Callum Character Analysis in One Day

Callum is a mutual friend of Dexter and Emma who goes into business and eventually becomes the head of a health food company. He offers Dexter a job after Dexter’s television career ends, but Callum is condescending and has an affair with Dexter’s wife at the time, Sylvia. Callum ultimately seems to regret ending up with Sylvia, showing how the pursuit of status and success for its own sake can be meaningless.

Callum Character Timeline in One Day

The timeline below shows where the character Callum appears in One Day. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Coming of Age and the Search for Meaning Theme Icon

...mind that when they met up again later in London at the birthday party of Callum, a mutual friend. When Dexter went on his long period of travel, mostly to places... (full context)

...him from television, where he interviews pop stars. Dexter was out with his old friend Callum and tried to introduce Callum to Tara, but it was late and Callum left. Dexter... (full context)

...company is just a logo. Dexter has slowly been cutting ties with old friends like Callum that he no longer has time for. After he sees Emma in the evening, he... (full context)

...alone. Part of her dreads it, but she is curious to see people like Stephanie, Callum, and Dexter again. Dexter is bringing his girlfriend Sylvie. (full context)

Callum, who made his business fortune on sandwiches, talks to Dexter and others by the food... (full context)

Callum changes the subject, saying that he heard Emma is here and that she and Dexter... (full context)

Emma sees Callum and Dexter talking boisterously. She’s stuck in a conversation with Miffy Buchanan, whom she used... (full context)

...his one-night-stand with Tilly. She asks about Sylvie, whom Dexter says has been caught by Callum and forced to listen to his business ideas. Dexter asks what Emma’s book is about... (full context)

...He has ended Mayhem TV, which never produced anything anyway, and finally caved to call Callum about a job. (full context)

...St. Swithin’s Day again in the year 2000, Dexter supervises a delivery for Natural Stuff, Callum’s company. A coworker recognizes him as someone who used to be on television, something that... (full context)

Meanwhile, Sylvie is naked in a hotel room with Callum. She says Dexter sounded really drunk, and she worries she should go home. Callum encourages... (full context)

Dexter tells Emma about his divorce and about how Sylvie and Jasmine have moved into Callum’s mansion. Dexter has no job at the moment and is renting out his old flat... (full context)

Emma goes for a swim, then rides her bicycle to Dexter’s flat. There, Callum and Sylvie arrive to drop off Jasmine. Emma doesn’t speak to Callum much after Dexter’s... (full context)

In her car, Sylvie regrets getting together with Callum, who comes home late, possibly having affairs, and is harsh with Jasmine. Her family also... (full context)