Who stars with Anya Taylor-Joy in the new Jane Austen film adaptation of Emma?

Wednesday, 5th February 2020, 12:54 pm
Updated Wednesday, 5th February 2020, 12:54 pm

This year's adaptation of Emma is the first screen adaption of the classic Jane Austen story since the BBC's four-part miniseries in 2009.

It's also the first big-screen outing for the characters since 1996's Gwyneth Paltrow-starring adaptation.

It's one of the most anticipated movies of the month, and the comedy-drama film looks set to be perfect Valentine's viewing.

Here's everything you need to know about it:

What is Emma about?

Based on the classic Jane Austen novel, Emma tells the story of the titular resident of the village of Highbury.

Though she is convinced that she will never marry, she believes herself to be naturally gifted at matchmaking others.

After finding a successful match between her governess and village widower Mr. Weston, Emma takes it upon herself to find an eligible match for new friend Harriet Smith.

Who stars in it?

(Photo: Focus Features)

Anya Taylor-Joy (Peaky Blinders, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) stars in the titular role as the 21-year old protagonist described in the novel's opening sentence as "handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition."

Musician and actor Johnny Flynn (Vanity Fair, Lovesick) stars opposite her as landowner and gentleman farmer, George Knightley.

Bill Nighy is Mr. Woodhouse, Emma's father and a wealthy member of the English landed gentry who owns a large country estate, while Mia Goth (High Life, Suspiria) plays Harriet Smith.

Miranda Hart will provide much comic relief as the shabby and genteel Miss Bates, Josh O'Connor (The Crown's Prince Charles) is Mr. Elton and Callum Turner (War & Peace) plays Frank Churchill.

Elsewhere, Rupert Graves (The War of the Worlds) is Mr. Weston, Gemma Whelan (White House Farm) is his wife Mrs. Weston, Amber Anderson (Strike) plays Jane Fairfax, and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) is Mrs. Elton.

Who directed it?

Emma director Autumn de Wilde in 2013 (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Emma was directed by American photographer and director Autumn de Wilde, who makes her directorial debut with the film.

Before big-screen directing, de Wilde was known was her music video work, as well as her photography of musicians, and she's worked with acts like Elliott Smith, The Raconteurs, The White Stripes, Beck, Built to Spill, Wilco, and New Found Glory.

The film was written by New Zealand author Eleanor Catton, who won the 2013 Man Booker Prize with her second novel The Luminaries.

Catton caused controversy in 2015, when she spoke out against the governments of Australia, Canada and New Zealand, calling them "neo-liberal, profit-obsessed, very shallow, very money-hungry politicians who do not care about culture."

Catton was called a "traitor" and "ungrateful", after it was revealed she had received around $50,000 in Creative New Zealand support over her career.

But she said she would "of course" discuss "the frightening swiftness with which the powerful Right move to discredit and silence those who question them, and the culture of fear and hysteria that prevails."

The film's score has been provided by Isobel Waller-Bridge, the older sister of Phoebe Waller-Bridge known for being the composer of Fleabag.

When can I see it?

Emma is released in UK cinemas on Valentine's Day, Friday 14 February.

This article originally appeared on iNews