Sense and Sensibility (2026)
Directed by: Georgia Oakley
Premise: An adaptation of the novel by Jane Austen. Following the death of their father, the Dashwood family relocates from their Sussex estate to a country cottage.
What Works: Period pieces tend to make the past look tidy. Costumes, hairstyles, and sets are often meticulously designed, giving these films the look of a museum installation instead of an organic space in which people live. This version of Sense and Sensibility is very connected to the land and it often feels dirty and organic especially when the Dashwood family relocates to the country. Everything feels a little unkempt which assists the film’s visual credibility but also highlights the class differences between the Dashwoods and their wealthier companions. One of the main attractions of Austen’s novels is the way she intermingles romance with economic stakes. This version of Sense and Sensibility foregrounds the romance between Elinor Dashwood (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Edward Ferrars (George Mckay) and between Marianne Dashwood (Esmé Creed-Miles) and her suitors John Willoughby and Colonel Brandon (Frank Dillane and Herbert Nordrum). The romance is vivid and the actors are likable. They make us want to see these people get together. But the economic considerations are never far behind the heartache. The filmmakers find an effective proportion between the romance and the economics. It’s not callously calculated but the breakups hit harder because the film makes clear how the women’s economic prospects are at the mercy of their suitors. The actors mostly underplay the romance and the filmmakers pick up on subtle but revealing details of their performances. There’s also a lot of witty, passive aggressive humor that the cast delivers quite well. This film includes a few colorful supporting performances by Fiona Shaw as matchmaker Mrs. Jennings and Turlough Convery as Sir John Middleton.
What Doesn’t: The works of Jane Austen and Sense and Sensibility in particular have been adapted again and again as feature films and television productions. If there’s a major critique of 2026’s Sense and Sensibility it’s that we’ve seen this story numerous times before. This is a straightforward and respectful adaptation. It does not take any major artistic liberties with the source material or approach it in a way that offers a fresh perspective on Austen’s novel. On the whole, the men of this film are not as compelling as the women. The duel between John Willoughby and Colonel Brandon doesn’t quite convey it’s meaning for their characters because the scene is staged from the women’s point of view.
Bottom Line: 2026’s Sense and Sensibility is a dutiful adaption of this story. While there’s not much new here, this is a well-executed adaptation with good performances and an interesting visual style.
Episode: #1124 (November 1, 2026)