Who is Sally Hawkins? And Why Was She Picked to Play Anne Elliot?

As any eager Janeite knows, Persuasion will air January 13th at 9 p.m. EST on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre. The 2007 ITV version of Jane Austen's splendid last book features Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as dashing Captain Wentworth. (Read a breathtaking and detailed feature about the movie in this PDF document of Regency World Magazine.)

American audiences may well ask: 'Who is Sally Hawkins?' In this interview in the Manchester Evening News last spring, the 31-year-old actress realizes she will be the envy of other women for acting opposite handsome Rupert. According to this article, her acting background is extensive:

Sally has an impressive CV of film, TV and theatre credits. It include roles in hit British films Vera Drake and Layer Cake, as well as a part in the forthcoming Woody Allen movie Cassandra's Dream.

Her television work includes Tipping The Velvet, The Young Visiters, Fingersmith and the role of Manchester department store personal shopper Nathalie in BBC2's Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole In My Heart. She's also appeared in three episodes of Little Britain.

Watching her performances in these other projects on YouTube, one cannot help but admire her range and scope of work. It is easy to understand why she was picked for the part of the stoic and kind, but resigned Anne.

While Sally looked and behaved perfectly as a Regency Miss, except for that mad dash through Bath's Royal Crescent, she can look quite modern, as this photo attests. (Sally with Collin Farrel on a Woody Allen movie set.) From the film projects she has lined up in the near future, Sally's fans can look forward to seeing her soon again.

Read more on Sally's other projects and interviews in these links:

• Shiny Shiny Bright New Hole in My Heart, BBC
  

• Spirited Sally
  

• Interview With Radio Times
  

• A review of the movie and Sally's performance in Persuasion.

• Sally Hawkins Fansite