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One Day author David Nicholls has paid tribute to Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod as the ‘best possible’ Dex and Em as he marked St Swithin’s Day on Monday. 

In the novel main character’s Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley meet at a boozy graduation ball at Edinburgh University on St Swithin’s Day and the book revisits their lives on the same day (July 15) over the next two decades.

And 34 years since the couple met for the first time and climbed the famous Arthur’s Seat, David took to Twitter to thanks fans for all the support on his book and the subsequent TV series. 

Sharing unseen snaps of Leo and Ambika filming for the Netflix phenomenon which came out earlier this year, he wrote: ‘It’s 15th July, St Swithin’s Day, 34 years since Em and Dex climbed Arthur’s Seat, and I wanted to drop in and say a huge thank you to all the readers, booksellers, publishers and now viewers. 

‘I’m hugely grateful to the team who made the show with such care and passion, and…to Nicole Taylor and her script team, all at and of course Ambika and Leo, best possible Dex and Em.’

One Day author David Nicholls has paid tribute to the ‘best’ Dex and Em and shared unseen snaps of Leo Woodall and Ambika Mod filming the Netflix success as he marks St Swithin’s Day with a sweet Twitter post

In the novel main character’s Dexter and Emma meet at a boozy graduation ball at Edinburgh University on St Swithin’s Day and the book revisits their lives on the same day (July 15) over the next two decades

He added: ‘I count myself extremely lucky to work with such wonderful friends and colleagues. Hoping for a dry St Swithin’s Day. Thank you!’

According to folklore, July 15 is the day on which the weather for a subsequent period is dictated, therefore if it rains on St Swithin’s Day it will rain for the next 50 days. 

During the first episode after Dexter and Emma meet at their university ball, the couple decided to climb Arthur’s Seat. 

As the seeds of their love story are planted, Dex tells Emma: ‘You know, there’s a poem. If on Saint Swithin’s Day, it doth rain something, something, something remain.’ 

Emma replies: ‘Dexter, that’s beautiful.’

Throughout the rest of the show each time the couple meet up on the same symbolic day it doesn’t rain, and their relationship develops from a friendship to something much deeper. 

The pair finally realise their love for each other after almost two decades, a divorce, failed relationships, career highs and lows and loss. 

Yet tragedy strikes when on the final July 15, Emma heads out in the pouring rain only to be knocked off her bike and killed in a tragic accident. 

34 years since the couple met for the first time and climb the famous Arthur’s Seat, David took to Twitter to thanks fans for all the support on his book and the subsequent TV series

He added: ‘I count myself extremely lucky to work with such wonderful friends and colleagues. Hoping for a dry St Swithin’s Day. Thank you!’

As the seeds of their love story are planted, Dex tells Emma: ‘You know, there’s a poem. If on Saint Swithin’s Day, it doth rain something, something, something remain’

 The Netflix adaptation left viewers in floods of tears as they claimed they would ‘never get over it’ after Leo and Ambika’s incredible performance

The actress also marked the significant day as she shared a polaroid snap of her and Leo from scenes of the pair at the ball alongside the writing: ’15th July 2022′

Fans shared their replies as they remembered the sadness of the series 

It’s the first St Swithin’s Day in the entire series where it has rained as Dexter loses his soulmate. 

The Netflix adaptation left viewers in floods of tears as they claimed they would ‘never get over it’ after Leo and Ambika’s incredible performance. 

The actress also marked the significant day as she shared a polaroid snap of her and Leo from scenes of the pair at the ball alongside the writing: ’15th July 2022′. 

She added in the caption: ‘im so depressed i act like its st swithins day everyday’. 

Prior to the TV series, the novel was turned into a film in 2011 as Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess played the loveable couple. 

However the movie was met with disappointing reviews and became a critical flop, most notably for Anne’s poor Yorkshire accent.  

And it seems Ambika and Leo are also David’s favourite Dex and Em after his complimentary tweet. 

Replying to the author, fans continued to share their support for the story as they wrote: ‘thank YOU for dex and em and for forever changing the meaning of july 15’.

‘Happy St Swithin’s Day! And thank you for one of the best books ever and a fabulous TV adaptation which I adored’;

‘I was very apprehensive about the TV adaption, having loved the book and been a bit underwhelmed by the film version. It blew me away, what a wonderful retelling’; 

‘Loved the TV show. Happy 34th birthday to the story.’ 

David Nicholls published One Day in 2009 (pictured in May at the Hay Festival) 

Anne Hathaway previously played Emma Morley alongside Jim Sturgess as Dexter Mayhew, however the film become a critical flop, with many deriding her attempt at a northern accent

Replying to the author, fans continued to share their support for the story as they wrote: ‘thank YOU for dex and em and for forever changing the meaning of july 15’

Hertfordshire-born Ambika, 28, who made her name in the BBC drama This Is Going to Hurt playing student doctor Shruti Acharya, initially didn’t accept the job to play Emma. 

Hertfordshire-born Ambika, 28, who made her name in the BBC drama This Is Going to Hurt playing student doctor Shruti Acharya, initially didn’t accept the job to play Emma.

The star explained she found it was a ‘massive, massive undertaking’ given Emma was previously played by a white actress.

She said: ‘It was definitely originally written as white and previously played by a white actress. I’m really excited to bring something new to the role, I hope that young women who don’t see themselves on screen that often see that it’s possible.

Ambika admitted she wouldn’t have landed the role ten years ago due to her skin colour, saying: ‘I’m very different to Anne Hathaway, so I was never worried about that. Just the fact that I’m not white and I’m getting to play Emma.

‘I don’t think that would have happened ten years ago. That in itself is a way to modernise the story.’

Ambika worked closely with lead scriptwriter Nicole Taylor to find the best version of Emma that would work on the small screen.

The actress ‘gives a damn good script note,’ according to Nicole.

‘I’m a writer and I can’t turn that side of my brain off ever. I got to know her so well,’ explained Ambika.

‘I just really, really love Emma and always wanted to do right by her.’

Ambik was then paired with Leo, who was still unknown at the time having not yet appeared on the Sky Atlantic series, The White Lotus.

He was only the second actor that she read the script with and producers quickly noticed their ‘perfect chemistry.’

Ambika admitted that the pair immediately had ‘a really natural rhythm… a really good vibe.’

Despite playing an Essex lad in the critically-acclaimed HBO show, West London-born Leo said he is actually ‘very middle-class’ and is a descendent of silent film star Maxine Elliott.

‘I come from privilege, and privilege definitely plays a part in Dexter’s life,’ he said of the parallels between him and his character.

He said the chemistry with Ambika was there straight away as they just ‘clicked and it worked.’