Watch Persuasion Tonight

Watch Persuasion on Masterpiece Classic at 9 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. central time. Read my review as a guest blogger on PBS's Remotely Connected, then leave a comment. Tell us what you think! For a description of Persuasion's characters, read the two posts below.

Persuasion's Cast of Characters Continued

Louisa Musgrove: young sister in sprig muslin, aged about 19, engaged and off the marriage mart, Charles & Henrietta Musgrove’s younger sister, educated at school, high-spirited, accomplished, wild about dancing, headstrong, falls easily in love, has high naval fervour, loves to play “catch me”. First attracted to Captain Wentworth, but after a head bang on the stones of a Cobb, acquires literary taste and an appetite for Scott and Lord Byron. She falls in love with Mr. Benwick over poetry, and they become engaged.

Henrietta Musgrove: sister in sprig muslin, aged about 20, engaged and off the marriage mart, younger sister of Charles Musgrove and older sister to Louisa, educated at school, young, fun-loving, loves to dance, less decisive than Louisa. Though unofficially engaged to her clergyman cousin Charles Hayter, her girlish ego is momentarily dazzled by the attentions of dashing Captain Wentworth.

Charles Musgrove: genial brother, 30-something heir to the great house at Uppercross, doting father of two young sons, long-suffering and deaf-eared husband of Mary. Civil, high- spirited, agreeable, patient, wild about sport. Lacks the art of conversation, and trifles time away without benefit of books. Always in want of more money. Could manage his children very well if it weren’t for his wife’s interference. First set his sights on Anne Elliot, who refused him.

Captain Harville, naval officer, friend of Captain Wentworth, married, proud father of three children. Tall, dark, benevolent countenance with strong features. Severely wounded, discharged at half-pay, walks with slight limp. Lives in Lyme. Sensible, unaffected, warm, obliging and useful. When not employed within by his mind, he varnishes, carpenters, and glues, making toys for the children. Converses with Anne Elliot at opportune moments.

Captain James Benwick, first lieutenant of the Laconia, friend of Captain Wentworth, and once engaged to Fanny, Harville’s dead sister. Excellent but moping young man who learned his fiance passed away after he earned his prize money and promotion. Pleasing face, dejected and melancholy air, affectionate heart, romantic reader of poetry. Finds an intellectual connection with Anne, but it is Louisa who consoles his broken heart and who he will marry.

Mrs. Clay: opportunist, poor widow with two children, daughter of Sir Walter's lawyer, Mr. Shepherd, friend of Elizabeth Elliot and engaged to accompany her to Bath. A clever inveigler and flatterer who understands the fine art of sucking up. Her ultimate aim is to make herself so acceptable and indispensable to the vain and self-absorbed Sir Walter, that he will throw all caution to the wind and marry her, despite his aversion to her freckles, snaggle tooth, and clumsy wrist.

Rear Admiral Croft: naval officer, gentleman with handsome fortune, married to Sophia, no children. Native of Somersetshire, tenant of Kellynch Hall, well-traveled, saw action at Trafalgar. A hale, hearty, well-looking and plain-spoken man with excellent manners. He is a little weather-beaten and must stave off gout with exercise. After moving into Kellynch Hall, he ordered the removal of the large number of looking-glasses Sir Walter left behind in his bedroom.

Sophia Croft: wife of Admiral Croft, Captain Wentworth’s older sister. Married for love, not money. Well-spoken, genteel, and shrewd about taxes and business. In the habit of sharing everything with her husband, including walks and travel. No children, and therefore the very best preserver of furniture in the world.

Mrs. Smith nee Hamilton: impoverished widow, cripple, 30 yrs. old, school fellow of Anne Elliot, lives in Bath. Suffers severe rheumatic fever in her legs, beset with financial difficulties, thrives on uncannily accurate gossip obtained through Nurse Rooke. Gets her revenge on false friend William Elliott by spilling the beans about his true nature to Anne. In 2007 movie version of Persuasion, is granted miracle cure by script writers and is seen wandering around Bath.




Last, but not least, Mr. & Mrs. Musgrove: popular parents of Louisa, Henrietta, and Charles, residents of the great house at Uppercross, love to entertain and throw dinner-parties. They attract more visitors by invitation and chance than any other family in the neighbourhood.

Learn more about the characters in Persuasion at these sites:

• Genealogy of characters in Persuasion at the Republic of Pemberley

• A Calendar for Persuasion

• List of actors in the 2007 movie
  

Posted by Ms. Place. Click here for the Major Cast of Characters posted by Laurel Ann.

Rupert Penry-Jones, will you pierce my soul?

I am "half agony, half hope" in anticipation of Rupert Penry-Jones' performance as Captain Wentworth in the Masterpiece Theatre presentation of Jane Austen's classic love story Persuasion, which premieres on Sunday, January 13th at 9:00pm on PBS.

Could Mr. Penry-Jones be the next Jane Austen dashing romantic hero to swoon over? Hmm? Mayhap? I dare say, what big, shiny, black boots to fill Mr. Penry-Jones! That honour was bestowed upon the hunky actor Colin Firth , who as Mr. Darcy dove into the Pemberley pond and into our hearts in the 1995 BBC production of Pride & Prejudice. Time to pass on the breeches and boots to the next generation? We shall see.

The choice of Rupert Penry-Jones as the scorned-in-love, but-back-for more Captain Wentworth was an easy transition from his role as heartthrob MI5 agent Adam Carter in the BBC series Spooks . Each of the characters IS in service to the Crown right? Secret Service Agent or Naval Officer; - - high speed car chases, guns and tight uniforms, or galloping about the countryside on horseback, swords and tight breeches. Not much difference. What does two hundred years matter in the pursuit of true love, or high network ratings. A hunk is a hunk in any generation. Or so the producers hope.

In a big way, I feel the loss for Colin. How can anyone possible replace him? Those brooding dark eyes, that proud elegant manner, that LOOK? Sigh . . . So I am half agony, half hope that the best man wins the day.

Posted by Laurel Ann

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
  

Is there such a thing as too much Jane Austen? Never!

In January 2008, Masterpiece Theatre will showcase “The Complete Jane Austen” on Sunday nights, airing a new version of Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility, and other Austen favorites. To read more about this announcement, click on this link, which also links to the Jane Austen quiz on this site or go to Austenblog.