Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility is a 2008 British television drama adaptation of Jane Austen's 1811 novel Sense and Sensibility. The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies, who revealed that the aim of the series was to make viewers forget Ang Lee's 1995 film Sense and Sensibility. The series was "more overtly sexual" than previous Austen adaptations, and Davies included scenes featuring a seduction and a duel that were absent from the feature film but are included in Austen's book. Sense and Sensibility was directed by John Alexander and produced by Anne Pivcevic. Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield starred as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, two sisters who go on "a voyage of burgeoning sexual and romantic discovery". The series was shot on location in the English counties of Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Devon for two months from April 2007. Sense and Sensibility was co-produced by the BBC and American studio WGBH Boston. It was aired in three parts from 1 January 2008 in the United Kingdom and attracted an average of 6 million viewers per episode. The first episode also became one of the top ten most streamed programmes on the BBC iPlayer. Sense and Sensibility garnered mostly positive reviews from television critics, while the cast and crew earned several award nominations for their work. It was released on a two-disc DVD in the UK on 14 January 2008. Plot When Henry Dashwood dies, he leaves his entire fortune and his home, Norland Park, to his son John. John promises that he will provide for his stepmother Mary Dashwood, and half-sisters Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. However, John's wife Fanny convinces him to make a much smaller provision than he had originally intended. In addition, they will have to leave Norland Park as it now belongs to John Dashwood. Fanny's brother Edward Ferrars comes to visit, and he quickly befriends Elinor. While Mrs. Dashwood hopes they will become engaged, Fanny informs her that his mother will not approve the match. Mrs. Dashwood receives a letter from her cousin, Sir John Middleton, offering her a small cottage on his estate, Barton Park in Devonshire. She and her daughters decide to leave Norland immediately. During a welcome dinner at Barton Park Sir John introduces the Dashwoods to his wife, Lady Middleton, her mother, Mrs. Jennings, and their family friend, Colonel Brandon. Brandon instantly falls in love with Marianne, but she believes that he is too old for her.