Alumna Ambika Mod (English Literature, St Mary's College, 2014-17) is currently starring in the recently released Netflix series 'One Day’ and has been named by a national UK magazine as a 'woman to watch' in 2024. She has received extensive media coverage, including prime time UK TV chat shows.
Ambika stars in the remake of David Nicholls’ award-winning cult classic ‘One Day’ alongside actor Leo Woodall. Based on the novel from 2009, the series follows the story of Emma and Dexter who meet at their graduation ball at Edinburgh University on 15 July 1988, and is told over the next twenty years on the same day every year. Emma and Dexter are an unlikely pair, but they fascinate each other from the start.
The series was released on Netflix on 8 February. Early reviews have been positive, with the Guardian describing the series as ‘the poetry of day-to-day life and the power of nostalgia’.
28-year-old Ambika’s career is going from strength to strength. In 2022, she starred in BAFTA winning BBC drama series ‘This is Going to Hurt’, alongside Ben Wishaw. Ambika played junior doctor, Shruti Acharya, in the bittersweet drama that blends comedy with the hard-hitting realities of working in the NHS. Based on the diary entries of creator Adam Kay, the series follows a fictionalised version of the highs and lows of relentless shifts, 97-hour work weeks and the terrifying life-and-death decisions that must be made in the blink of an eye.
While studying at Durham, Ambika was keen to hone her comedy and acting skills alongside her studies. She took part in acting and sketch comedy through the university's Revue, performing at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and serving as the society’s President in 2017.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Ambika helped to lift the spirits of our alumni community by presenting lockdown talent show ‘The BIG Durham Talent Show’ alongside her then comedy partner, Andrew Shires. Together they were the comedy duo ‘Megan from HR’. The talent show ran through the summer of 2020 and was a huge hit with alumni.
We will continue to follow her journey with pride.
Find out more;
Welcome to our alumni community
Durham student enrichment opportunities
Netflix One Day trailer
The BIG Durham Talent Show Final
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