Netflix adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion

[StrychnineInTheSandwiches]

Persuasion is my favourite Austen novel. All that longing, those disappointed dreams, the lost bloom of youth. And Captain Wentworth smouldering about the place.

Well Netflix have produced an adaptation featuring Dakota Johnson acting all giggly and Fleabag-ish. Wearing lipstick! Calling Wentworth her ‘ex’.

I will no doubt watch it as soon as soon it’s released next month but I suspect I’ll snort my way through it.

Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds will always be the perfect Anne and Wentworth so I’ll try not to get too precious about this reinterpretation.

But watching the trailer made all ‘u wot mate?’ (as eloquent as Jane herself I’m sure you’ll agree).

That looks dreadful. It's my favourite Jane Austen as well but I'm not sure I'll watch this version.

I like the Rupert Penry-Jones bbc version.

Hard pass I think.

I don't have Netflix but I would still watch this for a laugh if I had.

Dakota J looks different?

She comes across way too smarmy to be Anne but I’ll probably give it a shot as Persuasion is my favourite Austen

It’s my favourite Austen novel too. I love the Amanda Root version as a treat on a quiet Sunday afternoon but I have to say I’m all over this new one. I know my teen dd will enjoy this updated version.

That’s exactly why I’ll avoid it like the plague.

I'll watch it but I won't hold my breath. I'm not tremendously keen on the recent fashion for modernising the classics - it seems jarring somehow, like making a cat quack. Some adaptations do manage it better than others, I have to admit.

I like the BBC version too, as you can see...

Oh no! I’ve still not forgiven Keira knightly for pride and prejudice.

It looks arch and glib, all about the comedy and non of the heartbreak. I will watch it though

It looks terrible from that trailer! The casting seems wrong. Anne is too feisty and Wentworth isn't nearly attractive enough.

Obviously I'll watch it anyway!

Oh I'm so disappointed why do they have to do this to classics....😪

They seem to have Bridgertoned it, not just in the choice to use a multi-racial cast, but also in the more glossy, modern look. I love the Amanda Root version but this does look quite appealing. Dakota Johnson is distractingly pretty though.

This looks awful. Dakota Johnson seems to be playing her as a sort of Elizabeth Bennett. Smug and knowing and not at all like Anne Elliott.

Also urgh at the use of 'exes' in a production of a Jane Austen novel. Why do they do this? If they aren't going to be faithful to the source material and time period, they should just do something original like Bridgerton instead.

Having said that, I'll probably hate watch it anyway.

I love that so many of us are 'looks terrible, will definitely watch it'.

This looks awful. Dakota Johnson seems to be playing her as a sort of Elizabeth Bennett. Smug and knowing and not at all like Anne Elliott.

Yessss. This style might work for Lizzy Bennet, or Emma Woodhouse but definitely not for Anne.

I watched the trailer earlier today. My first thought was surprise when Anne looked to the camera - immediately thought of Fleabag too!

I'll watch it anyway. It looks like an easy watch for a wet Sunday.

("Exes" did make me shudder though!)

Can't work out it it's safely within "so bad it's good" territory. Though I did enjoy those dreadful portraits on the wall of Richard E Grant in the opening bit of the trailer.

My favourite Austen novel too and I can't even bring myself to watch the trailer.

I am a total purist and cannot allow my mind to be exposed to any such "adaptation". Feel the same about Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. They shall never besmirch my television 😁

Whoah that’s nuts. Very bridgetoned. I might watch it if I can mentally place it more in the “clueless” type adaptation category! The tone is soooo very wrong for Persuasion. But really they’ve all been adapted so many times I don’t really mind if people mess around with them - the books are always there for you.

The 1995 S and S was on tv last night. That’s such a high standard to meet. Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Imogen Stubbs, Imelda Staunton, Hugh Laurie…

That is not Persuasion! It is some weird rom-com in bonnets and empire line dresses.

Honestly, if they are looking for new regency material then they should just start making the Georgette Heyer novels.

Surprised they haven't. Especially after the success of Bridgerton.

Yes, to me it looks to be closer in tone to Clueless or Bridgerton. At least those two were firmly tongue in cheek, very up front about the style of the adaptation / drama. And Bridgerton is a modern book series in any case, so I just thought of it as a bit of fluff TBH.

This is my absolute favourite Austen book and there is no other Wentworth but Rupert. I don't think I dare watch this!

Do you suppose the screenwriter actually read the novel, far less noticed that Anne is supposed to be quiet, steadfast, retiring, not to mention past her prime (at 27!)? More of a more elegant Charlotte Lucas who muffed her earlier chance than a Lizzy Bennet. Or the kind of cute, ditzy klutz she looks like here.

Though Richard E Grant might be excellent casting as Sir Walter…?