One Day, set for release on February 8th and adapted from David Nicholls’ bestselling 2009 novel of the same title, follows the tumultuous relationship between Emma Morley (played by Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (played by Leo Woodall) spanning more than a decade. The story commences in Edinburgh on July 15, 1988, known as St. Swithin’s Day in the U.K., where Em and Dex encounter each other for the first time on the eve of their college graduation. Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Emma, a diligent, working-class aspiring writer determined to make a difference, and Dexter, a privileged, carefree elitist without concrete plans for the future—a failed one-night stand evolves into a friendship that teeters on the brink of something deeper.
Previously adapted into a 2011 film, with a screenplay by Nicholls, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, One Day received harsh criticism. Ty Burr of The Boston Globe described it as “a misaligned, inadequately scripted, and uninspiringly directed rendition of a highly popular novel… a disheartening film and a prime example of mishandling book-to-movie adaptations.”
However, according to Nicholls, the miniseries format is better suited for a richer and more nuanced portrayal of his work. While Nicholls serves as an executive producer, Nicole Taylor (known for “Wild Rose”) is the lead writer for the series.
“In the film, the chapters, the days, become story beats that are part of a larger arc: links in the chain,” Nicholls explained. “In a series, each chapter, each day is a story in itself, with a beginning, middle, and an end. It often has its own style and tone; a standalone piece, a romantic comedy, a darker drama, a farce. This offers great creative freedom for the screenwriters.”
The first 12 episodes of the series revisit Emma and Dexter—sometimes together, sometimes apart—on every subsequent July 15th from their initial encounter in 1988 through 1999, chronicling the highs and lows of their relationship amidst personal triumphs, setbacks, and heartaches.
“The novel’s premise was akin to flipping through a photo album, capturing moments in time, with each day serving as a snapshot of one’s state at that moment,” Nicholls told Entertainment Weekly. “The series aims to emulate that, portraying the characters’ aging process.”
Despite numerous obstacles and their own self-destructive tendencies, Emma and Dexter struggle to sustain their connection. Their paths converge when Dexter, freshly divorced from his unfaithful first wife Sylvie (portrayed by Eleanor Tomlinson), and the mother of his daughter Jasmine (played by Billie Gadsdon), travels to Paris to declare his love for Emma. Emma, believing she has moved on, is taken aback by Dexter’s revelation and emotional reconciliation at her apartment. “I don’t think you can,” he admits, challenging her belief that she can rid herself of him.
