Focus Features and Working Title Films Adapting Jane Austen Classic Sense and Sensibility Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones

Focus Features and Working Title Films are bringing audiences a fresh take on Jane Austen’s classic Sense and Sensibility with Daisy Edgar-Jones starring. The film is being directed by BAFTA Award nominee Georgia Oakley, whose recent debut won the People’s Choice Award at the Venice Film Festival, from a script by bestselling author Diana Reid. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films will produce alongside India Flint of November Pictures and Jo Wallett.

Edgar-Jones has quickly emerged as a prominent rising star, leading the global hit Twisters and the adaptation of the novel phenomenon Where the Crawdads Sing, as well as both executive producing and starring opposite Jacob Elordi and Will Poulter in On Swift Horses. On the small screen, she earned both BAFTA Award and Golden Globe nominations for her lead role opposite Paul Mescal in Normal People, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Under the Banner of Heaven. In addition to her screen work, she has starred in several West End plays.

Oakley is known for both writing and directing her debut feature Blue Jean. The film earned Oakley a BAFTA Award nomination for Outstanding Debut. She has directed several successful short films, including Tribeca award nominee Little Bird, as well as the SXSW-nominated pilot for Bored. Reid is the acclaimed author of multiple bestselling novels. Her debut, the bestseller “Love & Virtue,” won several book prizes, including the ABIA Book of the Year Award. Her second novel, “Seeing Other People,” was also a bestseller and was shortlisted for the Indie Award for Best Fiction. Her third book, “Signs of Damage,” was released to critical acclaim in March 2025.

Sense and Sensibility returns Focus and Working Title to Austen’s legendary body of work, after their collaboration on the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, earning four Academy Award® nominations and cementing Focus as a leading independent film company, and the 2020 adaptation of Emma. The studio’s recent theatrical releases include Edward Berger’s Conclave, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, and Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag. Sense and Sensibility further expands a robust slate of upcoming films from visionary talents, including Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Bugonia, Ronan Day-Lewis’ debut Anemone, Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, as well as Honey Don’t!, CC: Emily, and Pressure, in partnership with Working Title.

Working Title Films, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, is one of the world’s leading production companies, having created over 130 films that have grossed over $9 billion. They have received 10 Academy Award Best Picture Nominations and have won 15 Academy Awards, 11 Golden Globes, and over 40 BAFTA Awards. Recent films from Working Title include Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, Steve McQueen’s Blitz, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Working Title’s upcoming productions include Lena Dunham’s Too Much starring Meg Stalter and Will Sharpe; Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Monica Barbaro; and Three Bags Full starring Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson.

Originally published anonymously with the byline reading “By A Lady,” Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” established her as a literary force and remains a cornerstone of English literature. The timeless exploration of restraint and passion follows sisters Elinor (Edgar-Jones) and Marianne Dashwood, opposites in their emotional approach, as they navigate love, loss, and financial uncertainty amid the societal expectations of 18th century England. Celebrated for its wit, deep social insights, and enduring cultural relevance, the novel launched the bright career of one of history’s greatest authors.

Edgar-Jones is represented by UTA, Hamilton Hodell, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Oakley is represented by CAA and Lark. Reid is represented by Curtis Brown.