It has been more than thirty years since the famous film adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility hit theaters, starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Now it is time for a new generation. The new Sense and Sensibility starring Daisy Edgar-Jones will be released in Dutch cinemas starting October 15, 2026.
What is Sense and Sensibility about?
Sense and Sensibility is an 1811 novel by Jane Austen. Following the death of their father, the two older Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, are forced to leave their estate as it passes to their half-brother. They move to a modest cottage and both seek love and security in their own way, within a society that determines their future based on who they marry.
Elinor is the sensible sister who hides her feelings to protect others. Marianne is the passionate sister who feels everything and hides nothing. The tension between their two characters is the heart of the story.
Sense and Sensibility represents the two sides of the character: the sense of Elinor and the sensibility of Marianne. Both are necessary for a full life, but they are difficult to combine.
The cast of the new film
Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood
Daisy Edgar-Jones is known for Normal People, Where the Crawdads Sing, and Twisters. She plays Elinor, the responsible eldest sister who hides her own feelings to protect those around her.
Edgar-Jones arguably has the capacity to play intense romantic longing while simultaneously maintaining Elinor's calm and composure. That is exactly the balance the character demands.
Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne Dashwood
Creed-Miles previously starred in the television series Hanna. She plays Marianne, Elinor's passionate and outspoken younger sister. She and Edgar-Jones had already worked together as teenagers in the 2018 film Pond Life, meaning they had an existing connection before being cast as sisters.
George MacKay as Edward Ferrars
MacKay is known for his role as a young British soldier in Sam Mendes' Academy Award-winning war drama 1917. He plays Edward Ferrars, the shy and reserved man whom Elinor loves but is unsure if he loves her back.
Caitríona Balfe as Mrs. Dashwood
Known from the television series Outlander. She plays the mother of the Dashwood sisters.
Frank Dillane as John Willoughby
Known from Fear the Walking Dead. He plays the charming but unreliable Willoughby, Marianne's great love.
Herbert Nordrum as Colonel Brandon
Known from The Worst Person in the World. He plays the quiet and loyal Colonel Brandon, Marianne's second admirer.
Fiona Shaw as Mrs. Jennings
Known from Killing Eve. She plays the brusque but well-meaning Mrs. Jennings.
The director and the script
The film is directed by Georgia Oakley, known for Blue Jean and Little Bird. The script is written by Diana Reid, an Australian novelist and screenwriter.
It is the first major theatrical version of Sense and Sensibility since Ang Lee's celebrated 1995 film. The new version remains a historical drama but promises a more naturalistic world and a stronger focus on the changing relationship between the sisters.
What changes from the book?
The filmmakers have promised that the film remains faithful to Jane Austen's story but with a fresh perspective. Two changes have already been noted by readers who have seen early screenings.
The film places more emphasis on the bond between the sisters than on the romantic storylines. This fits with Georgia Oakley's previous work, which always revolves around female relationships and how they are influenced by external pressures.
Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles had an existing connection before filming began, and that is visible in their chemistry as Elinor and Marianne.
Read the book before you go to the cinema
Sense and Sensibility is a compact book by Jane Austen, written in 1811. It is shorter than Pride and Prejudice and reads surprisingly easily for modern readers. Most readers finish it in a long weekend.
The benefits of the book over the film:
You better understand the emotional layers of Elinor and Marianne. The film can never fully convey how differently the two sisters see the world. In the book, you see that from the inside out.
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Elinor in the role that Emma Thompson played in 1995. Thompson won an Oscar for the screenplay of that adaptation. That is the bar against which this new version will be measured.
Why Sense and Sensibility is still relevant today
Jane Austen wrote about women who were dependent on who they married for their financial future. That context is different today, but the emotional dilemmas are not.
How do you hide feelings to protect others? How do you trust someone who doesn't show their true character? How do you balance what you feel with what is sensible?
Those questions are just as relevant in 2026 as they were in 1811.
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✔ Reading Log (€1.99) — track your Jane Austen reading list
✔ Glass Can — for your iced coffee or matcha while reading
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Frequently asked questions about Sense and Sensibility 2026
When can I see the new Sense and Sensibility film?
The film will be in theaters in the United Kingdom starting September 25, 2026, and in Dutch cinemas starting October 15, 2026. In the United States, the release is October 16, 2026.
Who plays Elinor and Marianne in the new film?
Daisy Edgar-Jones plays Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed-Miles plays Marianne Dashwood.
Who is directing the new Sense and Sensibility?
Georgia Oakley is directing the film based on a script by Diana Reid.
Is Sense and Sensibility based on a book?
Yes. Sense and Sensibility is an 1811 novel by Jane Austen. It is the first major theatrical adaptation of the book since Ang Lee's celebrated 1995 film starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
When will Sense and Sensibility be available for streaming?
Focus Features has not yet confirmed a streaming release date. The film will have an exclusive theatrical release first.
Do I need to read the book before the film?
The book is compact and reads surprisingly easily for modern readers. Reading it before the film provides more emotional context, especially for the character of Elinor, whose internal world is most often lost in film adaptations.