From a 1995 bottle of washing-up liquid to the 1980s burger phone – One Day has been hailed for its ‘flawless’ set design which ‘perfectly’ revives the 80s, 90s, and early noughties.
But in reality, the much loved Netflix adaption of David Nichols’ romantic novel which has gripped the nation over the past month, does in fact feature a number of glaring mistakes.
The 14-part series follows Emma, played by Ambika Mod, and Dexter, portrayed by Leo Woodall, who form an unlikely bond when they meet on July 15, 1988 at Edinburgh University with each episode revisiting them on that specific date.
But it appears the set design struggles to keep up with the fast-moving years as characters drive around in cars that weren’t invented, eat at unrealistically priced restaurants and drink from the wrong wine glasses.
Emma has a fling with the headteacher of the school she works at in episode eight, set in 1995, but he drives a Ford Mondeo MK2 a model which wasn’t made until 2000.
Despite the much loved Netflix adaption of David Nichols’ romantic novel, One Day gripping the nation over the past month, it does also feature a number of glaring mistakes
The 14-part series follows Emma, played by Ambika Mod, and Dexter, portrayed by Leo Woodall , who form an unlikely bond when they meet on July 15, 1988 at Edinburgh University with each episode revisiting them on that specific date
But it appears the set design struggles to keep up with the fast-moving years as characters drive around in cars that weren’t invented yet
Set designers have attempted to cover up the discrepancy by sticking a J registration plate on the car which suggests it was a model made in 1991.
Emma’s drama troupe similarly tour in a van from the mid-90s during the show’s second episode which was set in 1989.
Instead, set designers put a C registration plate on it to suggest it was made in the late 1980s.
One viewer shared their dismay with the number of automobile inaccuracies in the hit Netflix show on X and wrote: ‘More terrible car choices in One Day on Netflix.
‘Dex arrives at his girlfriend’s parents’ house driving a Mercedes SL instead of the E36 M3 everyone of his age with money drove in 1996.’
Social media users were also quick to point out that some items of the characters’ clothes were too modern including Emma’s iconic yellow top worn by Ambika in the first episode which is set in 1988.
For the third episode, Emma and Dexter meet in 1990 on Primrose Hill in North London and enjoy a picturesque picnic of wine and Kettle Chips.
And though set designers were detailed in ensuring that Mango Chilli Kettle Chips were invented then – it’s London’s recognisable skyline which causes the 90s facade to crumble.
Emma has a fling with the headteacher of the school she works at in episode eight, set in 1995, but he drives a Ford Mondeo MK2 a model which wasn’t made until 2000
Social media users were also quick to point out that some items of the characters’ clothes were too modern including Emma’s iconic yellow top worn by Ambika in the first episode which is set in 1988
Emma and Dexter enjoy a sunset view of the city’s skyscrapers though eagle-eye viewers will recognise that some of the buildings they look at did not exist in 1990.
The Triton Tower stands next to the bulky Euston Tower but the block of flats in Regent’s Place was only completed in 2012, 22 years after the scene is set.
While Osnaburgh Street, a 20-storey residential building beside Regent’s Park that is in clear view of Dexter and Emma, was not fully constructed until 2009.
In the following episode, Emma and Dexter enjoy a candle-lit dinner while holidaying together on the Greek island of Paros.
But the romantic scene quickly sours when Dexter reveals he always knew Emma had a ‘massive’ crush on him after they met.
Throughout the scene, the pair constantly fiddle with their wine glasses – first by seductively tracing their fingers around the rim but that descends into awkward sipping.
Unfortunately, it brings attention to the fact that if the pair were truly enjoying a wine-fuelled 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-eye fans will recognise that some of the buildings in the London skyline did not exist at that time
In the following episode, Emma and Dexter enjoy a candle-lit dinner while on holiday on the Greek island of Paros, and the pair constantly fiddle with their wine glasses through the scene
Unfortunately, it brings attention to the fact that if the pair were truly enjoying a wine-fuelled dinner in 1991 Greece, the glasses would have been much shorter and thicker
Set designers chose far too delicate and large glasses for that time and, instead, people dining in Greece would have drank from shorter and thicker wine glasses.
When Emma and Dexter return from holidaying together, she goes on a date with Ian to a ‘fancy’ London restaurant – which he blunderingly points out.
A specials board behind Emma advertises a salmon dish for £22 and a fillet of steak for £28, prices that would have been far too high for the city in 1992.
In keeping with inflation at the time, a salmon dish would have cost roughly £8 and a fillet of steak would be around £13.
When Emma and Dexter return from holidaying together, she goes on a date with Ian to a ‘fancy’ London restaurant – which he blunderingly points out
But a specials board behind Emma advertises a salmon dish for £22 and a fillet of steak for £28, prices that would have been far too high for the city in 1992