Jane Austen Adaptation Actors in the News

Colin Firth (Mr Darcy 1995) as George VI and Helena Bonham-Carter as Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in The King's Speech, Colin's latest movie which he is currently filming. No images of Jennifer Ehle yet, but we'll post them as soon as they are available.

Why is Carey Mulligan (Kitty Bennet, 2005) the new "It" girl British import in Hollywood? This Daily Mail article spells it out: She's fresh and she's hot,' said Peter Rice, the head of Fox Searchlight. a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opined,'There's a certain type of British actress we embrace - like Kate Winslet, Emily Blunt or Keira Knightley. Carey's the new girl and people are falling in love with her.'

Gemma Arterton (Elizabeth Bennet, Lost in Austen) makes her London theatre debut in The Little Dog Laughed, a satire on the hypocrisy of Hollywood. Gemma should know something about the topic, having appeared as a Bond girl in Quantum Of Solace. She will also be seen in Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia, both coming out this year.
Last but not least. What does the incomparable Anna Massey have in common with Helen Jerome's classic play interpretation of Pride and Prejudice, Celia Johnson, and Raymond Massey?

Find out in this article from Jane Austen's World.

Anna, who played Mrs. Norris in 1983's Mansfield Park, revealed a wit as acerbic as Jane Austen's in her autobiography,Telling Some Tales. She describes one New York Theatre gathering with this delicious observation: "The room was full of egos, many of whom wrote their own notices as they shook your hand."

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Leading Men of Tess of the d'Urbervilles

There is quite a bit of eye candy in the new Masterpiece Classic production of Tess of the d'Urbervilles that premiered last Sunday on PBS. Part one featured two up and comming British actors in polar opposite roles emotionally. On one side we have the dark and seductive n'er do well Alec d'Urberville played by Hans Matheson, and on the other Angel Clare played by Eddie Redmayne who typifies his name, all angelic kindness and consideration. The two heros, or are they anti-heros, could not be farther apart in personality or intensions to our beautiful heroine Tess played sympathetically by Gemma Arterton. You can discover more about sultry dark eyed Scotsman Hans Matheson on his web site, and blue eyed boy next door Eddie Redmayne at his own web site too. Watch the finale of Tess of the d'Urbervilles next Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 EST on PBS.


You can catch up on part one at the Masterpiece website, and read reviews by Vic (Ms. Place) at Jane Austen's World & myself at Austenprose.

Don't forget to bring your hankies. You'll need them!

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose