Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles Star in New Women-Led Sense and Sensibility Adaptation

Actor Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Elinor Dashwood in a new film adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility', directed by Georgia Oakley and opening in theaters on Friday.

The Cast and Characters

Edgar-Jones grew up reading Austen's novels after her mother gave them to her as a teenager. To prepare for playing the calm and reserved eldest Dashwood sister, Edgar-Jones created a playlist featuring songs by Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton, Dolly Parton, Alice Pheobe Lou, Julia Jacklin, and Jessica Pratt. She specifically connected with Parton's track 'Here You Come Again', imagining her character belting it in Barton Cottage. Esmé Creed-Miles plays the passionate younger sister Marianne Dashwood, while Caitríona Balfe plays their mother, Mrs. Dashwood. Additional cast members include George MacKay, Frank Dillane, and Herbert Nordrum.

Production Details

The film's Los Angeles premiere took place on Oct. 7 at the United Theatre in Downtown L.A. Director Georgia Oakley studied Austen in school and became the first woman to direct a major 'Sense and Sensibility' feature film. Screenwriter Diana Reid adapted the script to center more strongly on the relationship between the two sisters. Creed-Miles and Edgar-Jones share a real-life bond, having spent a formative teenage summer together in Yorkshire making an indie film titled 'Pond Life' and watching 'Love Island'. During their chemistry read, Creed-Miles even helped herself to Edgar-Jones's lunch, which director Oakley noted felt very true to the characters.

Context

Jane Austen's novels have inspired numerous film and television adaptations over the decades, offering rich material for generations of actors and filmmakers. Book-to-screen adaptations often require balancing faithful portrayals for devoted fans with fresh creative interpretations for new audiences.