The suits at Netflix, bless them, have gifted the people our first look at the extremely necessary adaptation of Persuasion, starring Dakota Johnson. Whoever thought this one up has my eternal thanks.
Persuasion, based on the adored novel by Jane Austen, is being helmed by theatre director Carrie Cracknell. Netflix has described it as a “modern, witty approach” to the classic, which has already been adapted numerous times in the past. Is that going to stop me from watching this new version? Absolutely not. I am but a fool for Jane Austen adaptations.
Persuasion follows the life of one Anne Elliot, a woman who was persuaded to dump her fiancé (a man she really, really loved) by her annoying, narcissistic family. I haven’t read the book in yonks, but I’m pretty sure it was because he, Frederick Wentworth, didn’t have much money or ~ status ~ in society.
Heartbroken, he takes to the sea and returns eight years later as the rich and fancy Captain Wentworth. Anne, meanwhile, is verging on “spinsterhood” and is still in love with Wentworth, who hasn’t completely forgiven her for breaking off their engagement.
You get the gist.
This week, Netflix released the first few pictures of the cast… and when I say I screamed.
Here’s Johnson as Anne Elliot.
*Gasps*.
In the book, Austen goes on about Anne having lost her “bloom”, which is to say she’s not as attractive as she once was. Now that’s funny to me because Dakota Johnson is neither unattractive nor bloom-less.
Next up is Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth), who portrays Captain Wentworth. I’m not too familiar with Jarvis, but he definitely has Wentworth’s cold look of indifference down pat.
And last, but certainly not least, is Mr Henry Golding in period clothing. He plays Anne’s cousin in the adaptation. Am I upset he’s not playing Wentworth? Yes, yes I am. Ah well.
I would like to be that little cup and saucer, balancing ever so delicately on his lap.
ANYWAY, Suki Waterhouse (Love, Rosie), Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), and Nikki Amuka-Bird (Luther) co-star.
Netflix hasn’t announced an exact release date just yet, but we can expect this one to hit our screens in 2022.
