David Nicholls’ 2009 novel One Day is a lot like two busy people having a close friendship. Despite your best efforts, you only manage to meet once a year to catch up, rinse and repeat. Much the same happens here, only our date with characters Emma and Dexter takes place annually on the same day (15 July). As two decades unfold in just 20 days, from 1989 to 2009, we see these new graduates attempt to build careers and forge love affairs, never losing sight of their platonic friendship (and its ever-present frisson of sexual tension).

Unlike the 2011 film, this new Netflix drama feels more rooted in reality. Not least because the programme-makers had 394 minutes to play with (across 14 episodes), rather than 108, allowing our connection with Emma and Dexter to build at a more meaningful pace. The attention to detail is laudable, with cars parked on Edinburgh streets, tiles on London Underground walls, and seat upholstery on buses all looking just as it did back then. 

But most importantly of all, this TV version captures the beating heart of Nicholls’ novel. Ambika Mod (who brings a welcome diversity to the story) as Emma and Leo Woodall as Dexter are utterly human and believable as our protagonists. She wants to make the world a better place, he wants to make a name for himself, both struggle to know their own worth. This well-paced drama lets us join them on every step of their emotional journey. 

One Day is available now on Netflix.