Netflix viewers want the One Day ending to be changed

The Netflix adaptation of One Day, based on the book and subsequent movie of the same name, has left viewers absolutely heartbroken — so much so that some are calling for the ending to be changed. 

If you’re looking to break your heart on Valentine’s Day, One Day is well worth a watch. The romance drama centers on Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, who speak for the very first time on July 15, 1988. Each episode finds Dex and Em on this exact date but one year later, spanning 20 years of their relationship and its ups and downs. 

This is far from the first time we’ve seen this story. One Day started out in 2009 as a book by David Nicholls, before being adapted into a 2011 movie starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. 

However, the Netflix series — which dropped earlier this month — has received praise thanks to its longer format and its impeccable performances from leads Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod. But fans are taking issue with the show’s ending. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Netflix viewers want the One Day ending to be changed

The ending of One Day — in the book, film, and series — sees Emma tragically die, leaving Dexter to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild his life alone. It’s truly one of the most heartbreaking resolutions, one that’s left viewers in floods of tears. 

While you couldn’t have One Day without that ending, some are calling for it to be changed, wishing that Netflix had chosen to stray from the source material. One Redditor said the show has taught them that they “hate sad endings” and that “Em’s death feels unnecessary.”

In response, another commented, “Vanity fair wrote the same thing: beautiful series but the OG ending sucks. Heavy handed and emotionally manipulative. Like all bad romance novels. Wish they didn’t stay true to the book. Ruined the series for me.”

A third agreed, writing: “I don’t think it needed to be that way. All great love ends in heartbreak regardless, so I was hoping they just time skipped to their 90s to be honest. It left me feeling like this wonderful lady and glorious example of brown girl representation in media was just built up so thick-headed himbo Dexter could have a character arc. Maybe harsh words but I’m both sad and mad.  

“A bit ‘women in fridges’ to me. I will say, at least she wasn’t voiceless after her death and they did convey that Dexter knew her enough to imagine a conversation over a bottle of wine. The rest of the series, besides the ending, is a great watch.”

A fourth added: “Right! Such an outdated ending that very few realize is an affront to women. I dont think it’s too harsh or over the top to say that. I wonder if there was someone in that writing room that said let’s not go with book ending. Curious to hear. Esp because a POC woman was heroine — how did no one say ‘lets rework this based on 2023!’. Instead all they did was cast a POC and ticked that one box.”

Not everyone agrees, however, with one viewer commenting: “The ending is good, too many shows these days go with the classic happily ever after ending. The sadness is real and it’s comforting to know you are not alone in it.”

Plus, if the creators had decided to veer away from the source material, it’s likely the Netflix adaptation would have received just as much backlash for doing so.