Netflix has yet again struck gold with its 14-episode series,One Day.Since the show’s release on Jun 02, 2025, it has climbed to the top of Netflix’s Global Top 10 chart, spending its third week in the list’s second spot. The series is an adaptation of author David Nicholls' 2009 novel of the same name. This is also not the first time the author’s work has been adapted to screens, with the novel being adapted into a movie starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess in 2011.
Similar to otherNetflix original showsthat have become a hit for the streamer, the success ofOne Dayhas given rise to a pressing question from fans: Will there be a Season 2? The most obvious answer to the question would be no, given that the series wrapped up quite neatly and covered its source material. However, withOne Day’s resounding success and the hopes of fans, Netflix may try to make a follow-up season work.
One Day Is a Heart-Wrenching Tale of Love and Loss
One DaySeason 1 was a poignant story of love, friendship, happiness, loss, and grief. Setting itself apart from the plethora ofromance-centered filmsand TV series that dominate the entertainment industry today,One Daytakes a unique approach to love. The series follows its protagonists, Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall), whose paths first cross on the night of their graduation. Steering clear of diving head-first into a romantic relationship, the duo chooses to remain just friends, and there begins a unique love story that keeps viewers hooked throughout its 14 episodes.
Dexter and Emma grow together. After graduating from college, the duo evolved through relationships, careers, and other personal struggles. They experience the numerous emotions that life has in store, with their friendship, at times, suffering the consequences. Through it all, spanning a period of twenty years, one day, Jul. 15, plays a vital role in the lives of Emma and Dexter. Despite not exactly having a happily-ever-after ending,One Dayconcludeson a bittersweet note, leaving viewers with contentment amidst tears.
Should One Day Get a Season 2?
From the get-go,One Daywas intended to be a limited series. Given this, the plot was created to wrap up in just one season. Staying true to its designation, the story of Emma and Dexter came to a bittersweet ending with the conclusion of the show’s 14 episodes, with seemingly no other promising avenues left for a follow-up season to explore. The season saw brilliant writing, great performances, andwell-developed character arcsand plots. Moreover, in following its protagonists through 20 years of life, Season 1 of the series has completely covered its source material. With the events of the novel comprehensively adapted to screens, it is unlikely that the narrative can be taken further.
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Given the closure that the ending ofOne Dayprovided, an attempt to stretch the story of Emma and Dexter across another season may take away from the success that Season 1 of the series has achieved. This becomes especially true because a follow-up season will have to weave a narrative void of Emma. The possibility of Season 2 achieving success with an Emma-less narrative seems quite slim and may amount to a mistake if Netflix chooses to push ahead.
The Future of One Day on Netflix
Although Emma and Dexter’s story has come to a close, there are a few options that Netflix could explore if they wish to continue withOne Day.One option that the streamer could look at is carrying on the premise ofOne Day,where a couple meets on one day each year for a number of years with an entirely new couple. If Netflix adopted such a narrative, it would be interesting to see how the streamer differentiates the new story from Emma and Dexter’s.
If Netflix did go ahead withOne DaySeason 2, it would also not be the first time that a show intended to be alimited series was extended for consecutive seasonsdue to overwhelming success and popularity.HBO’sBig Little LiesandThe White Lotuswere both meant to be standalone shows before success pushed them forward into more seasons. Similarly, one of Netflix’s shows,The Watcher,was also renewed for a second season despite initially debuting as a miniseries.
Further kindling the hopes of eager fans, it has also been reported that Netflix is in talks to move forward with anotheradaptation of author David Nicholls' booksas a sequel toOne Day.Although this likely means that the story of Emma and Dexter will remain closed, and the new series will not be a sequel in the traditional sense, fans can still look forward to yet another uniquely woven love story. According to insiders, Netflix wants to obtain the rights to Nicholls' new novel,You Are Here.The novel is set to be released in April 2024 and, as per the novel’s synopsis, follows Marnie and Michael in a story of first encounters, second chances, and finding the way home.
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One Day,with its story of Emma and Dexter, was memorable and bittersweet. The story’s unique approach to love, in following the couple through multiple stages of life and having them grow together, allowed audiences to connect with what they were seeing on screens, immersing them in the narrative.
At the time of writing, Emma and Dexter’s story appears to remain confined to Season 1. This is perhaps for the best, with a second season stretching the couple’s story being a considerable risk for the streamer. However, given the news ofYou Are Herepossibly making its way onto screens as a sequel toOne Day,all hopes for the romantics eager for another unique, heart-touching narrative are not yet lost.
