Daisy Edgar-Jones is set to star in the latest remake of Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility. And the story about navigating uncertain times for the Dashwood sisters will see Edgar-Jones playing Elinor. Her sister Marianne hasn’t been cast yet.
The 1811 classic was Austen’s first novel and this will be the 3rd film adaptation. The novel has also had multi adaptations into TV series, including the 1971 BBC version and a Hindi and even Tamil series. In 2013 BBC Radio 4 adapted it for a radio play. And there have been three major theatrical adaptations.
Edgar-Jones made the announcement on her Instagram with a photo of herself holding the book and the caption of “👀.”
When fans of the adaptations think of Sense and Sensibility, they think of the 1995 Ang Lee adaptation starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and the late Alan Rickman. For this turn at the classic, who should be joining Edgar-Jones? We’ve got some ideas!
Dev Patel as Edward Ferrars
I said, what I said. Dev Patel has been slept on to the point where he’s had to step in and start creating the kind of movies that he wants to see. And fans have been waiting for him to step into a romance and sweep people off their feet. Patel can do the shy and awkward of Edward. And I think he’d be a match to Edgar-Jones.
Phoebe Dynevor as Marianne Dashwood
Technically Phoebe Dynevor is older than Edgar-Jones. But this is film we’re talking about. Age doesn’t matter and we learned that from the 30-year-olds playing teenagers on Smallville. But back to this adaptation. Dynevor hasn’t hit it big since her Bridgerton appearance and I think it’s a mistake on Hollywood’s part. She’d be perfect for Marianne because she’s familiar with period pieces and has already shown us she’s knows how to tackle big emotions and romantic beats.
Lee Pace as Colonel Brandon
Lee Pace as Colonel Brandon is a purely selfish choice because I want to see Pace with the same look Alan Rickman had in the 1995 movie. Imagine the hair? The brooding looks? The gentle nature? Dead. On the ground. But real-talk, Pace has done everything from comedy to drama and space operas. He can handle the honorable Colonel Brandon and I think a little romance with Pace can heal the world.
Sam Claflin as John Willoughby
I still remember the day I was introduced to Sam Claflin in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. He was trying to get Katniss’ attention with that sugar cube but all he did was get the audiences attention. That smooth and seductive ease with which he knows could make him perfect for the role of Willoughby. Plus he played the anti-hero in Peaky Blinders. So he can play Willoughby.
This Sense and Sensibility adaptation is coming from Focus Features. And Georgia Oakley will directing the film with Diana Reid to adapt the screenplay. Oakley is known for such films like Little Bird and Blue Jean.