One Day has become a hit for Netflix and has led to many fans of the series going back to the 2011 film adaptation, grabbing second-hand copies of the book it was adapted from too. The story of Emma and Dexter came to life through an interesting production, with filming taking place in various parts of Europe to reflect the long journey of the characters as we check in on their relationship every year.
Where was One Day filmed?
London
There are many locations used in the series, and a lot of work was shot in famous and easily spottable landmarks in London. Eagle-eyed viewers would notice Primrose Hill, The Savoy Hotel, Hatfield House, Benington Lordship, and Charlton Lido as well as the Old Suffolk Punch, which is one of Hammersmith’s oldest pubs, being used as the restaurant where the couple work.
Europe
As we follow the couple through the years we visit many places, and the most noteworthy includes Rome Dex in Episode 2. Dexter meets his mother at a hotel, which was recorded at two hotels near Piazza Navona.
Piazza Navona | Image via Headout
Greece
By Episode 4, the couple ends up in Greece, and location work was recorded on Paros, a beautiful Greek island.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The couple has their first encounter in Edinburgh, and Scottish fans will instantly recognize The University of Edinburgh, and in particular, the courtyard of the old college. After they hook up in Episode 1, you can see the pair spending time at the massive hill that overlooks the country’s capital and is part of Holyrood Park. The hill is known as Arthur’s Seat and is what is left of an extinct volcano that erupted millions of years ago.
Production Timeline
- In November 2021, Netflix would order the adaptation, setting the ball in motion.
- In June 2022, Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall were announced as the two leads.
- In November 2022, lead actress Ambika Mod would reveal that the production would cover a lot more of the original novel than the film had.
- Principal photography started in London on July 4th 2022, then it was off to Edinburgh. Presumably other location filming would be done throughout the year.
- By January 19th 2023, filming wrapped in London.
- One Day debuted globally on Netflix on February 8, 2024.
Who was the showrunner?
Nicole Taylor was the showrunner for One Day and made one particular decision that was imperative to keeping the story faithful to the novel. In an interview, Taylor would explain the reason for keeping the story’s finale intact, and how things could have gone another way.
Could One Day have ended differently in the TV series?
In an interview with The Wrap, showrunner Nicole Taylor said that there was a point where the story could have been changed, leaving things with a happier ending. But in the final cut, it was decided to stick with the more tragic ending. Taylor would say:
“I was thinking about other endings, but fundamentally, that ending is stitched into the work as a whole. The story kind of has its own thematic integrity, it has its own structural integrity. I feel like the overall meaning of the piece requires that, and I felt like any changing of the ending would be gratuitous and undermine the overall impact of the piece so I think it was the right thing to have a good think about it, question it and not just take it as given.”
As far as we are concerned, the right decision was made.
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