For years, I have avoided watching the 2011 film adaptation of One Day, starring Anne Hathaway. The David Nicholls novel holds a special place in my heart, helping reignite my love for reading after college dulled my enthusiasm. The idea of witnessing Dexter and Emma’s story altered for the screen felt like a disservice to their love story.
When Netflix announced a new mini-series adaptation of One Day, my initial instinct was to ignore it. However, as the positive reviews began pouring in and emotionally charged reactions from new viewers circulated online, I eventually gave in. I’m thankful that I did, as the series is nothing short of stunning.
The show traces Dexter (played by Leo Woodall) and Emma (portrayed by Ambika Mod) over the span of 20 years, capturing key moments in their relationship. A one-night encounter in college evolves into a long-lasting friendship that teeters on the edge of romance. The 14-episode structure offers enough breathing room for the story to unfold naturally, allowing each year’s snapshot to resonate deeply. Nicole Taylor’s script amplifies the essence of the original material.
At its core, the beauty of One Day lies in its deeply flawed yet realistic characters. Woodall shines, bringing more to his performance than what we’ve seen of him in The White Lotus. His chemistry with Mod is electrifying, a balance between sweet affection and undeniable intensity. Mod, in particular, delivers a star-making performance, breathing life into Emma in a way that feels both intimate and authentic. Yet, Mod almost passed up on the role.
Much like myself, Mod was initially hesitant about participating in an adaptation of such a beloved story. Despite her admiration for One Day, she doubted whether she could embody Emma. But in her heart, she knew the answer was yes. Hearing her speak about the role as “life-changing” reveals the depth of thought she put into her portrayal. Mod brings a wisdom to Emma that transcends her years, and it’s hard not to admire her for it.
In an interview with Awards Daily, Mod shared her thoughts on the story: “I read the book at a pivotal moment in my life. This is going to sound strange, but I found it really hopeful: the idea that your life can take multiple paths, and maybe life doesn’t look the way you thought it would, but you’ll end up where you need to be. There was something beautiful about that.”
When asked what One Day means to her, Mod reflected on how her connection to the story has evolved over time. She first read the book as a teenager and immediately fell in love with it. When she was offered the audition for the series, however, she initially turned it down. Mod explained, “I loved the book so much, and I loved Emma so much, that I just didn’t see myself in that part. It took a lot of convincing from other people and myself that it was a good fit.”
The journey of filming the series was a transformative one for Mod. “The shoot lasted eight months,” she recalled, “Leo and I were basically in every frame. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” The demanding schedule left little room for preparation between projects, and Mod admits she was somewhat naive about the task ahead. “I hadn’t been acting professionally for very long,” she said. “This project changed my approach in so many ways.”
Despite the challenges, Mod is proud of the outcome. She believes that the time and effort spent on the series were essential to achieving the depth required to tell Dexter and Emma’s story. “When I watch the show, it traverses 20 years and is this epic love story. There’s no other way it could have been done,” she said. The emotional and physical toll of the project was significant, but Mod credits the trust she placed in the material and her co-stars for helping her push through.
One of the most interesting aspects of the series is the way it spans two decades. When asked how she approached portraying Emma over such a long period, Mod explained, “I don’t ever think about the future of a story when I’m filming a scene; just like in life, our future does not inform our present, except in our heads.” Each year’s episode in One Day is isolated from the others, which allowed Mod to focus on the specific moment without worrying about what was coming next.
For Mod, the key to understanding Emma was tracking her personal growth. “The main throughline was always charting how her confidence grows,” she said. “In the beginning, she lacks so much self-esteem, but she works hard, achieves things, and finds a sense of stability. That, for me, was the main throughline I followed in terms of her character.”
Looking back on her experience, certain moments on set stand out to Mod. “Filming the Arthur’s Seat scene was a highlight,” she shared, referencing the iconic location from the novel. “It’s a place that’s always meant a lot to me as a comedian who’s performed in Edinburgh.” Another key moment was filming the intense argument between Emma and Dexter in episode seven. “I was really scared about it,” she admitted. “I hadn’t done anything of that emotional height before, and I didn’t know how to approach it.” Yet, despite her initial fears, the scene evolved naturally, drawing on Mod’s deep understanding of the book’s key chapters.
Despite her initial reservations about the series, Mod is thrilled by the response it has received. As the show garners more attention and awards buzz, Mod remains humble. “I’m just happy people are responding to the show and enjoying the work,” she said. “We poured everything, every last drop of our hearts into it.”
Reflecting on how much she saw of herself in Emma, Mod marvels at the fact that audiences now see themselves in her portrayal of the character. “To think that my portrayal is now a version of Emma for a younger generation is mind-blowing,” she said. For Mod, who grew up with the book, the idea that her performance is now part of the One Day legacy is something her younger self could never have imagined.
Ultimately, One Day has been a defining moment in Mod’s career. It is a project that has challenged her, shaped her, and brought her immense pride. The series stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of Nicholls’ story and the power of love, growth, and self-discovery that resonates with viewers of all generations.