Daisy Edgar-Jones to Star as Elinor Dashwood in New 'Sense & Sensibility'

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen adaptations come in generational waves. In the 1990s, notable adaptations included Andrew Davies' definitive Pride & Prejudice miniseries, Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma, the Ciaran Hines-Amanda Root adaptation of Persuasion, and the Emma Thompson-Kate Winslet adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. In the late aughts, we got a Pride & Prejudice big-screen adaptation with Keira Knightley, followed by a set of TV miniseries for all of Austen's other finished works, all penned by Davies. Since 2019, when Davies tackled Austen's unfinished work, Sanditon, we've been in a slow-motion revival that now brings a new big-screen Sense & Sensibility.

As fans of Austen's debut all know, the family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex, making this story Austen's most ensemble-based romance, even if this family is only three sisters instead of five. Indeed, Sense & Sensibility readers essentially fall into two camps: the Elinor and Edward fans and the Marianne and Brandon fans. (Austen wrote it under the working title "Elinor & Marianne," more proof both stories were equal in her mind, as well as their relationship being the one that mattered above all others.)

That being said, as the eldest Dashwood sister, Elinor is considered the lead (Emma Thompson played her in the 1995 film), and this new big screen adaptation leads with her casting. Elinor Dashwood will be played by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), adding her to the current class of Austen heroines, including Rose Williams (Charlotte Heywood in Sanditon), Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma in Emma), Dakota Johnson (Anne Elliot in Netflix's deeply unfortunate Persuasion), and Emma Corrin (Lizzie Bennet in Netflix's forthcoming Pride & Prejudice remake). 

(At this point, we only need adaptations of Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, and we'll have the whole set.)

Here's the film's current not-very-useful synopsis:

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.

Thus far, Edgar-Jones is the only cast member attached to the project, but (as we all know) Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon are just as important a romance as the one between Elinor and Edward Ferrars. We expect the central foursome will be announced in due course, followed by the rest of the cast when filming commences.

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 as a rental on the usual platforms. The 2008 miniseries is available for members on most PBS Passports; please check your local listings and services.