It is a truth universally acknowledged that not only was Jane Austen a genius, but her works will be adapted until the end of time. Fans of her novels will be happy to learn that there is yet another adaptation of her iconic novel, Sense and Sensibility, starring Daisy-Edgar Jones and directed by Georgia Oakley.
Here’s everything you should know about the latest Sense and Sensibility adaptation.
What’s the plot of Sense and Sensibility?
The original novel, released in 1811, focuses on the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. Elinor is the embodiment of “sense”; she is pragmatic, practical, and puts her family’s needs above her own desires. Marianne is her opposite. She is passionate and ever-feeling. She makes up the “sensibility” part of the title.
Both sisters go on a journey of personal discovery as they deal with their father’s death and their family’s subsequent money troubles. Saved by a distant relative, the novel examines the class tensions in 19th-century England. A common theme in Jane Austen’s novels!
It was Jane Austen’s first published novel. It was published with the byline “by a lady.”
Has Sense and Sensibility been adapted before?
Yes, it has! Many, many times. The most famous is the 1995 adaptation of the novel, directed by Ang Lee and written by Dame Emma Thompson. Emma also starred in the film as Elinor. Joining her in the cast were Kate Winslet as Marianne, Hugh Grant as Edward, and Emma’s Love Actually co-star Alan Rickman as steadfast Colonel Brandon.
The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and Emma Thompson won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The BBC also made three different TV miniseries of the novel in 1971, 1981, and most recently in 2008.
Sense and Sensibility (1995) is available to stream on Foxtel, and Binge; it is available to rent or buy from Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Who’s starring in the new Sense and Sensibility film?
As mentioned above, Daisy Edgar-Jones will star in the remake of Sense and Sensibility. She will portray Elinor. Her character’s sister, the passionate Marianne, is being played by Esme Creed-Miles. Outlander‘s Caitríona Balfe joins as their widowed mother, Mrs. Dashwood. Finally, the younger sister, Margaret Dashwood, is portrayed by Rae Breathnach.
Rounding out the case are Fiona Shaw as Mrs Jennings, George MacKay as Edward Ferrars, Frank Dillane as John Willoughby, and Herbert Nordrum as Colonel Brandon.
Daisy shared the news on her Instagram with a cryptic post with an image of her reading the novel Sense and Sensibility; she captioned it with a single emoji of eyes.
Daisy’s big break came when the 27-year-old British actor starred in the 2020 coming-of-age romantic drama Normal People, based on a novel of the same name by Irish author Sally Rooney, alongside Irish actor Paul Mescal. Since then, she was the lead in the 2022 adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing and starred in the standalone sequel of 1964’s Twister, Twisters (2024). So she is well-schooled in performing in remakes and adaptations!
Who is writing and directing Sense and Sensibility?
Also, mentioned above, BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Georgia Oakley is directing this new take on Sense and Sensibility. Plus, Australian author Diana Reid is adapting the screenplay. Diana is known for her novels Love & Virtue and Seeing Other People.
Furthermore, Focus Features is backing this latest adaptation. It has backed two other remakes of Jane Austen’s novels. Most notably, the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. And also Emma (2020), which starred Anya-Taylor Joy.
- Pride and Prejudice (2005) is available to stream on Netflix, Foxtel, and Binge; it is available to rent or buy from Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
- Emma (2020) is available to stream on Foxtel or Binge; it is available to rent or buy from Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
When will the new Sense and Sensibility film be released?
According to Deadline, Focus Features has revealed that the film will have a cinematic release in the United States on 11 September 2026 and in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2026.
There’s no word on when it will be released in Australia. Watch this space!
