‘Even Better Than One Day’: First Look at Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen in BBC Romance Drama You Are Here

The BBC’s upcoming romantic comedy drama adapts David Nicholls’ bestselling 2024 novel, bringing a heartfelt story of unexpected love to the screen.

Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen are teaming up for You Are Here, a new BBC romantic comedy drama that explores the possibility of finding love when life takes an unexpected turn. The first image from the upcoming series has now been unveiled, offering an early glimpse of the adaptation of David Nicholls’ acclaimed 2024 novel of the same name.

Foy, known for My Son, and Macfadyen, who starred in Succession, take on the roles of Marnie and Michael, two strangers whose lives intersect through a mutual friend. The project also reunites the actors, who previously appeared together in the 2008 Charles Dickens adaptation Little Dorrit.

With its combination of romance, humour and the challenges of midlife, You Are Here promises a thoughtful story about two people discovering a connection neither expected to find.

Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen embark on an unexpected romance

The story unfolds along England’s Coast to Coast Walk, a scenic trail stretching from the Lake District to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire. After being brought together by their mutual friend, Marnie and Michael unexpectedly find themselves embarking on an adventure across the English countryside.

According to the official synopsis, their journey gradually leads them towards a relationship neither had been seeking, yet one that could turn out to be exactly what they need.

The series centres on the complicated journey from loneliness to love, examining the obstacles that can arise in midlife and the uncertainty that comes with opening yourself up to another person.

As the synopsis explains, Marnie and Michael travel coast to coast through beautiful, and sometimes rain-soaked, landscapes while trying to make sense of an attraction that feels both thrilling and frightening.

Their developing relationship sits at the heart of the drama, with the journey providing a backdrop for a story about companionship, emotional vulnerability and the unexpected ways people can find one another.

Karla Crome joins the cast

Alongside Foy and Macfadyen, You Are Here features Karla Crome as Cleo, the mutual friend responsible for bringing Marnie and Michael together for a weekend in the Lake District.

Josiah Green-Mhlanga and Tom Stourton also appear in the series, adding to the cast of the BBC production.

The adaptation is written by David Nicholls himself, who returns to his own novel to bring the story to television. Lenny Abrahamson, the acclaimed director behind Normal People, is directing the series.

The creative team brings together Nicholls’ experience writing emotionally nuanced romantic stories and Abrahamson’s work on character-driven drama, making the adaptation one to watch for fans of thoughtful, relationship-focused television.

You Are Here has already earned comparisons with One Day

Expectations are high for the television adaptation, given the warm reception that greeted Nicholls’ novel when it was published in 2024.

The book received praise for its blend of humour, emotional depth and vivid descriptions of the English countryside. The Sunday Times named it among its best novels of the year, describing it as Nicholls’ most satisfying love story yet.

Red also praised the novel, with one review declaring it even better than One Day, Nicholls’ much-loved earlier romance. Meanwhile, GQ highlighted its ability to balance wit with emotion.

The Independent drew attention to the novel’s central romance, comparing its two midlife protagonists to Dexter and Emma, the central couple in One Day. The review also praised Nicholls’ evocative portrayal of quintessentially British landscapes.

These responses reflect the qualities that have made Nicholls’ work resonate with readers: recognisable characters, sharp observations about relationships and an understanding of how love can emerge at unexpected moments.

David Nicholls shares his excitement about the adaptation

Nicholls has expressed his enthusiasm for bringing You Are Here to television, praising the production team and the casting of its two leads.

He said he was delighted to be working on the project with Element, the BBC, Starz and Lenny Abrahamson, whose work he had admired for many years.

The author was equally enthusiastic about Foy and Macfadyen, describing them as ideal choices for Marnie and Michael. He praised their abilities in both comedy and drama, as well as their thoughtful and sympathetic performances.

Nicholls also explained that his original vision was to explore a relationship in close detail while placing it against the grandeur of the English landscape. He hopes the television version will retain that balance, combining an intimate character study with a sweeping adventure.

His ambition is to create a story that is funny and dramatic, with the emotional depth to make Marnie and Michael’s journey meaningful beyond the romance itself.

The author added that the team could not wait to bring the pair’s story to the screen.

When will You Are Here be released?

You Are Here will air on the BBC, although an official release date has yet to be confirmed.

With Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen leading the cast, David Nicholls adapting his own novel and Lenny Abrahamson directing, the series brings together a team well suited to its mix of humour, romance and emotional complexity.

For viewers drawn to love stories about second chances, unexpected connections and the uncertainties of starting over, the upcoming drama offers a promising new take on midlife romance. Its journey across the English countryside provides the setting for a relationship that neither character planned, but that may ultimately change both their lives.