Entertainment
Enjoyed Persuasion? Here are 7 Jane Austen adaptations to catch next-Jess Bacon-Entertainment – Metro
There’s plenty to choose from.
The latest Austen adaptation, starring Dakota Johnson, is a refreshing take on her final novel (Picture: AP)
Jane Austen’s books have been adapted and revisited countless times and have given us some of literatures greatest heroines and heroes as well as the original blueprint of the enemies to lovers trope in Pride and Prejudice.
The latest tribute to her novels is Netflix’s Persuasion, retold with a Fleabag-esque quality that has delighted fans with Dakota Johnson taking on the lead role of Anne Elliot.
Austen’s books have even evolved beyond their source material and inspired modern day romcoms such as Bridget Jones (yes, Helen Fielding wrote her own Mr Darcy), Austenland and the unforgettable Pride and Prejudice with Zombies (we wish we could forget it though).
If you’re looking for another Austen adaptation to watch after Persuasion then we’ve got just the thing!
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
This Pride and Prejudice film captured the hearts of audiences with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden in the titular roles (Picture: Working Title/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is one of the best Austen adaptations.
The award-winning film stars Keira Knightley and Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen in the lead roles of Elizabeth Bennett and her love interest, Mr Darcy.
It’s a delightful retelling of the story of the five Bennett sisters who find themselves the centre of the advances of several men (not all of them amiable) in the traditional setting of Regency England.
There’s a host of famous faces in the supporting roles too: Vera’s Brenda Blethyn, The Hunger Games’ Donald Sutherland as well as Gone Girl’s Rosamund Pike and Promising Young Woman star Carey Mulligan. There’s also a brief but memorable appearance of Dame Judi Dench.
Keira was even nominated for the best actress Oscar for her performance of the literary heroine at just 20 years old.
Do we even need to mention the charged hand flinch? If you know you know.
Pride And Prejudice is available to stream now on Netflix.
Emma (2020)
The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy took on the leading role of Emma Woodhouse in the 2020 film (Picture: Focus Features/Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
The 2020 version of Emma is a vibrant, contemporary take on Austen’s novel of the same name.
It follows The Queen’s Gambit’s Anya Taylor-Joy as Miss Emma Woodhouse who lives with her father in a small village and delights in matchmaking and meddling in the love lives of her closest friends.
There’s drama, laughs, a wardrobe to rival Bridgerton as well as extravagant declarations of love – what more could you want?
Emma also stars Miranda Hart, Bill Nighy, singer and actor Johnny Flynn and The Crown’s Josh O’Connor.
Emma is on Netflix now.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Dame Emma Thompson wrote and starred in the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility (Picture: Columbia/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Dame Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet star as the contrasting sisters, Elinor (representing sense) and Marianne (sensibility) Dashwood.
The story follows the Dashwood sisters as they come to terms with their financial destitution after their father’s death and attempt to gain some financial security through marriage.
The 1995 film sees them pursue the rather young and beautiful, Alan Rickman and Hugh Grant as love interests.
This film is also another reminder of how much of a multi-hyphenate powerhouse Dame Emma is as she secured the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
Sense and Sensibility is available on Netflix.
Persuasion (2007)
Maybe you’re just in the mood for more Persuasion without the reading? And who could blame you.
It’s time to check out the 2007 BBC adaptation of Austen’s final novel.
The film stars Paddington’s Sally Hawkins and Whitechapel’s Rupert Penry-Jones as the leads Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.
It’s a slow burn, with only a few moments of Sally staring into camera (not in the Fleabag style of the new film) but it packs the same emotional punch.
Persuasion is available on Amazon Prime.
Love & Friendship (2016)
Kate Beckinsale shines in the titular role in Love and Friendship based on Austen’s Lady Susan (Picture: Myles Goode)
Love & Friendship is actually a retelling of Austen’s novel Lady Susan as it follows the recently widowed character as she schemes to secure new wealth for herself and her daughters.
It’s a witty and fiery comedy with Kate Beckinsale at the helm, and it borrows the name from Austen’s juvenile stories, Love & Friendship.
It also stars Xavier Samuel, Emma Greenwell, James Fleet, Jemma Redgrave, Stephen Fry and Morfydd Clark.
It’s also available to stream now on Netflix.
Sanditon (2019)
Both seasons of Sanditon are now available to stream (Picture: ITV)
Sanditon has been adapted from Austen’s unfinished manuscript of the same name.
The ITV series follows Charlotte Heywood as she moves to the seaside resort on the brink of collapse and navigates her new life there.
There’s all the good Austen tropes of romance, misjudged alliances and enemies to lovers within the two seasons of the seaside, regency drama.
It features Rose Williams, Kate Ashfield, Crystal Clarke, Jack Fox, Anne Reid and Theo James.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Did you really think we wouldn’t include the adaptation that gave us Colin Firth in a white shirt climbing out the lake? Never!
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This BBC mini-series is another memorable and highly praised version of one of Austen’s most famous novels.
It’s well worth a watch for the stellar cast too of Gavin and Stacey’s Alison Steadman, Jennifer Ehle and Silent Witness’ Emilia Fox.
Persuasion is available to stream now on Netflix.
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