One Day at a Time

Penelope Alvarez is a newly single Latina nurse trying to rebuild her life while raising teenage daughter Elena and younger son Alex in a bustling multi-generational household. Living with them is Penelope's mother Lydia, whose blunt, old-school opinions clash with the kids and sometimes with Penelope herself. The series follows their daily routines, arguments, celebrations, and small victories as they handle work, school, dating, money, and health issues with humor and frank talk. Scenes move between sitcom setups and more serialized emotional beats, letting characters grow over time without giving away any major surprises or endings.

Created by Mike Royce and Gloria Calderón Kellett, the 2017 reboot updates Norman Lear's 1975 classic for a contemporary audience. It premiered on Netflix and keeps sitcom timing while allowing longer character arcs and topical storylines across episodes and seasons.

The show earned attention from critics and industry groups for its performances and focus on Latino representation, garnering several nominations and wins from organizations that spotlight diversity in television. Rita Moreno's turn as Lydia was singled out repeatedly, helping the series reach viewers beyond its initial fanbase and attract awards interest in acting and cultural categories.

One Day at a Time made an impact by centering a modern Latinx family in mainstream comedy, addressing mental health, immigration-related concerns, and LGBTQ issues in straightforward terms. Fans connected with its realistic household scenes, and online conversations and fan work highlighted how the series pushed for visibility and honest portrayals of everyday struggles.

Overall reception was positive, reflected in a user vote average near 7.8 out of 10 and steady critical support. Reviewers noted the mix of laugh lines and emotional honesty, and recurring themes include family resilience, intergenerational conflict, caregiving burdens, and the tension between cultural tradition and contemporary life. The show balances sitcom warmth with topical storytelling, making character relationships the central draw.