Every 10 or 15 years, a new attempt is made to adapt “Persuasion,” Jane Austen’s emotionally nuanced final novel. The latest iteration, directed by Carrie Cracknell and written by Ron Bass and Alice Victoria Winslow, takes significant liberties with language and tone. Austen’s Anne Elliot is a good-natured and competent young woman who is overlooked by her silly family and unhealed from the heartbreak of her former engagement to Captain Wentworth eight years prior.
In the Netflix film (which is now streaming), Anne (Dakota Johnson) is a wine-toting klutz who tends to blurt out her thoughts at large dinner parties à la Bridget Jones. When her father Sir Walter (Richard E. Grant) goes into debt, the family moves to a slightly smaller mansion in another town, bringing Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis) and another suitor, Mr. Elliot (Henry Golding) back into the fold.
Austen purists will be relieved that most of the original characters (minus Mrs. Smith) remain intact – meaning that there are quite a few names and relations to keep straight. With that in mind, TheWrap rounds up the essential names and faces, from Kellynch Hall and Uppercross to Lyme and Bath.
Note: Character descriptions are modeled on the film, not the book.
Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot
“Persuasion”s heroine is the middle Elliot sister, superior of heart, mind and soul. Her kindness and patience with even her most insufferable relations makes her a favorite with everyone outside of her immediate family. Nearly a decade before the story begins, she breaks off her engagement to the love of her life, Wentworth, and now copes by drinking lots of fine wine. Anne is played by “Fifty Shades of Gray” star Dakota Johnson, who most recently starred in “Cha Cha Real Smooth.”
Cosmo Jarvis as Frederick Wentworth
That’s Captain Wentworth to you. In the years since Anne Elliot ended their romance, Wentworth has upped his social standing – and net worth – by becoming a respected Navy officer. Confident, handsome and slightly stoic, he’s one of his social circle’s most eligible bachelors. “Lady Macbeth” and “Peaky Blinders” actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays him in the film.
Henry Golding as Mr. Elliot
Henry Golding of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame plays Mr. Elliot, Anne’s dashing cousin and Sir Walter’s heir. He re-enters the Elliots’ lives after a long absence and puts on the charm to get back into their good graces.
Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter Elliot
Anne’s vain and frivolous father is played by Richard E. Grant, the venerable stage and screen actor known for “Withnail & I,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and “Gosford Park” among other projects. If only Sir Walter cared for his budget as much as he does his own reflection! When his debts catch up to him, that catalyzes the family’s move from Kellynch Hall – which they rent to the Crofts – to Bath.
Nikki Amuka-Bird as Lady Russell
Lady Russell stepped in when Anne’s mother passed away and has served as a loving and loyal advisor ever since. She persuaded Anne to end her relationship with Wentworth because he didn’t have enough funds to provide for her at the time. You might recognize Nikki Amuka-Bird from recent films like “The Outfit” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old.”
Yolanda Kettle as Elizabeth Elliot
Elizabeth (right) is the eldest of the Elliot sisters. Truly her father’s daughter, she’s snobby, judgmental and dismissive of Anne. Actress Yolanda Kettle has appeared in films like “Made In Italy” and played Camilla Fry, Antony Armstrong-Jones’ mistress in “The Crown.”
Mia McKenna-Bruce as Mary Musgrove
Anne’s younger sister is just as proud as her oldest sister and father, but with a dramatic flair of the hypochondriac variety. While Elizabeth and Sir Walter settle in Bath, she enlists Anne to stay with her at Uppercross and help take care of the children she shares with her husband Charles. She’s played by Mia Mckenna-Bruce, known for the British TV show “The Dumping Ground” and Netflix’s “Get Even.”
Nia Towle as Louisa Musgrove
Louisa is Charles’ younger sister and a dear companion to Anne. She encourages Anne to pursue Wentworth once he’s back in the picture, before setting her own sights on him. Actress Nia Towle previously featured in the TV Movie “The Hollow” and “Rocketman.”
Izuka Hoyle as Henrietta Musgrove
Charles’ other sister is Henrietta. Like Louisa, she’s lively, happy and loves a good piece of gossip as much as anyone. She’s portrayed by Izuka Hoyle, who played Dana in “The Wheel of Time,” Wren in “The Outpost,” and Mary Seton in “Mary Queen of Scots.”
Lydia Rose Bewley as Penelope Clay
Penelope Clay (left) is an Elliot groupie who befriends Elizabeth and accompanies her and Sir Walter to Bath. She is a widow and the daughter of Mr. Shepherd, a financial advisor to Sir Walter. Various characters, particularly Lady Russell, are suspicious that she “has designs” to seduce and marry Sir Walter. Lydia Rose Bewley played Jane in “The Inbetweeners” films and acted in “Drunk History: UK.”
Ben Bailey-Smith as Charles Musgrove
Charles Musgrove is Mary’s better half, and the brother of Louisa and Henrietta. Ben Bailey-Smith recently appeared in Apple TV+’s “Suspicion” and “Cinderella” with Camila Cabello.
Stewart Scudamore as Admiral Croft
Admiral Croft is a naval officer who rents Kellynch Hall from Sir Walter Elliot when his debts catch up to him. He’s played by Stewart Scudamore, who also played Dr. Quantock in “The Electric Life of Louis Wain” and has held roles in shows like “Miracle Workers” and “The Great”.
Agni Scott as Mrs. Croft
Agni Scott plays Mrs. Croft, the wife of Admiral Croft and the sister of Frederick Wentworth. She played Camilla in “Bridget Jones’s Baby” (a sequel to a film loosely based on another Austen classic, “Pride and Prejudice”) and most recently acted in “The Bay of Silence.”
Edward Bluemel as Captain Harville
Captain Harville is a good friend of Captain Wentworth’s from the navy. He’s played by Edward Bluemel, who you might know as MI6 agent Hugo Turner from “Killing Eve.” Bluemel also played Luke Nightingale in “Ten Percent” and Marcus Whitmore in “A Discovery of Witches.”
Afolabi Alli as Captain Benwick
Captain Benwick (right), another naval pal of Wentworth’s, is a widower mourning the death of his wife Frances (Captain Harville’s sister). A scholarly man, Benwick and Anne bond over their shared love of poetry and literature. Afolabi Alli will next be seen in “Game of Thrones” spinoff series “House of the Dragon.”
