Netflix: “One Day” starring Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod

In the United Kingdom, July 15 is the feast day of Saint Swithun, the patron saint of Winchester who has a reputation for working miracles. Legend has it that if it rains on Saint Swithun’s bridge on that date, forty days of rain will follow.

The legend has nothing much to do with rain in “One Day” (Netflix) but July 15, 1989 does commemorate the beginning of the star-crossed romance between Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall from “White Lotus,” Season 2), two fresh-faced graduates of Edinburgh University.

During an evening of graduation-day revelry that particular July 15, Dexter notices Emma chatting with her girlfriends on campus from afar and is smitten. He asks if she’d like to “have a drink,” she agrees, they go back to her flat, but instead of hooking up, they merely…talk.

Next morning they take a short hike, talk some more, and vow to stay in touch. They part, Dexter for a post-grad trip in Europe (he’s wealthy), Emma back to her working-class family home in Leeds. But it is clear a lasting connection has been forged.

The 14-episode series follows Dex and Emma’s relationship over the next 20 July 15’s, as their lives converge and diverge. The extroverted Dex becomes an MTV-type host due to his striking good looks. He enjoys all the perquisites of celebrity, including fancy cars and the instantaneous adoration of women. Emma, uncertain of her future, becomes a teacher but harbors a secret desire to do something big.

It soon becomes clear, however, that good looks will take Dex only so far, and after a few years, his fast-lane life, due to alcohol and drugs, begins to fall apart. He meets rich beautiful Sylvie (Eleanor Tomlinson) who falls for his celebrity and they begin to date. Emma, meanwhile, acquires a nerdy BF Ian (Jimmy Weldon) who loves her but whom she doesn’t love back. Ian does convince Emma that she should write a book incorporating all her quirky doodles and she takes him up on the idea.

The underlying theme of “One Day” is wondering when Emma and Dex realize they’re made for each other. A bit formulaic and not altogether novel (see also “Love Story” and “The Way We Were”), the series, based on the best-selling 2009 novel by David Nicholls, succeeds, due to the strength of the actors.

Mod is perfect as the snarky, nerdy girl who begins to blossom as she reaches adulthood and unexpected success. Woodall proves he is more than just a pretty face, convincingly portraying the rich kid who never quite gets his life together.

As if it isn’t already obvious, I liked One Day” very much. Caution: it is unabashedly romantic, and if you do not well up with tears during the final episode, I have serious doubts about your emotional well-being. Enjoy with all your heart. And even though it’s not yet July 15, Happy Saint Swithun’s Day to all.

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