'The Sandman' Star to Play Marianne Dashwood in 'Sense & Sensibility'

As celebrations of Jane Austen's 250th birthday intensify around the world, a new wave of productions of some of her most famous stories is in the works. Netflix is busy making a new limited series adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, BritBox is adapting The Other Bennet Sister, a second season of Miss Austen is reportedly in the works, and word came last week that a new feature film version of Sense & Sensibility will be headed to theaters in relatively short order. 

Focus Features is behind this latest remake of Austen's classic, and has tapped Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) to star as elder sister Elinor Dashwood. Now, it appears the production has found their Marianne in Esmé Creed-Miles (The Doll Factory). Though Sense and Sensibility features not one but two of the author's best-loved romances in Elinor and Edward Ferrars and Marianne and Colonel Brandon, the story's heart has always been the unshakeable bond between the Dashwood sisters at its center. And while these two young actresses certainly have some big shoes to fill — the Academy Award-winning 1995 film starred none other than Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet as Elinor and Marianne —if their previous work is anything to go by, they're both more than up to the task.

Edgar-Jones has been seen in everything from science fiction (War of the Worlds) to summer blockbusters (Twisters), while Creed-Miles is currently starring in the second season of Netflix's The Sandman as the volatile Delirium, the youngest and most charmingly chaotic of the Endless. Casting for their respective love interests, as well as the rest of the Dashwood family, has yet to be announced.

Here's the film's super basic description. 

Originally published anonymously with the byline reading “By A Lady,” Austen’s Sense and Sensibility 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. Austen’s 1811 debut novel established her as a literary force and remains a cornerstone of English literature.

Georgia Oakley (Atonement) will direct from a script by bestselling Australian author Diana Reid. Jo Wallett executive produces, along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner for Working Title Films and India Flint of November Pictures. The new Sense & Sensibility hails from Working Title and Focus Features, the same team that made the 2005 Pride & Prejudice and the 2020 Emma.

The new Sense & Sensibility film does not yet have a filming window or release date. The 1995 version is currently streaming on the obscure movie service Reveel and is available for rental on the usual platforms. The 2008 miniseries is available on select PBS Passports for members. Check your local listings and streaming program guides.