The forecast looks bright forTwistersfavoriteDaisy Edgar-Jones, as she has just lined up her next lead role in a feature film. Focus Features and Working Title Films have announced that Jane Austen’s literary classicSense and Sensibilityis getting a new screen adaptation, with Edgar-Jones set to portray the eldest Dashwood sister, Elinor, who waspreviously played by Emma Thompsonin Ang Lee’s 1995 film that earned a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score. The role of Marianne Dashwood in the upcoming remake has yet to be announced.
Georgia Oakley, who is coming off her People’s Choice Award win at the 79th Venice Film Festival with her debut featureBlue Jean, is directing the new take on the cherished story from a script written by bestselling author Diana Reid. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films will produceSense and Sensibilityalongside India Flint of November Pictures and Jo Wallett. The project marks the third collaboration between Focus and Working Title on a remake of Austen’s work, following 2005’sPride & Prejudiceand 2020’sEmma.
What Makes a Good Jane Austen Adaptation?
Jane Austen’s novels have been adapted countless times. What differentiates the good from the bad?
As her second feature film,Sense and Sensibilityis a significant undertaking for Oakley as it carries with it the weight of a legacy. The book, first published anonymously in 1811, established itself as a pioneering story that remains a cornerstone of English literature. Per today’s announcement regarding the new adaptation, “The timeless exploration of restraint and passion follows sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, opposites in their emotional approach, as they navigate love, loss, and financial uncertainty amid the societal expectations of 18th century England. Celebrated for its wit, deep social insights, and enduring cultural relevance, the novel launched the bright career of one of history’s greatest authors.”
Oakley is not the first to bringSense and Sensibilityto screens.The bookhas beenadapted a number of timesover the years, most notably through the Thompson-starring effort of the mid-nineties. She not only featured in the cast opposite Kate Winslet as Marianne, but also wrote the script that eventually led to her winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release and scored a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus on the film is that it’s “an uncommonly deft, very funny Jane Austen adaptation, marked by Emma Thompson’s finely tuned performance.”
Daisy Edgar-Jones Teased Her New Role on Instagram
Edgar-Jones has quickly emerged asa prominent rising star, having popped up in several heavy Hollywood hitters in recent years. She most recently led the cast ofTwistersopposite Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, and starred opposite Will Poulter and Jacob Elordi (who will next be seen in Emerald Fennell’s book-to-screen adaptation ofWuthering Heights) in the romantic dramaOn Swift Horses. She also previously featured in the film version of the novel phenomenonWhere the Crawdads Sing, among several roles on the small screen.
The 27-year-old British actress took to Instagram to announce her latest role on June 25, just as the news surfaced about Oakley’sSense and Sensibilityadaptation. She posted a photograph of herself, holding a copy of the Austen novel in her hand, alongside a second snap that teased a corner of the book. She captioned the post with the “eyes” emoji, drawing attention to her next undertaking without commenting on it. Her other upcoming projects include the legal thrillerA Place in Helland the Netflix heist movieHere Comes the Flood.
