Netflix's New 'One Day' Adaptation Wants to Make You Swoon This February

It's never a bad time for a good love story. And for those of us who've been clamoring for more romance in our lives—or who are just trying to get through the weeks until Bridgerton is back next spring—Netflix is stepping up its game this Valentine's Day with the launch of its new series One Day. Based on David Nicholls' bestselling novel of the same name, the limited series will follow the story decades-spanning love story of its central couple, who reunite with one another on the same day each year. 

If all of this sounds weirdly familiar, it's because this same story was turned into a feature film with Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess back in 2011. But part of the appeal of Netflix's take on Nicholls' book is how, exactly, it will be reimagined as a fourteen-part British television series. (It's got a lot more room to run, is what I'm saying.)

The story follows students Dexter and Emma, who first meet on July 15, 1988, just as they're both graduating from college. The pair share an instant connection, but since they know they're both leaving town the following day, they refrain from taking things any further and decide to stay friends. Even so, neither can stop thinking about the other, even as the years go by and they lead increasingly separate lives. The series follows them both on the same day—July 15—for the next twenty years as the two weave in and out of each other's lives, one year older in each episode and grappling with their own choices, desires, and regrets. 

The series' star-crossed leads will be played by This is Going to Hurt breakout Ambika Mod and The White Lotus Season 2 star Leo Woodall. 

"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." Mod told the Radio Times. "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."

Former Poldark star Eleanor Tomlinson will play Sylvie, a woman who gets involved in a relationship with Woodhall's Dex. (The role in the film was played by Romola Garai.) The series' ensemble cast also includes Essie Davis (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), Amber Grappy, Jonny Weldon (The Outlaws), Joely Richardson (Renegade Nell), and Toby Stephens (Treat Yourself).

Here's the series synopsis. 

One Day tells the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew who, on 15th July 1988, the night of their graduation, speak for the very first time. 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. One Day is a decades-spanning love story, based on the worldwide bestseller by David Nicholls.

One Day hails from a team of writers led by BAFTA winner Nicole Taylor (Wild Rose), alongside Anna Jordan (Killing Eve), Vinay Patal (Doctor Who), and Bijan Sheibani (Morning Song). The series is directed by Molly Manners (In My Skin), Kate Hewitt (Life), John Hardwick (Follow the Money), and Luke Sneilin (Wanderlust). The seires is produced by Drama Republic, with Roanna Bern,  Jude Liknaitzky, Nicholls, and Taylor serving as executive producers. Nige Watson is series producer.

The series will officially premiere on Netflix on February 8, 2024.