One Day - series adaptation on Netflix, starts Feb 8th

[Netaporter]

Anyone fancy a watch thread? Loved the book by David Nicholls, loved the film, but it’s never really gained a strong following for some reason? The series stars Ambika Mod (This is going to hurt) as Emma and Leo Woodall (The white Lotus) as Dexter.

I finished sixth form in 1991 and went to Uni from 1991 to 1994 and yes, I can remember a lot of racism, casual
and accepted racism.

I feel some people complaining that they didn't like Emma and she wasn't played right - why would Dexter who is hot and travelling Europe etc etc be pulled back to Emma, either haven't read the book or loved the Anna Hathaway version.

Dexter is a very flawed human being- as it played out in book / series, you could even argue at points a bit of a loser. For Dexter he always sensed something was missing, he was bored of the vacuous posh totty he partied with, he was uncertain what life after partying would bring him, he saw something different in Emma, something that then became his anchor, she steadied him.

Plus she is very beautiful just not 6ft blonde hair, perfect facial features , but where had any of that got him already, he wasn't interested in the females that he had slept his way through, he met someone in Emma that didn't drop her knickers the first time she met him and didn't just giggle at everything he said.

His mum was straight talking, slightly abrasive and passionate, he obvs saw those traits in Emma.

No there isn't any indication of loss, just frustration that it's not happening for them.

I feel some people complaining that they didn't like Emma and she wasn't played right - why would Dexter who is hot and travelling Europe etc etc be pulled back to Emma, either haven't read the book or loved the Anna Hathaway version

I have read the book several times and hated the film version.

Wayyyyyy too hot for this character. He was meant to be all tweedy!

Really? He gave me the serious ick! Even if the actor was attractive (can’t really remember) the character was so awful.

The film was cast dreadfully , Anne Hathaway with her fake accent was completely wrong . I’m not sure Ambika was perfect but she was so much better than the film which tbf was a complete flop. Personally I think someone like Claudia Jessie would have been good although she’s probably a bit too old maybe or there’s a young actress in Slow Horses . But that said the whole point is that Emma is the complete opposite of who Dexter would be expected to be with and vice versa.

I feel some people complaining that they didn't like Emma and she wasn't played right - why would Dexter who is hot and travelling Europe etc etc be pulled back to Emma, either haven't read the book or loved the Anna Hathaway version

Not me. Loved the book (my favourite ever) and wasn't a fan of the movie. Still thought Emma was dreadfully miscast and not played well. It just didn't work.
Admittedly it did get better towards the end, and Dex was spot on (although looked too young in the later episodes).

Us was adapted for TV a few years ago.

Ooh didn't know that! Thanks!

Had she been sparky and feisty and funny she would have been perfect. I am sure that she is a good actor as I said upthread. But - she played Emma as dull, snippy, over serious and way too sarcastic.

Yes! There is a spark in Emma Morley (in the book) but I didn't see anything like this in her for the first few episodes of the tv series. Just dour and sour and miserable. In the book she had hope and ambition early on and was excited about life, despite lacking confidence - she was very miserable while working in the Mexican restaurant, yes, but wasn't always like that! The portrayal of Emma did improve in the later episodes and I tho8ght the last few were very good, but my goodness those first 5 episodes were dire.

I loved the casting of Emma and Ambika Mod is beautiful, just unconventional.

I’m glad they didn’t do the sparky fiesty thing which sounds very Manic Pixie Dream girl.

Just finished it. Still furious about that scene! Thought watching the series might help me get over it or feel more philosophical but it’s just made me cross and sad all over again, think it was unnecessary.

@ENeale no - an unwelcome period while TTC but nothing of the sort you mention.

Georgie henley might have been a good casting.

I’ve finished it now. What a brilliant series.

Here’s an in depth interview with the casting director explaining how/ why they cast Ambika and Leo in the lead roles- very interesting and informative

Apparently Ambika didn’t want the role to start with - it was her favourite book and she couldn’t see herself as Emma, but she changed her mind

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/the-industry/casting-director-rachel-sheridan-netflix-one-day/

^ in the interview linked above, the casting director explained how the actor who plays Tilly (Amber Grappy) was originally considered for the role of Emma, but she pulled out due to another project.

I’ve just finished it, the last episode was just so sad, I properly cried my eyes out 😭.
The flashbacks actually showed Emma as less harsh than at the beginning I thought.
Anyway I’m a total mess now, I was going to read the book but don’t think I can handle it now!

I hadn’t heard of the book or previous film so came to this cold but was at uni in that era.

I agree with others that in reality, he wouldn’t have pursued her after she brought him home but refused sex and just wanted to talk. That was how it was back then.

And I struggled to reconcile him remaining interested for so long without sex. The lack of sex would become such a huge issue it would all get very dysfunctional.

I also don’t know anyone who stays in love in that way for more than about 2 years never mind 20. The head teacher’s drab relationship (what do you want for dinner?) is the reality.

So it's rather depressing that the only way for love to survive is if the woman dies.

But it’s fiction and the point of the story that they had a connection big enough to break norms.

Ultimately I loved it and found it gripping, beautiful, moving and thought provoking.

And if anyone else who liked it has recommendations for similarly good films or series, they'd be most welcome...

I've just starting reading the book again for the billionth time and I've decided that no visualisation can ever capture the fabulousness of it!

It's almost like David Nichols has been rifling through my attic looking at letters.
Having the first proper sort out recently from uni days - 1990, I have letters & postcards from so many people, loads I would have claimed who wouldn't have written to me. Lots were sent to my parents address then forwarded. I still have everyone's parents address from those days.

We grow up under AIDS, so in a lot of uni circles there was a lot less sex then there should have been. The pattern of hang around together, share a bed, not quite get it together, write letters, send letter to announce new girlfriend occurs a few times. I'm really sorry I didn't have a lot more sex looking back.

My friends at uni were less racist then their parents. We were all shockingly ignorant, but really quite open to learning. Sikh lads returning after holidays having cut their hair was a big thing. A significant proportion of us saw university as a chance to break away from our childhood groups whether that was religious, cultural, class or heritage. It was a chance to live like common people even just for awhile.

This is exactly what I thought, Thank You for explaining it far better than I ever could have!

Has anyone else started googling old flames and friends from university? This discussion has really got me thinking. I met my husband while at university though we were in different cities but had a few flings beforehand. I hadn’t been a popular girl at school but uni was a revelation. There really was something energising about those times. The idea of what our lives were going to be and getting excited about books and music as Emma says towards the end of the series.

Maybe because it’s half term this week so I have the time to brood but this series really has struck a chord.

'Normal People' on BBC Iplayer.