A Modern Feel for Sense and Sensibility as Daisy Edgar-Jones Brings Austen’s Elinor to a New Generation

Daisy Edgar-Jones says the upcoming Sense and Sensibility adaptation brings a fresh and modern emotional perspective to Jane Austen’s classic story while remaining faithful to its Regency-era world.

Edgar-Jones stars as Elinor Dashwood in the film, directed by Georgia Oakley and written by Diana Reid. Esmé Creed-Miles plays Marianne Dashwood, Elinor’s younger sister. The film remains set in the Regency period but aims to make the characters and their emotions accessible to modern audiences.

The actress said Jane Austen’s understanding of people and relationships remains powerful today. She believes audiences will recognise the emotions and struggles faced by the Dashwood sisters despite the historical setting.

A Modern Feel for a Classic Story

The new Sense and Sensibility adaptation focuses on the characters’ emotions while preserving the atmosphere of Austen’s original novel. Edgar-Jones said the film allows viewers to see the sisters as people who could easily exist in the modern world.

The story also offers audiences an escape into the Regency period. At the same time, it explores themes that remain familiar, including family responsibility, financial pressure, love and personal expectations.

The Dashwood Sisters Take Centre Stage

Unlike some earlier adaptations, the screenplay gives greater attention to the relationship between Elinor and Marianne.

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Elinor is responsible, reserved and careful. Marianne is more passionate, expressive and free-spirited. Their different personalities shape the story as the sisters face major changes in their family life.

Edgar-Jones said she connected with Elinor’s desire to keep everything together. She described the character as someone who feels pressure to behave properly and set an example for others.

A Friendship That Helped Build the On-Screen Bond

Edgar-Jones and Creed-Miles already knew each other before joining the production. The actresses previously worked together in the 2018 drama Pond Life, which marked Edgar-Jones’ film debut.

Their previous friendship helped them develop the close relationship required for the roles. Edgar-Jones said that shared history made it easier to create a believable bond between the Dashwood sisters.

Costumes Reflect the Family’s Changing Fortunes

The production also used costume design to highlight the Dashwood family’s financial difficulties.

Costume designer Grace Snell created Regency-era clothing that reflected the family’s reduced circumstances. Some garments were reused throughout the film, reflecting how the characters would have managed their clothing after losing much of their wealth.

Edgar-Jones said these details helped make the world of the film feel more realistic.

Romance and Social Restrictions

George MacKay plays Edward Ferrars, Elinor’s romantic interest. Their relationship forms one of the film’s central emotional storylines.

Edgar-Jones described their connection as a complicated and heartbreaking relationship. Both characters struggle to openly express their feelings because of the strict social expectations of the period.

The actress, who describes herself as a romantic, praised MacKay’s performance. She also joked that emotional longing is making a comeback in modern romance.

A New Chapter for Jane Austen on Screen

The film marks Edgar-Jones’ first major period drama. However, she has already appeared in several screen adaptations of literary works, including Where the Crawdads Sing, On Swift Horses and Normal People.

She said adapting a famous novel brings additional pressure because readers often have strong personal connections to the original characters.

With a renewed focus on the Dashwood sisters, emotional relationships and the pressures of Regency society, the new Sense and Sensibility aims to introduce Jane Austen’s enduring story to another generation.

Sense and Sensibility is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 16, 2026.