Shattered bonds and secrets unveiled: One Night might be your new TV obsession

With Big Little Lies and Broadchurch long over, no elevated mystery drama series has arisen to fill that void. Could this Australian production be your next binge?

This article was produced for Paramount+.

Who has the right to tell a story? It’s the question at the heart of Paramount+ Original’s six-part mystery-drama One Night.

The narrative unfolds around three women who grew up in a small coastal town on the New South Wales South Coast: Simone (Nicole da Silva), Hat (Yael Stone), and Tess (Jodie Whittaker). Once childhood friends, they are bound by a traumatic event that took place one night 20 years ago—an event that continues to haunt them.

Created and written by the award-winning Emily Ballou (The Slap), the story starts when Simone pens an anonymous ‘fictional’ novel. Becoming an overnight sensation, the book triggers an unraveling of hidden secrets and memories.

Without any closure at the time, that night continues to replay endlessly in their minds. Simone is tormented by memories, Tess grapples with dissociative amnesia, and Hat is consumed by guilt. This single event has shaped the women into who they are today. But what really happened that night?

The book’s success derails the friendships and unearths old wounds in the small coastal community, unsettling those responsible who wish to bury the past. Lines between reality and fiction blur, and personal memories and stories intertwine. The book becomes a legal matter.

The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks, with each episode deftly teasing the truth, exposing the chilling events in this seemingly idyllic setting. The main cast are supported by a talented local ensemble cast, including Kat Stewart, George Mason, Erroll Shand, Noni Hazlehurst, Tina Bursill, Damien Strouthos, and Jillian Nguyen.

With a sophistication that echoes renowned shows like Broadchurch and Big Little Lies, One Night brings an unapologetically Australian flair to the screen, capturing the nuances of small town politics, Australianisms, peppered with swear words delivered in a relaxed, drawling accent.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the New South Wales coastline and iconic Sydney locations, the mystery unfolds in sun-drenched scenes that remind us of the cinematic beauty of our very own backyard. 

This article was produced for Paramount+. Stream all episodes of One Night now, only on Paramount+

Originally published as Shattered bonds and secrets unveiled: One Night might be your new TV obsession