From a 1995 dish soap bottle to the 1980s hamburger phone, One Day has been hailed for its “impeccable” set design that “perfectly” revives the ’80s, ’90s and early ’90s.
But in reality, Netflix’s much-loved adaptation of David Nichols’ romance novel that has captivated the nation for the past month actually features a number of glaring errors.
The 14-part series follows Emma, played by Ambika Mod, and Dexter, played by Leo Woodall, who form an unlikely bond when they meet on July 15, 1988 at Edinburgh University and each episode returns to them. visit on that specific date.
But it seems like the set design is struggling to keep up with the fast-moving years, as characters drive cars that weren’t invented, eat at restaurants with unrealistic prices, and drink out of the wrong wine glasses.
Emma has an affair with the principal of the school she works at in episode eight, set in 1995, but he drives a Ford Mondeo MK2, a model that was not manufactured until 2000.
Even though Netflix’s much-loved adaptation of David Nichols’ romance novel One Day has taken over the nation over the past month, it also suffers from a number of glaring flaws.
The 14-part series follows Emma, played by Ambika Mod, and Dexter, played by Leo Woodall, who form an unlikely bond when they meet on July 15, 1988 at Edinburgh University and each episode returns to them. visit on that specific date.
But it seems like the set design is having a hard time keeping up with the rapid changes of the years, as the characters drive cars that haven’t been invented yet.
The set designers attempted to hide the discrepancy by affixing a J license plate to the car, suggesting that it was a model manufactured in 1991.
Emma’s drama troupe also toured in a van from the mid-90s during the show’s second episode, which ran in 1989.
Instead, the set designers put a C license plate on it to suggest that it was manufactured in the late 1980s.
One viewer shared their dismay at the number of car inaccuracies on the hit Netflix show on X, writing: ‘More terrible car choices on One Day on Netflix.
‘Dex arrives at his girlfriend’s parents’ house driving a Mercedes SL instead of the E36 M3 that everyone his age and with money drove in 1996.’
Social media users were also quick to point out that some of the characters’ clothing was too modern, including Emma’s iconic yellow blouse worn by Ambika in the first episode, set in 1988.
For the third episode, Emma and Dexter meet in 1990 in Primrose Hill, north London, and enjoy a picturesque picnic with wine and Kettle Chips.
And while the set designers made sure Mango Chilli Kettle Chips were invented at the time, it’s the recognizable London skyline that makes the ’90s façade fall apart.
Emma has an affair with the principal of the school she works at in episode eight, set in 1995, but he drives a Ford Mondeo MK2, a model that was not manufactured until 2000.
Social media users were also quick to point out that some of the characters’ clothing was too modern, including Emma’s iconic yellow blouse worn by Ambika in the first episode, set in 1988.
Emma and Dexter enjoy a sunset view of the city’s skyscrapers, although eagle-eyed viewers will recognize that some of the buildings they see didn’t exist in 1990.
The Triton Tower sits next to the voluminous Euston Tower, but the apartment block on Regent’s Place was not completed until 2012, 22 years after the scene was set.
While Osnaburgh Street, a 20-storey residential building next to Regent’s Park that has a clear view of Dexter and Emma, was not fully built until 2009.
In the next episode, Emma and Dexter enjoy a candlelit dinner while vacationing together on the Greek island of Paros.
But the romantic scene quickly goes sour when Dexter reveals that he always knew Emma was “hugely” in love with him after they met.
Throughout the scene, the couple constantly fidgets with their wine glasses, first seductively tracing their fingers around the rim, but then ending in awkward sips.
Unfortunately, it draws attention to the fact that if the couple were actually enjoying a wine dinner in 1991 Greece, the glasses would look dramatically different.
In the third episode, Emma and Dexter enjoy a picnic in 1990 on Primrose Hill, but eagle-eyed fans will recognize that some of the buildings on the London skyline didn’t exist at the time.
In the next episode, Emma and Dexter enjoy a candlelit dinner while vacationing on the Greek island of Paros, and the couple constantly fidget with their wine glasses during the scene.
Unfortunately, it draws attention to the fact that if the couple were actually enjoying a wine dinner in 1991 Greece, the glasses would have been much shorter and thicker.
The set designers chose glasses that were too large and delicate for that era, and people dining in Greece would instead have drunk from shorter, thicker wine glasses.
When Emma and Dexter return from a vacation together, she goes on a date with Ian at a “posh” London restaurant, which he awkwardly points out.
A special offers sign behind Emma advertises a salmon dish for £22 and a beef fillet for £28, prices that would have been too high for the city in 1992.
According to inflation at the time, a plate of salmon would have cost approximately £8 and a steak would have been around £13.
When Emma and Dexter return from a vacation together, she goes on a date with Ian at a “posh” London restaurant, which he awkwardly points out.
But a special offers sign behind Emma advertises a salmon dish for £22 and a beef fillet for £28, prices that would have been too high for the city in 1992.