Series Review: One Day (2024)
I don’t know if I am emotionally ready to talk about this one. I finished this masterpiece last night and the tears were endless and even though I knew the ending I still was not ready. If you think I’ve lost the plot and am wondering what I’m talking about let me give you a quick rundown of Netflix’s new series One Day. As a heads up, this article has a lot of spoilers because how else am I going to process my feelings?
The story follows a 20 year friendship between Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley who meet on their last day of university in Edinburgh. It’s an epic tale of love, heartbreak, apathy and real life. This story is based on the novel by David Nicholls and was originally adapted to film starring Anne Hathaway. I remember going to the cinema to see this film and being so unbelievably bored as a 13 year old and never thought much more of it. But I was intrigued by the series adaptation and it did not disappoint.
The Cast
Netflix cast the fabulous Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall as the lead roles, they were supported by a perfect cast including Eleanor Tomlinson, Tim McInnerny and Essie Davis. The story was broken down into 14 episodes that focused on the same day every year, St Swithin’s Day, and we caught up with how Dex and Emma were in their post-university adult lives. Dex, the charismatic, beautiful popular rich boy was destined for great things whilst studious, socialist Emma wanted to change her corner of the world. Then life happens.
The Reviews
The series has received rave reviews deemed a masterpiece and the most relatable love story ever told. There is a reason this story is so universally loved and I feel that’s because everyone has experienced at least one of the experiences explored in the story. Whether that’s a sense of feeling stuck in life and not knowing what you want to do or the total devastation of losing someone and dealing with aftermath.
The Story
The series doesn’t glamourise life. Emma wanted to change the world but ended up working in a restaurant struggling to find purpose. Something that many people can relate to in their early twenties. What actually do you want to be when you grow up? Whilst Dexter travels Europe charming people, he returns home for a job in the media presenting late night TV shows earning a celebrity status.
However, this life catches up to him and he succumbs to a long battle with substance abuse hampering any chances of prime time TV slots. As Emma begins to gain confidence, her talents as a writer excel and she becomes a successful children’s writer. Her light shines whilst Dex’s quickly goes out.
The Jugular
When the will-they-won’t-they relationship finally happens life is good. The story is beautiful and they are each becoming their own person wanting to create life and setup for their family. Then the story goes for the jugular. Emma is killed by a careless driver. Now, as I had seen the movie I knew Anne Hathaway’s character died but due to the movie having zero emotional impact I felt nothing. When Amika’s Emma is killed, I felt everything.
Dexter reverts to his self destructive ways and we fear the worst. But through the support of friends and family he gets through and revisits where it all started, Edinburgh. We see flashbacks of the day they met, a passionate kiss and the beginning of true friendship. This may be the greatest love story ever told and despite it leaving me a crippling mess the series gets a spectacular, tear soaked 10/10.