EXCLUSIVE! Jim Sturgess interview

One Day's hottest star let us in on the pressure of playing Dexter, and how Anne Hathaway hand-picked him for the role…

Anne Hathaway hand-picked him to be her One Day co-star, but can Brit actor Jim Sturgess live up to expectations? Marie Claire caught up with the rather handsome A-lister, who happens to be just a little bit nervous about his new role…

‘I was sitting on the beach in Dubai and I saw three of them,’ he joked of 'that orange books'. ‘I just thought, “oh Christ – everyone’s reading it,” There’s more pressure than I’ve ever had playing any other character.’

And his fears are understandable. Since the book was published in 2009, it’s sold a whopping 400,000 copies and been translated into 31 languages. Eeek.

But Surgess hadn’t even read David Nicholls' novel before going for the role – when he was handed a copy by director Lone Scherfig and subsequently called for LA for ‘chemistry read’ with Anne Hathaway. ('I just sat there thinking: “I just hope we have chemistry!"')

Already cast, Anne was effectively choosing her Dexter. ‘She came bowling in through the door and was so funny, we got on instantly. I could tell she wanted to do the best I could.’

Filmed in and around London, Edinburgh and Paris last summer, the action visits every 15 July for 20 years.

‘One minute you’re 35, then you’re 23 and by the end of it you’re 42. But when someone puts a screaming baby in your arms you can’t not relate to how Dexter’s feeling,’ he said,’ adding he is worried his portrayal won’t match up the Dexter beloved by a nation of women.

‘If someone has a vision of Dexter that your don’t fit, there’s nothing you can do,’ he offers. ‘I saw it as my duty to defend him, otherwise he’s just vulgar and unpleasant. It was important to find out why he behaves like that, to show he’s lovable, vulnerable and scared.’

Is he similar to the lovable Dexter in any way? He paints a picture of his early days that could parallel Dexter Mahew circa 1995 – when booze, girls and ill-conceived ambition first threatened to thwart his friendship with Emma.

‘That’s what being in your 20s is all about, isn’t it?’ he smiles. ‘You misbehave, you’re irresponsible and you make big mistakes.’

Are YOU looking forward to seeing Jim Surgess and Anne Hathaway in One Day? Let us know in the comments box below.

ONE DAY MOVIE PICTURES

JIM & ANNE GLITTER AT ONE DAY PREMIERE