"I'm going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like", Jane Austen said of her titular character, Emma Woodhouse. As it turns out, however, several people were charmed by the spoilt but well-intentioned protagonist of her 1815 novel, with dozens of television, film and stage adaptations cropping up over the two centuries since its publication. Now, this Austen classic about a match-making member of the landed gentry is getting a makeover with the upcoming film directed by Autumn de Wilde, set for a UK-wide release on the 14th February 2020.
The first trailer for 'Emma' dropped just over a week ago and is as full of ironic humour, knowing glances and delicious tension as any loyal Austenite would hope. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy ('Peaky Blinders') as Emma Woodhouse and Johnny Flynn ('Lovesick') as Mr. Knightley and joined by a star-studded cast including Bill Nighy, Mia Goth and Josh O'Connor, 'Emma' promises to be the latest in a long tradition of adaptations of this iconic novelist's works. In honour of 'Emma', we've compiled a list of ten films and series that have Jane Austen as their source or inspiration. Get your bonnets and dance cards at the ready, folks.
1'Love & Friendship' (2016)
The tongue in cheek humour that oozed from the 'Emma' trailer finds its soul sister in the form of 'Love & Friendship', a 2016 comedy based on Jane Austen's early epistolary novel 'Lady Susan'. Kate Beckinsale stars as Lady Susan Vernon, a recent widow and the most famous flirt in all of the British Isles. After the death of her husband and a scandal involving her affair with the married Lord Manwaring, Lady Susan heads to her brother-in-law's estate, where she hopes to marry her romantic-at-heart daughter, Frederica, to the dim-witted but wealthy Sir James Martin. Despite her reputation as a coquette and a heartbreaker, the clever and manipulative Lady Susan has most of the local men wrapped around her little finger in no time at all. This laugh-out-loud comedic romp of a film is sure to convert any non-believers of the power of Austen.
2'Austenland' (2013)
Jane Hayes, a single thirty-something obsessed with Mr Darcy, decides to splash out on a holiday to Jane Austen-themed resort in England in which the guests role-play living during the Regency era - buy one all-inclusive holiday, get a happily ever after for free. The realities of living without modern conveniences soon leave Jane disenchanted with the Austen era, however, as does the stern presence of the owner's nephew, Henry Nobley. 'Austenland' somehow manages to both poke fun at the idealisation of the past whilst also acknowledging the enduring romance and appeal of Austen's greatest works.
3'Pride and Prejudice' (1995)
The second that Colin Firth climbed out of the lake in a still-dripping shirt, an entire generation of Austen fangirls were goners. This six-episode BBC series starring Jennifer Ehle as the passionate and witty Elizabeth Bennet is perhaps one of the most faithful Austen adaptations (Colin Firth stripping aside) and the result is a wonderfully slow-burning love story infused with longing glances, heated banter and a generous helping of sideburns. It is, perhaps, the quintessential Austen adaptation and, given that the entire series is on Netflix, is the perfect rainy day binge watch.
4'Clueless' (1995)
This 1995 teen classic is actually a loose adaptation of the very Jane Austen novel that inspired this list: 'Emma'. In 'Clueless', however, Emma is Cher Horowitz, a popular and wealthy girl living in Beverly Hills who decides to transform edgy new student Tai Frasier into the perfect upper-class California girl, despite her stepbrother's disapproval and Tai's interest in a skateboarder. 'Clueless' has become emblematic of the 1990s but, despite the fashion choices and quotable slang, Cher is endearing enough that the film never loses it's Austen-esque heart. Also, if you think that Jane Austen's novels haven't aged, wait until you see Paul Rudd in 'Clueless'.
5'Sense and Sensibility' (1995)
As much as Jane Austen is known for her breathless, deliciously tense romances, her explorations of the nuances of sisterhood also deserve praise. The practical Elinor and romantic Marianne Dashwood are two such sisters who, after the death of their father, are left poor and in danger of financial ruin. This particular Austen adaptation might as well be a lesson in British acting royalty, with Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman in starring roles as well as Emma Thompson taking the reigns as both Elinor Dashwood and screenwriter. 'Sense and Sensibility' went on to win Emma Thompson the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in a testament to just how well Austenisms translate to the big screen even centuries after the publication of the novels.
6'The Lizzie Bennet Diaries' (2012-2013)
'The Lizzie Bennet Diaries' takes the story of 'Pride and Prejudice' and places it in what is perhaps its most interesting and innovative form yet: a web series told in vlog-style by communications student Lizzie Bennet as she tells her "subscribers" about her life with her sisters after the arrival of the wealthy medical student Bing Lee and his friend, William Darcy. Each episode of this web series is between two and eight minutes long and takes its time in allowing Lizzie to introduce and rant about each character (with some truly hilarious impressions involved) before they actually appear on screen. 'The Lizzie Bennet Diaries' was the first digital series to win an Emmy Award for its creative take on Jane Austen's classic and, available for viewing on YouTube, is an unmissable watch for Austen loyalists.
7'Persuasion' (2007)
'Persuasion' is largely regarded as Jane Austen's most autobiographical novel and was the last completed work written before her death in 1817. 'Persuasion' tells the story of Anne Elliot, a shy and level-headed woman largely considered a spinster by society due to being unmarried at 27 (we know, we know, but this was the early 19th century). Eight years ago, Anne rejected the proposal of Captain Frederick Wentworth despite her love for him, as her friends and family were unenthused by his lack of social standing and wealth. When Captain Wentworth returns a wealthy and bachelor, Anne is forced to consider the mistake she made in letting the love of her life go. 'Persuasion' is a devastatingly romantic take on Jane Austen's final novel, sure to leave viewers glued to their screens as they watch the quiet dance between two former loves.
8'Lost in Austen' (2008)
In this mini-series, Amanda Price, a die-hard Austen fan, comes home to her London flat one day to find 'Pride and Prejudice' heroine Elizabeth Bennet stood in her bathroom. It turns out that a secret door exists between Amanda's home in Hammersmith and the Bennet's estate in Longbourn. Elizabeth, fascinated by 21st century London life, agrees to switch places with Amanda, sending the modern-day Austenite back through the portal to the world of balls, bonnets and Bingley. As much of an Austen fan as she may be, however, Amanda has no idea how to handle the nuances of Regency society nor the opportunity to meet her fictional dream man: Mr Darcy. 'Lost in Austen' is a charming and witty story perfect for any romantic who has secretly wished they could slip through time and fiction for a dance with Mr Darcy.
9'Bridget Jones's Diary' (2001)
Based on Helen Fielding's 1996 novel which, in turn, lifted its plot from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Bridget Jones's Diary' gives a delightfully relatable 21st century revamp to the famous plot of misunderstandings and first impressions. Renée Zellweger takes up the most convincing English accent of all time as the 32-year-old Bridget Jones, a self-admittedly imperfect singleton torn between fantasising about her boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and exploring her connection to the uptight barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth, who may as well be an Austen character himself at this point). Bridget records her year of professional and personal mishaps in her at times cringe-worthy but always candid diary. Whilst the romance is rewarding to watch, we like to think it's the genuine, determined and witty Bridget that Jane Austen would be proudest of in this particular adaptation.
10'Pride and Prejudice' (2005)
Director Joe Wright's take on Jane Austen's most iconic love story fully indulges in gorgeous, whimsical cinematography and beautiful, windswept locales to bring the world of Elizabeth Bennet (expertly portrayed by Keira Knightley) to life. The combination of stunning visuals, a sweeping score and an incredible rain-drenched proposal scene makes this 2005 adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice' a fandom-wide favourite - we challenge you to hear Matthew Macfadyen utter the words "I love you - most ardently" and not pledge yourself to the Austen fan-club for life. The story of the five Bennet sisters the year Mr Darcy comes to town has never looked so good.
