Netflix’s British Tearjerker ‘One Day’ Will Submit for Primetime Emmys in Limited Series (EXCLUSIVE)
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Netflix’s romantic drama “One Day” is set to contend at the Primetime Emmys in the limited or anthology series categories, Variety has confirmed.
Speculation had mounted over whether “One Day,” set in the U.K., would vie for the International Emmys, especially considering other Netflix shows like “Sex Education” have competed there and found success. Yet, Netflix and the team behind the show have opted to place it in the intensely competitive limited or anthology series categories, alongside streaming counterparts “Griselda,” starring Sofia Vergara and “Ripley,” featuring Andrew Scott.
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“One Day” stars Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall will both vie for lead acting consideration. The specific episodes to be nominated for directing and writing are still under consideration, adhering to Emmy guidelines that allow directors and writers to select their episodes.
Adapted by Nicole Taylor from David Nicholls’ popular novel, “One Day” charts the poignant journey of friendship and loss between Emma Morley (Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Woodall) over nearly two decades, from 1988 to 2007. Starting on the night of their college graduation, their relationship evolves through various life stages.
Variety’s chief TV critic Aramide Tinubu praised the series as “beautiful and heartbreaking,” further describing it as “an homage to friendship, and to those who add meaning to our lives. Though there are moments of romance, the show is no fairy tale. Instead, it presents the experience of being alive for precisely what it is, with all the magic and anxiety that come with it.”
Launching in third place on Netflix with 5.3 million viewers in its initial four days, “One Day” climbed to the top spot the following week, amassing 9.9 million views.
Netflix has a great track record of strategically positioning its roster of series where they stand the best chance at Emmy success, as evidenced by “Sex Education’s” International Emmy win for comedy series in 2022, and “Heartstopper’s” five wins at the Children’s & Family Emmys the same year, including for outstanding young teen series.
With the 2023 Emmys ceremony pushed to January, the campaign for nominations is already underway, and FYC (For Your Consideration) events are already taking place. The sector for limited or anthology series faces stiffer competition compared to comedy and drama, with entries like “Fargo,” “Shōgun,” and “True Detective: Night Country” in the race. The limited or anthology category’s nomination count varies based on submissions, requiring at least 80 for six nominees and over 240 for eight, with recent years seeing only five nominees. Drama and comedy series automatically recognize eight series each. It might be time for that rule to change.
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