When we finished watching Netflix's adaption of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, starring Lily James, it's safe to say we were waiting impatiently for another beloved classic to receive a reboot from the streaming network.
As if answering our prayers, Netflix is about to drop another literary adaptation: Persuasion - a novel written by heralded author Jane Austen who brought us the likes of Emma, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.
The upcoming filming tells the story of Anne Elliot, a woman who challenges societal norms and opts to reside with her snobby family on the verge of bankruptcy. On one occasion, she is persuaded to reject her love interest and is forced to grapple with her complicated feelings for old and new romantic interests.
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Persuasion features a stellar cast, too, with The Lost Daughter's Dakota Johnson as its protagonist.
Here's everything you need to know about Netflix's upcoming adaption of Persuasion:
What's the Persuasion plot?
The film tells the story of a 27-year-old unmarried woman named Anne (Johnson) who lives with her snobby near-bankrupt family and reunites with her former fiancé, Captain Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis), who she was once persuaded to reject.
Anne is a nonconforming woman with modern tendencies, who faces a second chance at love. Upon Wentworth coming back into her life, she must decide between moving on from the past or following her heart's desire.
Who stars in Persuasion?
Former ELLE UK cover star Dakota Johnson stars as protagonist Anne Elliot.
She was spotted filming the movie at the Royal Crescent in Bath last June, where Austen resided for a number of years.
Newly released Netflix images show her peering outside of a window looking delighted while dressed in period costume. There's also a shot of Henry Golding and Jarvis, who star in the film.
Killing Eve's Edward Bluemel stars alongside The Inbetweeners' Lydia Rose Bewley and Marcella's Yolanda Kettle, too.
Joining them are Richard E. Grant from Can You Ever Forgive Me?, NW's Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ben Bailey Smith from BBC divorce drama The Split, Izuka Hoyle, who starred in The Outpost, Mia McKenna-Bruce from Get Even and The Hollow's Nia Towle.
Carrie Cracknell, who directed short film Nora and A Doll's House, as well as live theatre adaptions such as Medea, makes her feature directorial debut with this new film. She also directed Jake Gyllenhaal in Broadway's production of Sea Wall/ A Life.
The film, written by Ron Bass and Alice Victoria Winslow, is produced by Andrew Lazar and Christina Weiss Lurie. Not to mention, EP Elizabeth Cantillon, via her untitled MRC film romance label, and EPs Michael Constable and David Fliegel make up the production team.
The film was developed in collaboration with Netflix and MRC Film, the studio that supported Knives Out and The Lovebirds.
When will Persuasion be released?
Netflix has revealed the film will be released on July 15.
Is there a trailer for Persuasion?
Yes, Netflix released the first trailer for the film on June 14, 2022 and you can watch it at the top of this article.
It suggests the film will follow the story of the original novel by Jane Austen, but with an edgier and more comical take.
There are myriad rom-com moments between Anne and Frederick and an emphasis on the expansive romance of the story, with narration from Johnson about Anne’s dilemma.
In the trailer, Johnson narrates: 'Don’t let anyone tell you how to live or who to love.'
What happened in the Persuasion novel by Jane Austen?
The novel was Austen's last completed novel before she died in 1817. It was published alongside Northanger Abbey six months after her death.
The plot resonates with the film, though Variety reported that the Netflix adaption will be a 'modern, witty approach' to the classic tale.
We've also learned that Johnson isn't the only one reviving the role of Anne Elliot as Searchlight Pictures and BBC Films have joined forces on another venture, which sees Succession's Sarah Snook in the role.
