New movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ is being made

Jane Austen fans can look forward to a fresh version of Persuasion.

The author’s final completed novel, the book was published six months after Austen’s death in 1817.

Persuasion has been adapted for television a number of times, but unbelievably this will be the first big screen adaptation.

A romance of second chances, the story was most recently adapted in 2007 by ITV, starring Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) as Anne and Rupert Penry-Jones (Whitechapel) as Captain Wentworth.

The new movie comes from the producers of Suffragette with BBC Films.

It’ll be directed Mahalia Belo, who helmed the BBC’s adaptation of The Long Song in 2018.

The script is being written by Jessica Swale, who wrote and directed Gemma Arterton’s new World War II drama Summerland.

Persuasion tells the story of Anne Elliot who, many years after refusing the proposal of young naval officer Frederick Wentworth, finds herself navigating the waters of English society when Wentworth returns from war a wealthy and decorated captain. As Anne ponders missed opportunities, she must consider her own regrets and unwavering, possibly unrequited love.

32-year-old Australian actress Sarah Snook (Succession) will play Anne Elliot in the movie.

Persuasion is expected to arrive in cinemas in late 2021.

Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion is available on Amazon.