One Day: All four versions of the hit romantic drama explained - as new musical debuts in Edinburgh

It’s the latest itinerations of a teary (they sell branded One Day branded tissues in the auditorium) romantic drama that’s partially set in Edinburgh - with Arthur’s Seat providing the backdrop to a major plot point (no spoilers!).

Read more: One Day: Writers Nicole Taylor and David Nicholls on turning his hit novel into an epic TV romantic drama

The story was first written as a novel, before hitting the big screen, followed by the small screen, and now onstage.

Here’s everything you need to know about all the different versions.

What is the plot of One Day?

One Day follows the 20-year relationship of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, two students who meet at a graduation ball after graduating from the University of Edinburgh. They then go their separate ways, with Dexter heading off to go travelling and Emma returning home,

The plot revisits their whereabouts each year on July 15 (St Swithin’s Day) each year between 1988 and 2007, and shows how their lives unfold in very different ways, as Dexter becomes a famous television star and Emma works as a waitress before becoming a teacher. Meanwhile, their relationship changes with every passing year, as they meet and leave new partners.

The book

The story of One Day was first told in the novel by David Nicholls, which was published in 2009.

It was a huge success, topping the bestseller list and winning the 2010 Galaxy Book of the Year.

To date it has sold more than six million copies worldwide and been translated into over 40 languages.

In the UK it has sold around 30 million copies and was the best selling book of the year in 2011, shifting a remarkable 60,000 copies in a single August week.

It was largely well-received by critics, and has an average rating of just under four stars (out of five) from over 400,000 ratings on book review website Goodreads.

The film

David Nicholls adapted his own book to write the screenplay of One Day, which came out in 2011 - explaining why the novel sold so many copies that year.

Directed by Lone Scherfig, it starred Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess as Emma and Dexter, with Patricia Clarkson, Ken Stott and Romola Garai in supporting roles.

Various locations in Edinburgh were used, including Arthur’s Seat, while the rest of the filming was carried out in France and London.

The film was a critical failure, with just 36 per cent of reviews positive according to aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, barely half of cinemagoers rated it as being a good film.

Despite that it was a commercial success, grossing around $60 million at the worldwide box office, on a production budget of just $15 million.

The television series

In 2024 a television series of One Day was released on Netflix - based on both the book and the film.

Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall starred as Emma and Dexter, with a supporting cast including Eleanor Tomlinson, Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny, Jonny Weldon, Brendan Quinn, Billie Gadsdon, Toby Stephens and Joely Richardson.

It premiered on February 8 and became that week’s most watched programme on Netflix with 9.9 million views.

The 14 episode limited series was a critical hit, with 92 per cent of critics and 86 per cent of audiences rating it positively, again according to Rotten Tomatoes.

Filming for the series took place in a number of places in Edinburgh, including The University of Edinburgh's Old College, the city centre, the West End, the Old Town and Arthur’s Seat.

The musical

The musical version of One Day (fittingly entitled One Day: The Musical) opens at Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre this week and runs until April 19. You can bag tickets here.

With a book written by former Lyceum Artistic Director, it stars Sharon Rose and Jamie Muscato as Emma and Dexter, with a supporting cast including Dan Buckley, Tanisha Butterfield, Miracle Chance, Josefina Gabrielle, Kelly Hampson and Peter Hannah.

It features 21 musical number (including reprises) written by Abner and Amanda Ramirez with additional lyrics by Jeremy Sams.

For only the third time in the theatre’s history, the production is ‘in the round’, meaning the Lyceum has been transformed into an immersive space with the audience surround, and even sitting on, the stage. You can even get a drink at the onstage bar in the intermission.

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