It's swoony stuff: British graduates Emma and Dexter meet for the very first time on the night of graduation, before heading their separate ways the following morning – but this one, overnight encounter is enough to irrevocably affect the course of their lives.
The romantic novel One Day captured worldwide attention as soon as it came out in 2009, even spawning a (little-loved) film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. And now, the story is set to return once again, this time as a Netflix series, which will land on the streaming platform just ahead of Valentine's Day on February 8. Like the book, the 14-part show follows the pair's complicated love affair through the lens of the same day every year from 1988.
The synopsis reads: “Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.”
Here's our guide to the host of characters, and who plays them.
Ambika Mod plays Emma Morley
Emma is an idealist and English student from a humble background. She is intelligent, witty and has ambitions to become a published author when she meets Dex. We meet her just as her university chapter draws to a close. The pair haven't got a clue of what they are in for as they embark on a romantic adventure of love and heartbreak.
Ambika Mod, who plays Emma, earned acclaim with her breakout role in This is Going to Hurt as Shruti Acharya, for which she was awarded a Royal Television Society Award. Eagle-eyed fans may also recognise her from I Hate Suzie Too, in which she plays one of the Dance Crazee crew members.
Leo Woodall plays Dexter Mayhew
One Day's leading man is Dexter, most commonly referred to through the show as Dex. He is from a background of wealth and privilege and is Emma's main love interest. Although she is a constant for him in life, he can be unreliable and rather too laid-back, simply walking through it all with an infuriating ease and assurance.
Dex is played by Leo Woodall who audiences will recognise for his scene-stealing role in the second series of The White Lotus as the louche Jack (who strikes up a romance with Portia), for which he won a Screen Actor's Guild Award.
Essie Davis plays Alison
Both of Dex's parents want to see him fulfil his potential and to find his calling in life. His mum, Alison, is glad Dex has a friend like Emma to help him along the way.
Alison is played by the Australian actress Essie Davis. Some of her more notable roles were in The Slap and The White Princess, but she's best known as the bohemian aristocrat detective Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Amber Grappy plays Tilly
Tilly is Emma’s closest friend from the University of Edinburgh – that is, before Emma and Dex get to know each another. From this point, the girls' friendship takes a few turns.
Amber Grappy, who plays Tilly, graduated from LAMDA in 2022. Audiences may know her from Smoth, Wreck and The Baby.
Jonny Weldon plays Ian
Ian is an aspiring comedian, and at one stage becomes Emma's boyfriend. The two meet while working together at a Mexican restaurant in London.
Jonny Weldon is perhaps best known for his roles in House of the Dragon and The People We Hate at the Wedding.
Eleanor Tomlinson plays Sylvie Cope
Sylvie is Dex’s most serious girlfriend as an adult. The more serious the relationship becomes, the more he aspires to impress her aristocratic family, including her father Lionel, who comes from old money and ideals.
Eleanor Tomlinson, who plays Sylvie, has built an impressive CV, including roles in Poldark as Demelza, Channel 4's smash-hit The Couple Next Door, The Outlaws and The White Queen.
Joely Richardson plays Helen Cope
Sylvie’s mum, like the rest of her family, has a very competitive nature, which could directly impact her daughter's relationship with Dex.
Joely Richardson, who plays Helen, is part of an acting dynasty, as the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and the director Tony Richardson. Her late sister was the actress Natasha Richardson, who was married to Liam Neeson. She has made her own name in the industry, and is best known for her role in the famous D.H. Lawrence adaptation Lady Chatterley, in which she played the titular aristocrat opposite Sean Bean, and as Julia McNamara in the TV series Nip/Tuck, in which her mother Vanessa played her character's mother in a number of episodes.
