AtaraxiaReleased a few years ago, Dash & Lily is an eight-episode series available on Netflix, created in 2020. Completely addictive, it shook up the platform upon its release, and honestly, four years later, we still can’t get enough of it. More than that, we’re still not over it and are hoping for a sequel.
Created by Netflix, the series is an adaptation of the book by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn. With actors like Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, Dante Brown, and Troy Iwata, Dash & Lily is a romantic Christmas-themed series with episodes lasting around 25 minutes each.
Dash, a teenager who hates Christmas, decides to spend the holiday alone. He lies to both his divorced parents (who only communicate through him) by telling each that he’s staying with the other. To pass the time, he goes to a bookstore, one of his favorite pastimes. There, he stumbles upon a red notebook that challenges him with a series of riddles. Naturally, he starts playing along and begins searching for his mystery pen pal.
Lily, on the other hand, loves Christmas but is tired of spending the holidays alone. She leaves a notebook in her favorite bookstore, daring an unknown stranger to a challenge. From there, the two start exchanging dares, leaving clues for each other to discover. Dash helps Lily step out of her comfort zone, while Lily helps Dash learn to appreciate Christmas.
Our Thoughts
Dash & Lily is the perfect series to revisit every year. Though it has sadly fallen into obscurity, it remains an ideal holiday binge-watch. Their heartwarming story will capture the hearts of everyone, whether you’re more of a Dash or a Lily.
The plot also invites a little self-reflection as the year comes to an end. Watching Lily push her boundaries inspires us to make similar efforts. Beyond being a quintessential Christmas story, Dash & Lily doesn’t shy away from humor, delivering 25 minutes of pure emotion per episode. Often funny enough to make you laugh out loud, it also tugs at the heartstrings, with a finale that might just bring a tear to your eye.
Initially, I was skeptical about the cast, as something felt slightly off about their dynamic. However, as the series progresses, the actors’ chemistry grows, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in Dash and Lily’s story.
It’s a shame there isn’t a sequel. While the ending is satisfying, the characters are so endearing that it’s hard to move on without them.
For those who are curious or love books as much as we do, you’ll be thrilled to learn there are three novels in the series. So, the story of Dash & Lily doesn’t have to end with the show. For others, it’s unfortunate that Netflix didn’t continue the adaptation.
If you don’t have access to Netflix, you can always grab the books and spend Christmas with Dash & Lily. For those who do, here’s the link to the series: Dash & Lily on Netflix.
If you’re more into Christmas movies, we’ve compiled a list of our top five here:
5 Christmas Movies You Need To See On Netflix
And if you loved Dash & Lily’s books and are looking for more Christmas-themed reads, here’s this year’s top picks:
THREE CHRISTMAS BOOKS YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST REVISIT DURING THE HOLIDAYS
You now have everything you need to have a magical Christmas, whether you spend it alone or with loved ones. Embrace the Christmas spirit and step out of your comfort zone like Dash & Lily this year. As for us, we’re off to rewatch the series again because it’s just that amazing. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!
