Daisy Edgar-Jones says she identifies strongly with Elinor Dashwood, the sensible elder sister she plays in the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart.

“I lead a lot with my head and try and push aside, bury my emotion,” Edgar-Jones told the BBC, describing herself as more like Elinor than her younger and more romantic sister Marianne.

However, she said one of the pleasures of the film is watching Elinor discover and embrace a more passionate side of herself.

“And I feel like I learnt to do that too,” the 28-year-old actress said.

Best known for her breakout role opposite Paul Mescal in the hit series Normal People, Edgar-Jones now leads the latest screen adaptation of Austen’s classic novel.

Directed by Georgia Oakley, the film follows the Dashwood sisters as they deal with love, loss and social expectations after their father’s death. Unlike some modern adaptations, the new film remains firmly rooted in the period in which Austen wrote.

Edgar-Jones said she admired the film’s traditional setting but felt its filmmaking brought a fresh quality to the story.

She stars alongside Esmé Creed-Miles, 26, who plays Marianne. The actresses had previously worked together as teenagers on the 2018 film Pond Life, which helped them develop a natural on-screen sisterly bond.

Creed-Miles said they had fun working together on the earlier film, recalling that they often had sleepovers and watched Love Island.

Edgar-Jones said the theme of sisterhood has remained particularly meaningful to her, despite being an only child.

“I’ve heard a lot of people say that after watching the film, it either makes them want a sister or to ring up their sister and say, ‘Hey, I love you,’ and I think that’s really special,” she said.

Sense and Sensibility has been adapted for the screen several times, including the acclaimed 1995 film starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. Edgar-Jones said she loves that version but believes Austen’s stories continue to offer new possibilities.

“She has an incredible way of articulating the female experience,” she said, pointing to Austen’s writing about love, romance, family relationships and social dynamics.

Edgar-Jones also believes Austen’s themes remain relevant to younger audiences. She noted that emotions surrounding love, heartbreak and first relationships have changed little in 200 years.

“We still have the same human heart as we did 200 years ago,” she said.

Creed-Miles agreed, saying the characters could help viewers feel less alone in experiences they are going through.

Edgar-Jones also addressed reports that Mescal could be considered for the role of James Bond. While she did not confirm whether he was in the running, she praised her former co-star.

“I don’t know, but I think there’s nothing Paul can’t do,” she said.
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Source: BBC