Netflix's new series One Day follows friends-turned-lovers Emma and Dexter, who have been together for nearly two decades, telling the story of their slow-burn romance through vignettes in their lives on the same day each year. If this sounds familiar, it's probably because Anne Hathaway starred in the 2011 film version. However, both works are based on the 2009 novel of the same name by David Nicholls, which can be said to be a standout .
The limited series, which airs on February 8, will dedicate an episode each year to Emma and Dexter's love story. Nichols told Entertainment Weekly that this was a natural format for One Day's unique narrative structure . "Between making the film and making this version, it's almost like this new medium was invented," he said. "Streaming TV is more like the experience of reading a novel than a movie."
Can’t wait to find out what happens? Here's a handy guide to the ending and plot summary of The Book of a Day for reference while you watch.
their graduate friendship
On July 15, 1988, Emma and Dexter dated for the first time after graduating from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. They shared their fears about growing up—she wanted to change the world, he just wanted to live a cool, glamorous life.
They did not date but developed a close friendship. Emma tries to become a playwright and finds work in a London restaurant, while Dexter travels the world. The two exchanged letters, with Dexter once writing to express his feelings for her and inviting her to travel abroad with him. However, the fateful letter was lost before he could send it.
But they stayed close, even taking a trip to Greece, where they both longed for each other in their hearts - but tried not to break the "rules" of their friendship.
things get complicated
Over time, Emma and Dexter's relationship experienced its ups and downs. While Dexter found success as a television host, he struggled with substance abuse when his mother became ill and died. Emma began working as a teacher and dating a comedian named Ian, which frustrated Dexter because it limited her time and attention to him.
Things came to a boiling point during a remembrance dinner in 1995, when Dexter's mean behavior proved to Emma that he had changed for the worse.
They are no longer friends for the time being. Emma breaks up with Ian and has a brief romance with her principal, while Dexter begins a relationship with a woman named Sylvie. Emma and Dexter eventually reconcile at a mutual friend's wedding, where Dexter reveals that he's getting married and having a baby. In early 2000, his daughter Jasmine was born.
Finally together, but...
Dexter and Sylvie's relationship breaks down when she is having an affair, and one night he sleeps with Emma. She later said she was just a "shoulder to cry on" and nothing more.
Still, when Emma heads to Paris to write her next book, Dexter visits and makes her rethink her new French boyfriend. Finally, the two decided to start a real relationship together.
With Emma's help, Dexter opens a cafe in London. They married and raised Jasmine together, raised their children with Sylvie, and tried to have children themselves.
On July 15, 2004, Emma rode her bicycle to meet Dexter at the house he was considering buying. But on the way there, she was hit and killed by a car.
After Emma's death, Dexter went through a rough time and started using drugs again. But with the help of his father and Sylvie, he can process the trauma. He starts dating Maddie, the cafe's manager, and eventually takes Molly to Arthur's Seat in Scotland, just like he once did with Emma. The book ends with a flashback to their first days together, when they say goodbye to the summer.
