Netflix’s Best Romance Only Needed 14 Episodes To Become A Masterpiece

Published Sep 13, 2026, 12:16 PM EDT

Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes.

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They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer.

In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18.

Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity.

Netflix’s best romance show of all time tells a truly remarkable love story, and it only took 14 episodes for the series to become a masterpiece. While it doesn’t get as much attention as other genres, TV romance shows are going strong, and Netflix has made a name for creating really great onscreen love stories.

Shows like Bridgerton and Nobody Wants This have become massive hits thanks to spectacular casts and compelling relationships. They have both continued for multiple seasons because viewers simply adore them. An even longer-running romance show from the streamer is Virgin River, which will return for season 8 sometime in 2027, likely earlier in the year. However, a show doesn’t actually have to run for that long in order to tell an epic love story.

Miniseries can tell just as strong a love story in a shorter amount of time, which is perfect for binge-watching. Netflix’s best romance show is proof. Based on the book by David Nicholls, One Day is a standout series that . The story was previously adapted as a movie, but the miniseries blows it out of the water. Ultimately, it only needed 14 episodes to earn its masterpiece status.

Emma & Dexter’s Epic Romance In One Day Is An Emotional Roller Coaster

One Day tells the story of Emma Morley, a young woman from a working-class family, and Dexter “Dex” Mahew, a young man from an affluent family, who meet at a graduation party in 1988 at the University of Edinburgh. They go back to Emma’s to hook up, but they end up spending the night talking and sleeping in the same room. They wake up the next morning and decide to spend one day together on July 15 before parting ways. However, they keep in touch. The TV show follows Dex and Emma every year on the same day for 14 years.

Some critics and viewers strongly recommend knowing the spoilers for this show before you watch. I disagree. However, if you want to know, here's what happens at the end of One Day.

For starters, Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod have palpable chemistry. Even when Dex is acting completely immature or Emma is hard-headed, it’s impossible not to root for them. They are like magnets. Plus, the writing brilliantly sets up their back-and-forth romance. It's easy to root for the couple from the very first episode because Dex and Emma are obviously crazy about each other. Their romance is far from a straight line, though. The pair is also a key example of “right person, wrong time.” Netflix’s One Day takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster as Emma and Dex try to figure things out.

Neither Dexter nor Emma is the perfect love interest, and they can be infuriating sometimes. They both carry their own insecurities. Each carries their own emotional baggage shaped by their life experiences. It takes a long time for both of them to be emotionally ready and live compatible lives. In the meantime, they have a really strong friendship to anchor them. Ultimately, Dex and Emma's relationship journey will absolutely wreck viewers, but every second is worth it because it’s clear they have an epic love that sticks through triumphs and hardships.

One Day’s Creative Decisions Make It A Work Of Art

Plenty of shows have a great script and top-notch actors. However, One Day stands apart from others because it’s not just a brilliant story. It’s also a technical success. The two most notable technical elements are the cinematography and soundtrack. One Day has jaw-droppingly gorgeous visuals, with plenty of natural light and subtle visual texture that helps distinguish one year from the next. The camerawork feels extremely intentional, with parallel movements, shot angles, and lengths when Dex and Emma are apart to show that they’re still connected.

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One Day's soundtrack feels brilliantly curated. The song selection establishes the time period, which matters for a romance spanning 14 years, and it also subtly shapes the tone. This is furthered by the costuming and hair, which makes it feel like the characters are actually aging, despite filming for about half a year. One Day also strategically uses color to reflect Emma and Dex's inner experiences. Blue represents loneliness, grief, and sadness. On the other hand, the gold and yellows represent the hope and love that Emma brings to Dex’s life.

Because One Day is just as technically brilliant as it is emotionally moving, the Netflix miniseries still deserves appreciation and attention two and a half years after its release. If you haven’t seen the show yet, now is the time to fall in love with this opposites-attract love story. If you have watched it before, Dex and Emma's love story will be waiting for you when you're ready to relive the beauty and heartbreak of this truly epic romance.