Everything To Know About Persuasion, Netflix’s New Jane Austen Film

Another classic Jane Austen novel will be getting the Netflix treatment, with the likes of Dakota Johnson and Henry Golding bringing the story of Persuasion to life for viewers everywhere. As proven by the success of Anya Taylor-Joy’s Emma and the countless versions of Pride and Prejudice, it’s safe to say there’s still an insatiable demand for Austen adaptations. In fact, it was recently announced that Succession's Sarah Snook will play Anne Elliot in a different Persuasion movie, so Austen-heads are going to be quite satisfied in the coming months. However, the focus of Netflix’s Persuasion will be on Johnson’s take on the quietly intellectual protagonist and her battle against the expectations of society as a woman. Here’s everything to know so far about Netflix’s adaptation of Persuasion.

Persuasion Plot

Adapted from the famous Jane Austen novel, the film follows Anne Elliot, a non-conforming woman with modern sensibilities. As her snobby family find themselves on the brink of bankruptcy, her former fiancé Captain Frederick Wentworth - aka the one she let get away - crashes back into her life.

Suddenly, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances. Directed by Carrie Cracknell, this new adaptation promises to provide "a modern, witty approach" to the classic story that was first published in the 1800s.

Netflix shared the first official images earlier this year and it looks like we’re in for a real treat. The released stills of Johnson, Golding, and Cosmo Jarvis show the trio in period costumes; however, Johnson's looks appear to have a bit of a contemporary twist. On June 13, Vogue published a first look at the film complete with new imagery and a conversation with Cracknell and Johnson. The modernity of the story and style was an important aspect for both of them, and played a large role in them coming to this project. “I think the humor [in Persuasion] absolutely speaks to Jane Austen’s writing, but it also has a sort of modernity,” Cracknell says. “We really hoped it would help the material to connect with a new or younger audience.” Johnson added, “I was drawn to the occasionally modernized language and themes, breaking the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience, and the fact that a strong-willed woman remains as much a topic of discussion these days as it was then.”

Persuasion Cast

The film features a star-studded cast as the Fifty Shades of Grey star is joined by Crazy Rich Asians’ Henry Golding (playing Mr Elliot), How to Get Ahead in Advertising star Richard E. Grant as Anne’s father, and Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth) as Wentworth. Nikki Amuka-Bird (Hard Sun) and Mia McKenna-Bruce (EastEnders) also round out the cast.

Persuasion Release Date & Trailer

Fans won’t have to wait too long because the film will be available to stream on Netflix from July 15. The official trailer was released on June 14 with Johnson perfecting an English accent as she embodies Anne Elliot. In it, she muses about her first love Wentworth (Jarvis) whom she was forced to give up by her self-centered family. Eight years later, she’s still holding a torch for him when he reappears in her life and attempts to be her friend as she’s courted by another man (Golding). “Now we’re worse than exes,” Anne sighs on the beach. “We’re friends.” The film promises to be a modernized period piece with Fleabag vibes as Johnson provides a voiceover and occasionally breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the camera, though not all fans are excited about this take on the original material.