It’s a reality universally acknowledged that each article about Jane Austen should start with “It’s a reality universally acknowledged”. Now we’ve acquired it out of the way in which, we will proceed.
To mark the 250th anniversary of her delivery, new Sunday evening BBC drama Miss Austen stars Keeley Hawes because the novelist’s sister, Cassandra, and tackles the long-standing literary thriller of why Cassie burned her well-known sibling’s letters after she died. However how does it stack up throughout the canon of small-screen Austens? We’ve forged our web broad to incorporate riffs and reboots in addition to straight-up bonnet-and-breeches variations. Listed below are our all-time prime 20, ranked from Plain Janes to Superbrains …
20. Mansfield Park (1983)
Mansfield Park is one in all Austen’s least tailored novels and this stodgy BBC Two six-parter – the first-ever display model, remarkably – demonstrated why. An earnest Fanny Worth shared a display along with her terribly-coiffed cousin (and, ick, love curiosity) Edmund, joined distractingly by Gorden Kaye. At which level viewers stated: “Sacre bleu, isn’t that René From ’Allo ’Allo?”
19. Clueless (1996-99)
Hey? As if. OK, so we’re stretching the definition of Austen dramas a tad however this TV tackle the Californian highschool comedy was primarily based on the movie which was, in flip, impressed by Emma. Sadly, the collection lacked both Alicia Silverstone or Paul Rudd. If it have been the movie it will rank manner increased. Nevertheless it completely isn’t. No matter.
18. The Actual Jane Austen (2002)
This serviceable docudrama starred former Brookside and Emmerdale actor Gillian Kearney because the writer but it surely was narrator Anna Chancellor – a distant relative of Austen, reality followers – who stole the present. Erring extra in the direction of docu than drama, it was a bit dry.
17. Northanger Abbey (1987)
Made for the BBC’s Display Two strand, this feature-length adaptation of Austen’s Gothic pastiche was atmospheric sufficient, if missing in chemistry between its leads. With out Austen’s arch narrator, it struggled for nuance and ye olde lolz.
16. Sense & Sensibility (1981)
A yr after their second-best pop at P&P (see No 12), the BBC made this model of S&S with among the similar forged and crew. The visuals have dated, the humour clunks and it’s all a bit boringly beige.
Tailored from Austen’s unfinished novel, this frothy saga set within the titular seaside resort by no means discovered its ft. Nor certainly its channel. After one collection, it switched from ITV to BritBox. However later nonetheless aired on ITV, confusingly. High-hatted hunk Theo James additionally bailed after the primary collection, in order that they needed to retrospectively kill him off. Not very best.
14. Miss Austen Regrets (1987)
Based mostly on Austen’s surviving letters, this bittersweet quasi-biopic starred Olivia Williams because the writer. Approaching her fortieth birthday (she died at 41), Jane displays wistfully on her life and loves, whereas serving to her favorite niece Fanny (Imogen Poots) vet potential husbands. The brand new Miss Austen (minus the regrets) is manner higher.
13. Sense and Sensibility (2008)
Prolific adaptor Andrew Davies’s said intention with this sexed-up BBC three-parter was to make viewers neglect Ang Lee’s 1995 movie. Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield performed the Dashwood sisters, with David Morrissey and Dominic Cooper as their love pursuits. The climate was so soggy throughout filming that Davies added a gratuitous shot of wet-shirted Dan Stevens chopping logs within the rain. A figuring out nod to “that” Satisfaction & Predge lake scene.
12. Satisfaction & Prejudice (1980)
It might later be blown out of the Pemberley lake water by the peerless 1995 model, however this five-parter tailored by novelist Fay Weldon is unjustly forgotten. Devoted to the novel and slyly humorous, it seems to be a bit fusty by right now’s requirements however in any other case stands up properly.
11. Emma (1996)
Overshadowed by the Gwyneth Paltrow model, which was launched the identical yr, this ITV movie pulled in 12 million viewers. Samantha Morton was nice as Harriet Smith however Mark Sturdy’s receding hairline drew consideration to the age hole between Mr Knightley and Kate Beckinsale’s girlish Emma. Everybody’s relentless rudeness to the servants might have been interval applicable but it surely was nonetheless annoying.
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10. Mansfield Park (2007)
Contemporary from the Tardis, Billie Piper managed to perk up one in all Austen’s dullest heroines on this ITV adaptation, which turned moralistic Mansfield Park right into a soapy Regency romp. Blake Ritson made for a winningly gawky Edmund, whereas Hayley Atwell stole scenes as Fanny Worth’s two-faced frenemy Mary.
9. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2013)
The primary ever internet collection to win an Emmy neatly reworked Satisfaction & Prejudice in 100 snappy episodes, initially launched on YouTube twice per week. A media scholar begins a vlog for her thesis, a rich dimwit referred to as Bing Lee strikes into a close-by mansion, his try-hard hipster mate Darcy visits and we’re off. Supporting characters get their very own episodes. Characters’ tweets pop up on display. Addictive and revolutionary.
8. Persuasion (2007)
One in all Austen’s extra delicate tales was tailored with becoming nuance for ITV. Sally Hawkins was very good as Anne Elliot, with diary entries in voiceover taking us inside her head. Rupert Penry-Jones smouldered as Captain Wentworth, whereas Julia Davis and Tobias Menzies lent sterling assist. Understated, maybe, but it surely seems to be like a piece of unparalleled genius in comparison with the 2022 Dakota Johnson aberration.
7. Northanger Abbey (2007)
This ITV iteration is underseen and underrated. Felicity Jones sparkled because the Goth-fixated heroine with a rampant creativeness. A younger Carey Mulligan caught the attention as her two-faced good friend, whereas JJ Feild made for a dashing romantic hero. With its steamy dream sequences, it was like Twilight with corsets and carriages.
6. Miss Austen (2025)
Why did Cassandra Austen commit “an act of literary vandalism” by burning her sister’s letters? Cleverly tailored from Gill Hornby’s bestselling novel, this beautiful new collection persuasively suggests Cassandra has been misunderstood by historical past, and paints a poignant image of sisterly love. The incredible Patsy Ferran is heartbreaking in flashback as younger Jane. In case you want additional invitation, it additionally boasts an amusingly idiotic vicar and a few cute pygmy goats.
5. Emma (2009)
Smug busybody Emma Woodhouse could be irritating within the mistaken arms however Romola Garai’s terrific portrayal on this BBC collection made viewers root for her. Jonny Lee Miller charmed as Mr Knightley, the good Michael Gambon twinkled as Emma’s father, and Miranda Hart offered comedian aid because the wittering Miss Bates. Sensitively rendered and gently ironic with a swooningly soppy ending.
Austen meets Agatha Christie anybody? This gripping three-part homicide thriller, primarily based on PD James’s novel, was a cosy-crime continuation of Satisfaction & Prejudice. Good-looking manufacturing values and a wise script made it a respectful mashup. A killer forged was led by Anna Maxwell Martin, Matthew Rhys and Jenna Coleman. It aired at Christmas and made for close to excellent festive viewing. Cross the High quality Avenue, darling mom.
This playful fantasy adopted Amanda (Jemima Rooper), a modern-day Austen fan who stumbled into the world of Satisfaction & Prejudice via a portal in her rest room. She joined the Bennet household and tried to not destroy every little thing, whereas Lizzie (Gemma Arterton) was caught in Twenty first-century London. A riotously enjoyable romcom ensued. Hugh Bonneville and Alex Kingston have been a hoot as Mr and Mrs Bennet.
2. Persuasion (1995)
This feature-length BBC Two drama had the misfortune to drop in the identical yr as Andrew Davies’s Satisfaction & Prejudice and Emma Thompson’s Sense & Sensibility, which means it’s typically ignored. Directed by Roger Michell, it deserves manner higher. Amanda Root captured the essence of Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds was downright magnificent as Captain Wentworth. A young story of misplaced love and second possibilities with an beautiful ending. It rightly gained 5 Baftas. Aye aye, Captain.
1. Satisfaction & Prejudice (1995)
“Ooh, Mr Darcy,” certainly. A nation came visiting aflutter and needed to fan itself when Colin Firth emerged wet-shirted from a lake like a Penguin Classics version of Daniel Craig. But this peerless collection was way over its signature scene. Screenwriter Andrew Davies deftly mixed Austen’s social satire with unabashed romance. An viewers of 10 million have been rapt as sparks flew between Jennifer Ehle’s spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Firth’s aloof Fitzwilliam Darcy. The all-conquering collection kickstarted the Austen-aissance, flinging open the ballroom doorways to every little thing from Bridget Jones to Bridgerton. Did we point out the moist shirt already?
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