Netflix’s One Day and the Enduring Popularity of Sad Romances

Photo Courtesy of Netflix

Spoilers ahead.

‘One day’, the novel written by David Nicholls (2009) has hit our screens in the new Netflix adaptation. The book has been adapted into a 14-part series, based on the meeting of two characters Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Meyhew (Leo Woodall), on July 15, 1988. The story follows the lives of these two young people, from the night they meet at their graduation from the University of Edinburgh and their lives through the next 20 years.

Emma and Dexter are depicted to be from distinctly different circumstances; Emma hails from a working-class background, working on her love for writing and teaching, whereas Dexter portrays an upper-class man, who is financially supported by his parents. This dynamic enables the story to deviate from what viewer’s expectations, allowing for variations of how the story might play out, what obstacles they will face, and whether they remain a significant role in each other’s lives. 

The uniqueness of the plot lies in its structure, being that the audience only views what happens on the 15th of July every year, which speeds up character development to prioritise essential parts of their story, with the in between events being subtly referenced. For instance, we don’t see the death of Dexter’s mother; only her deterioration and the effect this has on him. While some might perceive this structure as constraining the narrative, I believe that it highlights the significant parts of their romance, rendering it more thrilling to discover their respective accomplishments during the year that has elapsed.

The South Asian community has particularly praised Mod’s portrayal of Emma Morley. Considering actress Anne Hathaway played Emma in the film adaptation of the book; Mod, who comes from a minority background, elevates the story’s representative quality. Mod openly admits that the criticism of her casting continues to expose the double standards within the film industry, especially in the romance genre.

The finale episode evokes profound emotion through Dexter’s performance, as we view the first-hand effects of Emma’s absence on him. The producers, for those who are not familiar with the book, made the death of Emma very abrupt and unexpected because the scene plays out during a more hopeful part of the plot; when the couple is preparing for their wedding, exploring prospective homes and both encountering new career prospects.

However, what truly stands out in the finale is the intentional illustration of the parallels between Dexter and Emma, through the ascent of Arthur's seat and Dexter’s later stroll with his daughter up the same hill; skillfully captured by the alternating camera shots between each scene. Ending the television series in this manner allows for the ending to seem hopeful, suggesting that Dexter will eventually adapt to a life without the presence of the person who has been by his side for two decades.