A Brief Film History Of Jane Austen’s Heroines

Universal Pictures

It seems that the work of one of history’s most beloved literary heroines could be treated to TV treatment once again.

It’s reported that streaming giant Netflix is working on a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous novel, Pride and Prejudice.

As many know, Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest Bennet daughter, and her tumultuous path to finding love with the wealthy Mr. Darcy

It has been reported by Deadline that the new TV show is set to be adapted by British author Dolly Alderton. Alderton is best known for her 2018 memoir Everything I Know About Love and her latest novel, Good Material.

Rumours were swirling about the prospect of Normal People’s Daisy Edgar Jones taking on the role of Elizabeth Bennet (could there be a better candidate?), however there is no solid evidence as of yet.

Although we may have to wait a while before we see who will be playing the iconic Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, let’s have a look some of the famous faces that have brought Austen’s female protagonists to life over the years.

Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet – Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Emma Thompson portrayed the protagonist, Elinor Dashwood, in this adaptation of Austen’s 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility.

Prior to garnering immense popularity as Rose in Titanic, Winslet also starred as Marianne Dashwood, the younger sister of Elinor Dashwood in the film.

Gwyneth Paltrow – Emma (1996)

The actress behind wellbeing brand Goop played the spoilt and mischievous matchmaker Emma Woodhouse alongside English Actor Jeremy Northam in the 1996 version of Austen’s 1815 novel Emma.

Renee Zellweger – Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)

A slightly more alternative option on this list is Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary. The film, starring Renee Zellweger as the 30-year-old protagonist in search of love, draws parallels to Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Fielding has mentioned in the past that Bridget Jones is based on Austen’s work (as if Mark Darcy wasn’t a big enough clue).

Kiera Knightley – Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Kiera Knightley starred as the remarkable Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice alongside Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.

This remake of the film came ten years after the 1995 BBC adaptation starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

Anya Taylor-Joy – EMMA (2020)

The Queen’s Gambit actress smashed the role of Emma Woodhouse in the most recent BAFTA nominated take on Austen’s Emma.

Taylor-Joy starred alongside Johnny Flynn, who played Mr. Knightley.

Dakota Johnson – Persuasion (2022)

Dakota Johnson took on the role of Anne Elliot in Netflix’s reimagining of Jane Austen’s 1817 novel Persuasion in 2022.

Here’s to hoping we won’t have to wait too long to see the next Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy!