Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people’s affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightley.
Acting
Beckinsale's Emma: infuriating, endearing, perfect.
Writing
Austen's dialogue sharpened to a needle point.
Costume
Empire waistlines that mean business.
Director
Diarmuid Lawrence
Kate Beckinsale
Emma Woodhouse
Mark Strong
Mr. Knightley
Samantha Morton
Harriet Smith
Olivia Williams
Jane Fairfax
Bernard Hepton
Mr. Woodhouse
Samantha Bond
Mrs. Weston
James Hazeldine
Mr. Weston
Dominic Rowan
Mr. Elton
Prunella Scales
Miss Bates
Sylvia Barter
Mrs. Bates
Dido Miles
Isabella Knightley
Lucy Robinson
Mrs. Elton
Guy Henry
John Knightley
Alistair Petrie
Robert Martin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This TV movie aired on ITV just months before the Gwyneth Paltrow theatrical version, sparking a bizarre 1996 'Emma-off.'
Mark Strong plays Knightley as barely-contained exasperation — a deliberate contrast to Jeremy Northam's warmer 1996 film interpretation.
GB
