It’s the novel that has sold five million copies around the world and has been published in over 40 languages. Finally, after a long wait, the Netflix adaptation of David Nicholls’ bestseller, One Day, is available to stream.
The streaming service first commissioned the five-part series in 2021 after acquiring the TV rights to the book and after a three-year wait, and we promise the series is as good as you'd hope for it to be.
For the uninitiated, One Day, which was first published in 2009, is the will-they-won’t-they, decades-spanning love story of two friends who find that somehow life has a funny way of derailing their plans. Naturally, the book itself and Nicholls have amassed quite the fanbase, particularly after the novel was adapted into a film in 2011 starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. We can already hear the inevitable breaking of hearts the world over. Tissues at the ready! This is everything you need to know about Netflix’s adaptation of One Day.
What is the plot of One Day?
One Day is the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew who, on July 15 1988, the night of their graduation from Edinburgh University in, speak for the first time. Per Netflix’s official release, ‘The next morning, they go their separate ways but where will they be on this one ordinary day the next year, and the year after that, and every year that follows?
‘Each episode finds Dex and Em, one year older, on this one particular date, as they grow and change, move together and apart, experience joy and heartbreak.’
Speaking to the Radio Times, Ambika Mod, who plays Emma, admitted that the series will be able to dedicate ‘more time’ to the events of the book, which is helped by the fact that the script of the Netflix series was written by Nicholls himself.
‘I really enjoyed the film, but I think a lot of people felt that – and I would agree – that an hour-and-a-half movie isn't usually enough to dedicate to this epic novel that spans 20 years,’ she explained.
‘So, hopefully, in our series we’ll be able to cover more ground and sort of zoom in on the story with more detail… I think the way that our writers are going about it is really beautiful, and hopefully people will just be able to see more of the book in the series.’
Who will star in One Day?
The White Lotus’ Leo Woodall plays the titular Dexter, who stars opposite This Is Going To Hurt’s Mod. As well as Mod and Woodall, the One Day cast also stars Poldark's Eleanor Tomlinson, who will star as Dex's wife Sylvie.
The cast is fleshed out by Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny, Toby Stephens and Joely Richardson.
When will One Day be released?
Netflix has confirmed that One Day will be available to stream on February 8, 2024. Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Naomi May is a freelance writer and editor with an emphasis on popular culture, lifestyle and politics. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard as its Fashion and Beauty Writer, working across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Acting News Editor at ELLE UK and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others.
