Latest news with #PrideandPrejudice
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Abbasi takes on Austen
Is Jane Austen the gift that keeps on giving? Whatever disgruntled literature students may feel, when you are a filmmaker, there is only one answer to this question, and it is this: yes. And thus, as per Variety, Pakistani director Asim Abbasi – he who brought us Barzakh last year, along with web series Churails (2020), feature film Cake (2018), as well as an episode of Famous Five Season 2 – will be stamping his mark as co-director on a production of BBC and BritBox adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister. Abbasi will work with fellow director Jennifer Sheridan to bring the ten-part series to life, which will be based on Janice Hadlow's novel of the same name. Hadlow's novel, in turn, can be best described as a fan fiction novel paying homage to the plain (and painfully average piano player) Mary Bennet from Austen's Pride and Prejudice. "The series follows Mary as she steps out of her sisters' shadows in search of her own identity and purpose – finding herself in the middle of an epic love story along the way," reads the BBC official synopsis, also shared by Abbasi on Instagram Stories. "Her journey will see her leave her family home in Meryton for the soirees of Regency London and the peaks and vales of the Lake District, all in search of independence, self-love and reinvention." Mary's tale of independence and reinvention looks to premier in 2026, with UK screen heavyweights Ruth Jones, Richard E Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle cast in key roles. Mary, the titular other Bennet sister, will be played by Bridgerton actor Ella Bruccoleri. Readers who stay away from fan fiction but have devoured Pride and Prejudice may (or nay not) be pleased to learn that the rest of the Bennet sisters will also feature in the series, along with their nemesis Caroline Bingley, friend Charlotte Lucas, and even bigger nemesis Mr Collins. Having brought to life Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed's web series Barzakh last year – a show that got banned in Pakistan within weeks of premiering due to its contentious plot and the choices made by its characters – Abbasi is no stranger to experimenting on the screen and taking on unconventional projects. Churails proved to be groundbreaking in its female-centric story; Cake shone a different lens on family drama and was Pakistan's submission for the 2019 Oscars. Last year, taking on an episode of Enid Blyton's Famous Five series proved the different directions Asim is willing to stretch to; having his name attached to what can ultimately be traced back to Pride and Prejudice highlights the filmmaker's versatility. Whilst it is difficult to categorise a period drama as 'bold' purely due to the subject matter, with Austen's catalogue of work still being particularly relevant to a Pakistani audience, it is only fitting that a director of Pakistani origin will bring his expertise to his latest project. 'Sense and Sensibility' soon It is not just Mary Bennet who is being dragged to the forefront; a much more beloved Austen character, Elinor Dashwood, is also due to have her moment in the sun once again after another film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility starring Daisy Edgar Jones (Normal People) was announced last week. As per the Guardian, production on the film begins next month. The film will be helmed by producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, no strangers to Austen, having previously worked together on 2005's Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and 2020's Emma with Anya Taylor-Joy. The last time Sense and Sensibility was presented to the big screen in 1995, it starred all the names anyone associates with British cinema; Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and (the late) Alan Rickman. Although the film contained a well-known cast, director Ang Lee famously reduced a young Winslet to tears by informing her that she would "get better". In addition, at the time, fans were left unconvinced with Thompson's pairing with a floppy-haired Grant looking eerily similar to his Four Weddings and Funeral role. With all these glaring flaws in mind, news of this latest version of Sense and Sensibility, at least, has not quite upset fans in the same way as Netflix's Pride and Prejudice announcement from April this year. Austen adaptations abound A swift glance at the outpouring of Austen films or series over the past 30 years shows that this Regency author may have died 250 years ago and written a scant six books before doing so, but she continues to be the gift that keeps on giving – despite what disillusioned literature students may have to say about it. Her classic meet cutes and staidly rom-coms – relatable even two-and-a-half-centuries down the line – prove that Austen is the Marvel equivalent of period dramas. There is always another adaptation waiting in the wings. And if the well is running dry vis a vis adaptations, Penguin can always be counted upon for releasing garish, historically inaccurate BookTok-friendly Austen covers in a bid to lure in modern readers. If you want nothing to do with BookTok covers of classics and are also tired of Austen adaptations filling up streaming platforms, you will have surmised by the above that unfortunately 2025 is not the year for you. Not only can we expect The Other Bennet Sister and Sense and Sensibility in the near future, earlier this in April, Netflix dismayed purist fans by announcing that yet another version of Pride and Prejudice is in the works. Meanwhile, straying only slightly further from Austen's work itself, French film Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (telling the story of a woman who yearns to live in Austen's world) unveiled in May. Lesson learned: Austen is here to stay, and has been for a long, long time.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Silent Witness star Emilia Fox 'thinking about end of life' and major challenge
Silent Witness star Emilia Fox talks about parenting, perfect days and planning for the future - and explains why working on the show for 21 years has changed her views on life and death She's played Dr Nikki Alexander in BBC drama Silent Witness for the past 21 years, but it's clear Emilia Fox still loves her 'dream role', which she says fits in comfortably with her role as mother to 14-year-old Rose, her daughter from her relationship with actor and director Jeremy Gilley. The London-born actress – who is the daughter of actors Edward Fox and Joanna David – has been in a relationship with TV production company boss Jonathan Stadlen, 44, for the last four years. She turns 51 next month, but says she wasn't remotely fazed by her milestone birthday last year. 'I'm really, really in a happy place now, and feeling enjoyably busy in a full life,' she beams. Here, the unflinchingly positive star discusses the joys of bonding with her teenage daughter and reveals what makes her perfect weekend… You turned 50 last year. Did that feel daunting? When I turned 40, people asked how I felt, but I think I was so busy that I didn't really stop to think about it. Turning 50, I like the feeling of stopping to think about it and also being able to acknowledge all of life's experiences so far – the twists and turns. It's often said that there are fewer opportunities for actresses as they get older. Would you agree? For a different generation, this was a very hard time. I saw it with my mum where, as women got older, they were getting fewer and fewer parts but, in fact, the writing today is embracing women of all ages, so it's an exciting time to be part of this profession. You've worked virtually non-stop since your daughter, Rose, was born. Has that been tricky to balance? I'm so lucky that I've been able to work and look after Rose. Being able to be there for her has been massively important. Silent Witness used to be filmed around the corner from me and they were very conscious of how much I wanted to be a present mother, so they made it work so I could be home at a normal time. Rose is now 14. How are you coping with parenting a teenager? We've got a good, close relationship and I just really want to be alongside her. I think teenagers need you in very different ways. They need guidance and advice about school life and friends and relationships. So I'm very happy to be alongside her for that. You come from an acting dynasty. Do you think Rose might follow you into the industry? My mum and dad never encouraged me to be an actor. In fact it was the opposite. They knew I'd seen the profession without the rose-tinted spectacles on – I'd seen the highs and the lows. What I want to do for Rose is for her to feel that she's been given the broadest possible horizons. I was very lucky – I was waitressing and I got the chance to audition for Pride and Prejudice. I sort of fell into the job and I didn't really think about it. But I would like her to look at it and go, 'What do I want to do in my life? What are the opportunities and the choices?' I didn't really think about the choices until now – and I'm 50. There's been a running theme of crime throughout your career. Are you as fascinated by it as your audiences are? I was a voracious reader as a child and I was brought up on the mysteries of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. That evolved into things like Inspector Morse on TV. It's the mystery of the crime genre I love, and when I got offered Silent Witness, it was the dream role. You've been working on the Channel 4 documentary series In The Footsteps Of Killers since 2021. Is there a big difference between playing Dr Nikki Alexander and looking at real-life crimes? There's a massive difference. In Silent Witness, we wrap up a story in two hours and there's a conclusion. In The Footsteps Of Killers , which I do with the brilliant and fascinating criminologist Professor David Wilson, is about cold cases, because it's so hard to keep the spotlight on them, and the hope is that someone might come forward. There are bereaved families who have lost loved ones and don't have the answers. It's utterly heartbreaking for them. Switching off from such gritty work must be hard. What does your perfect weekend look like? When I'm working I like getting up early, around 5am, because it's a good time to learn my lines. The days are just packed, so it gives me that quiet time to have a coffee, which I love – maybe too much – and to get on top of things before the day's started. But my perfect weekend would be Rose being here and going to a market, picking up some food and bringing it home. We also have two Daschunds, Dolly and Clive, who are very much part of family life, and Rose and I are loving going to the theatre together at the moment. It's a real revelation that we can go to the same shows. We have so much fun, so going to a matinee show would be great, then supper with friends and an early night. The really simple things in life are the things I love the most. Tell us about the pension campaign you're involved in. As a nation, we're not very good at talking openly about money, are we? I learnt that only one in three people in their fifties is getting pension advice, so I want to help turn the topic into a positive message. Turning 50 is like entering a sort of Renaissance period. We aren't slowing down, we're still busy and we still want to enjoy life. I got to 50 and there was a sudden moment of clarity, thinking, 'OK, that was the first half of my life – what do I want the second half to look like?' And, of course, there's an element of financial planning in there. What do you hope the next few years will bring? The main things are to spend time with Rose, keep working, be with my mum and dad as they get older, and also to learn something new and set myself some sort of fitness challenge – like the Appalachian Trail. It's all the things I love in life. My dad is 88, and working on Silent Witness makes you think about life – the living of it and also the end of it, which, hopefully for my dad, is far off. But I really do feel these are precious years. I'd also like to learn more about my passions, to learn more about flowers and horticulture. Oh, and learn to cook properly! * Emilia Fox is working with My Pension Expert to get one million more Brits seeking financial advice by 2030
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Daisy Edgar-Jones set to star in 'Sense and Sensibility' remake
ANI 26 Jun 2025, 19:09 GMT+10 Washington [US], June 26 (ANI): Daisy Edgar-Jones is set to star as Elinor Dashwood in a new remake of Jane Austen's classic novel 'Sense and Sensibility.' The film is in development at Focus Features, with Georgia Oakley directing and Diana Reid adapting the screenplay, Variety has confirmed. The production team includes Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, India Flint of November Pictures, and Jo Wallett. Edgar-Jones also shared the news on her Instagram handle, posting a photograph of herself with the novel in hand. Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' was Austen's first novel and follows the story of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood as they navigate love, loss, and financial uncertainty. The novel has been adapted for the screen several times, including a notable 1995 film starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Focus Features has previously backed remakes of Austen's work, including the 2005 version of 'Pride and Prejudice' and 2020's 'Emma.' Meanwhile, the 27-year-old British actor has gained recognition for her roles in Hulu's 'Normal People,' 'Where the Crawdads Sing,' and 'Twisters.' (ANI)
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Keira Knightley film branded 'monumental piece of trash' but fans 'freaking love' it
The 2012 film Anna Karenina was brought to screen by Joe Wright, the man behind period drama classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Atonment - but viewers have not been impressed The cinematic adaptation of the 1878 novel Anna Karenina has failed to impress contemporary audiences, being dismissed as 'trash' despite its stellar cast. Bringing the renowned novel to life, screenwriter Tom Stoppard and director Joe Wright - known for celebrated period pieces like Pride and Prejudice and Atonement - have woven this historical tapestry. Starring Keira Knightley in the lead role, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson as her lover Count Vronsky, and featuring stars such as Jude Law and even supermodel Cara Delevingne, the film set audience expectations sky-high. However, viewers were left wanting, enduring over two hours of scenes they found 'impossible to watch'. A damning Rotten Tomatoes review lamented the lack of emotional depth, stating: "The atmosphere, the feelings - just aren't there. If you are trying to adapt a Russian classic novel, understanding the culture is crucial." Sporting a mere 63% overall score on Rotten Tomatoes, Anna Karenina hasn't enjoyed the accolades it was presumably aiming for upon joining streaming platforms. Nonetheless, at the time of its cinema debut, the flick clinched an Academy Award and a BAFTA for costume design, earning several nominations for its sumptuous visual treats, reports the Express. Critics and audiences alike have been dissecting the film's performances, particularly from the two leads who had a tough act to follow due to the novel's acclaim. One review pointed out: "Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's dry performances do little to elevate a truncated and emotionally flat Anna Karenina.." The film has been described as preferring to tick off plot points rather than delve into the deeper philosophical themes of the story, yet it's hard to overlook director Joe Wright's bold artistic vision. Despite its shortcomings, his visual flair is noted to just about redeem the film: "A film more content to step through its source materials narrative beats rather than dig deeply into its philosophical underpinnings, but it is difficult to ignore director Joe Wright's arresting creative vision whose visual ambition ultimately outweighs its faults... if only just." The storyline follows the tragic tale of Russian aristocrat Anna Karenina, the wife of a high-ranking government official, Alexei Karenin, and her illicit affair with Count Vronsky, a cavalry officer. Their clandestine romance becomes a scandal in their elite social circles, leading to Anna's ostracisation and eventual downfall. Regarding the casting choices, one viewer expressed severe disappointment, writing: "What a monumental piece of trash, and such an incredible amount of talent wasted. This was a very disgusting deconstructionist approach. It was almost like Joe Wright hates the audience." Another aspect that drew attention was the film's music, which was described as unsettling throughout, although the cinematography and ensemble were praised: "The music is intentionally unnerving the entire time, but it's beautifully shot, with an amazing cast. Good for stills, and maybe a trailer/teaser. I freaking LOATHE this film. Good artists are going to take vengeance, mark my words." One viewer posted: "Amazing directing but oh my god the plot didn't hit at all. Too much train foreshadowing, no chemistry at all between Anna and Vronsky (which is crazy because Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor Johnson are both very attractive people). "The side characters were more interesting (Matthew Macfadyen and Domhnall Gleeson outsold)." Anna Karenina is currently streaming on Amazon Prime, offering an immersive experience with its costume, production design, and cinematography. Alternatively, those in the mood for a period drama might find more popular adaptations among Joe Wright's other films.
Metro
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Daisy Edgar-Jones to star in remake of classic Jane Austen period drama
Daisy Edgar-Jones is set to lead a new adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved book, Sense and Sensibility. Focus Features and Working Title Film announced on Wednesday that the Twisters star would be taking on the lead role as Elinor Dashwood. The project sees the production companies take on yet another one of Austen's books following their 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, and their 2020 adaptation of Emma starring Anna Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn. Sense and Sensibility will see Georgia Oakley direct and Diana Reid write the script. Oakley is best known for directing Little Bird, Blue Jean, and the short film Callow & Sons. Daisy, 27, teased her upcoming role to her followers on social media as she posed with the Penguin Classics book with an eye emoji as the caption. Daisy first came to fame starring opposite Paul Mescal in the TV series Normal People. After starring in the series as Marianne, she went on to appear in a number of major movies, including Fresh, Where The Crawdads Sing, On Swift Horses, and Twisters. Sense and Sensibility was famously adapted in 1995 with Emma Thompson playing Elinor Dashwood and Kate Winslet as her sister Marianne Dashwood. Hugh Grant starred as Elinor's love interest Edward Ferrars, with Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon, the man constantly pining for Marianne. The story focuses on the wealthy Dashwood sisters who are part of the landed gentry but are suddenly left with a meagre inheritance after the death of their father. More Trending They are forced to attempt to secure their financial security by marrying well, but of course, complications arise as they hunt to navigate their change of circumstance. There is to be a variety of classic adaptations coming in the next few years, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi set to star in Salburn director Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights. A remake of Austen's Pride and Prejudice has also been announced by Netflix and is set to star The Crown's Emma Corrin, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden and Olivia Colman. The six-part series is set to be written by journalist and author Dolly Alderton, who wrote the critically acclaimed novel, Everything I Know About Love. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Chilling' film about shocking true crime quietly added to free streaming service MORE: Horror fans left 'speechless' after nightmare-inducing movie hosts creepy livestream MORE: Inside Saw's future as '100% dead' horror franchise gets exciting update
