The historical advisor and creative director of Hallmark’s Sense and Sensibility discuss preserving the essence of Jane Austen.
Deborah Ayorinde stars as Elinor Dashwood and Bethany Antonia stars as her sister Marianne.
Akil Largie plays Colonel Brandon and Dan Jeannotte plays Edward Ferrars.
She has spent the past decade researching the era forher Regency-set historical fiction, romance, and mystery novels.
This movie is her first time serving as a historical advisor for a film or television period drama.
The process of adaptingSense and Sensibilitybegan over two years ago.
The creative team ofSense and Sensibilitychose to preserve the backbone of the novel.
Were going to double-check that Marianne feels like Marianne, that Eleanor feels like Eleanor,' Smith said.
The question everybody will get is, How does this world exist?
Were showing you in the artwork, were showing you in the tablescapes how this world exists.
England called it fruited cake, but its [Caribbean] black cake.
Its the same thing.
We let the paintings and sets speak for us, Riley said.
We dont need to invent anything to explain our presence when the history is already there, Riley said.
Austen fans are immediately going to notice how the costumes shape the characters and setting of the era.
The characters wear bonnets, mob caps, and other headpieces more consistently than in previous modern adaptations.
This stemmed from Rileys advice and research as well.
We found portraits of people with braided chignons.
Saun made 68 custom outfits for the principal actors on a tight deadline.
The color palette even extended to the clothes the Dashwood women wore at home.
The budget was smaller than the recent film adaptations which influenced the decision to not use U.K.-based filming locations.
Secondly, Hallmark is well known for its comforting and escapist dramas.
Productions tend to avoid depicting excessive violence or dead bodies.
This policy also resulted in a duel scene being cut from the U.S. version of the movie.
Will there be more predominantly-Black cast adaptations of other Austen novels or even other historical romances by Black authors?
Sense and Sensibility premieres Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.
ET on Hallmark Channel.
It will also be available to stream on Hallmark Movies Now.
