My Oxford Year

Sofia Carson stars as Anna De La Vega, an ambitious American who lands a coveted spot at Oxford University, only to find her carefully mapped-out future colliding with an unexpected romance. Directed by Iain Morris, this romantic comedy-drama adapts Julia Whelan's novel of the same name, with a screenplay co-written by Whelan, Allison Burnett, and Melissa Osborne. The cast includes Corey Mylchreest as the charming Brit Jamie Davenport, alongside Esmé Kingdom, Harry Trevaldwyn, Dougray Scott, and Catherine McCormack. With music by Isabella Summers and cinematography by Remi Adefarasin, the film runs 1 hour 53 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating.

Released on July 31, 2025, as a Netflix original, the film drew 28.4 million viewing hours in its first week, signaling a warm reception. Carson spent three weeks living in Oxford before filming, attending lectures to prepare for her role, while Mylchreest brought firsthand knowledge as a former Oxford student. The production secured rare filming permissions at Christ Church's Great Hall and the Bodleian Library's Duke Humfrey's Library. British poet laureate Simon Armitage contributed an original poem for the climax, and the soundtrack, featuring Carson's original song "Oxford Dreams," was released on July 25, 2025.

The film has been noted for featuring a Latina protagonist in a lead romantic role, a relatively rare occurrence in mainstream romantic comedies. Following its release, Oxford University reported a 40% increase in international application inquiries, and Julia Whelan's novel saw a 300% sales boost, hitting #1 on the New York Times paperback fiction bestseller list.[edit]

Anna De La Vega, a determined American student from a working-class background, arrives at Oxford University after winning a Rhodes Scholarship. She is immediately struck by the ancient university's beauty and tradition but feels like an outsider among the privileged British students. She befriends her warm, eccentric roommate Maggie Timbs and the flamboyant Charlie Butler, who becomes a confidant. She also encounters the reserved and handsome Jamie Davenport, a fellow student who initially seems aloof and dismissive of her American enthusiasm.

The central conflict emerges when Anna discovers that Jamie is not just a student but also her tutorial partner for a demanding literature course. Despite their rocky start, they are assigned to work together on a major project analyzing the works of Romantic poets, particularly William Wordsworth. As they spend more time together, their initial antagonism gives way to deep intellectual connection and undeniable chemistry. However, complications arise when Anna learns that Jamie is hiding a serious personal struggle. He appears distracted and occasionally misses tutorials, leading Anna to suspect he might not be taking their work seriously. Meanwhile, Anna's family back home faces financial pressures, and she struggles with guilt over being so far away while they struggle.

The story follows Anna and Jamie through Oxford's iconic traditions: formal dinners, punting on the River Cherwell, and late-night study sessions in the Bodleian Library. Their romance blossoms against the backdrop of Oxford's dreaming spires, but a shadow looms. Jamie's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and Anna begins to question whether she can trust him or if he is hiding something that could destroy their connection. The film builds toward a major revelation about Jamie's health that threatens to upend everything they have built together. Anna must decide whether to follow her carefully crafted life plan or embrace the unpredictable path of love, even if it means facing heartbreak.[edit]