Jane Austen is one of the most beloved authors of all time. She has written classic books such as Pride & Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Many of these novels have been developed into equally notable movies, such as the Oscar-nominated 2005 rendition of Pride & Prejudice.
Even today, there is continued interest in working with Austen’s beloved texts. For example, the 2020s alone have produced fresh adaptations of Emma and Persuasion. The author’s work was also honored more recently in the 2025 romantic comedy Jane Austen Wrecked My Life.
Just last month, it was announced that another Austen adaptation is in the works. A new version of Sense and Sensibility will be produced by Focus Features and Working тιтle Films. It will star Daisy Edgar-Jones as the classic character Elinor Dashwood and be directed by Georgia Oakley.
The new Sense and Sensibility film also recently announced another cast member. Esmé Creed-Miles (of Hanna and The Sandman fame) will play Marianne Dashwood. As news continues about the Sense and Sensibility movie, there are some fantastic opportunities to honor the adaptation that came before it.
Sense And Sensibility Should Bring Back Some Original Cast Members In New Roles
The 1995 Movie Is So Beloved
Long before Oakley’s version of Sense and Sensibility came a 1995 adaptation from director Ang Lee. The movie featured Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson in the roles now occupied by Creed-Miles and Edgar-Jones, respectively. The movie also featured an all-star supporting cast including Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman, Tom Wilkinson, Robert Hardy, and Gemma Jones.
Sense and Sensibility was acclaimed when it came out, and has remained among the best-liked Austen adaptations. The film ended up nominated for multiple Oscars, which honored its stellar cast. Thompson even won for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The best way for this new version of Sense and Sensibility to honor its predecessor would be to include either Winslet or Thompson in the cast. Either actor would be an appropriate choice to play Mrs. Dashwood, as they would be a good match for the age of the character.
It will be hard for Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility to live up to the 1995 version, but that is precisely why some of these actors should be included.
Even Grant could also be included in the modern Sense and Sensibility in some way. He previously played Edward Ferrars in Lee’s version, but now could be a good fit for Sir John Middleton or another character.
It will be hard for Oakley’s Sense and Sensibility to live up to the 1995 version, but that is precisely why some of these actors should be included. Including some of the original cast, albeit in new roles, could be a great way to pay homage to this other great Austen adaptation.
