirting briefly and then splitting in opposite directions. Sharp and earnest, Em is well aware of Dexter’s reputation as a playboy. Though intoxicated by his piercing attention, she has no illusions about his true intentions with her. But what’s compelling about Dex (or at least Woodall’s portrayal of him) is that he’s surprising at every turn.
In their early 20s, Dex and Em have distinct visions for their lives. Dex lacks drive, but his affluent upbringing gives him unbridled confidence. This arrogance also leads him to take advantage of his loved ones. In contrast, Em has a rigid and distinct plan for herself and struggles to stay afloat mentally when her dreams don’t unfold accordingly.
The 20-something years are often portrayed as a period of frivolity. While Em and Dex experience this aimlessness, “One Day” presents a more nuanced view. Being a young adult can be very painful. Family members may die, friendships may change, careers are in flux and romances can feel earth-shattering. Dex is thrust into a public-facing job, quickly encountering the joys and pitfalls of fame. Though Em finds meaningful work as a teacher, a writing career and a passionate relationship feel out of reach. As the two move through their 20s, envy and unrequited desires strain the relationship they’ve worked to maintain.
Though “One Day” is beautifully bingeable, it does have one glaring omission. Viewers spend a great deal of time with Dex, his vibrant mother, Alison (Essie Davis), and his reserved father, Stephen (Tim McInnerny). Yet there are no sightings of Em’s family and barely any mention of them. Casting an actress of Indian descent for the lead role was clearly a deliberate choice since the character is white in the novel and was portrayed by Anne Hathaway in the 2011 film adaptation. It therefore seems careless that Em’s heritage has no real significance to the fabric of this story.
Despite that notable erasure, “One Day” succeeds. Mod and Woodall have a lovely chemistry that teeters between deep intimacy and sexual tension. Additionally, the show never villainizes the characters, even when they’re at their most atrocious. Age relieves youth of long-held naiveties. Time proves that even the best of us are capable of doing terrible things. Instead of shaming Dex, Em and the people surrounding them for faltering, the show carefully unpacks their decisions, depicting how they reverberate across all aspects of their lives.
Unlike the 2011 film starring Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, which felt both monotonous and abrupt, Netflix’s “One Day” soars because the audience lingers with the characters. Entire episodes are devoted to either Em or Dex, with little regard for what the other might be experiencing on that particular day. Episode 6 takes place in 1993 and follows a tragic chapter in Dex’s life, while Episode 8, set in 1995, depicts a turning point for Em personally and professionally. In addition to spending time with the characters across 14 episodes (a rarity for Netflix), casting English actors with authentic English accents adds to the realism.
“One Day” is an homage to friendship, and to those who add meaning to our lives. Though there are moments of romance, the show is no fairy tale. Instead, it presents the experience of being alive for precisely what it is, with all the magic and anxiety that come with it.
“One Day” premieres on Netflix Feb. 8.
