Have you seen the successful Netflix series, One Day, yet? If not, run -don’t walk!
If you’ve seen the original version, you’ll probably have noticed the differences between the two main characters, Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) and Emma Morley (Ambika Mod). And I’m not only talking about their different personalities, but about the fact that Dexter is from the South of England and Emma from the North –and how this is reflected in their accents, their sense of humor and one could argue their social status.
For years, there has been a debate about what’s known as the North-South Divide -an invisible line separating England into two socially, culturally and economically distinct halves. Much has been written about Northern and Southern stereotypes and the possible origin of these differences, and in One Day the author David Nicholls brings us his own take on the issue.
In the series, there are at least three main differences that one can easily spot:
Their sense of humour: The Northern sense of humour is sometimes described as acid, dry or even dark - so much so, that sometimes Southerners might not get the joke. For example, in episode one we hear Dexter complain after Emma mocks his future prospects:
“You know, the thing about Northerners is that you rate yourselves so very highly
for your sense of humour, but actually, you’re just really bloody rude.”
Their accents: For those of us who are not from the UK, Dexter’s accent will instantly be more familiar, as he speaks in something closer to what we might call “The Queen’s English” or “Received Pronunciation”. This is the form of English traditionally regarded as “standard” and is historically associated with the South. Emma, on the other hand, is from Leeds in Yorkshire and speaks in a way that non-natives might find harder to get their heads around. In the first episode, Dexter even mimics Emma’s accent, recognising that she is from the North but without knowing from where.
Their social status: It might be the case that Nicholls simply wanted his main characters to be from different backgrounds – a working class girl who falls in love with a wealthy charmer. But the truth may also be that Nicholls wanted his two main characters - one from London, the other from Leeds - to reflect the historical economic divide that exists between the North and South of England.
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