The six best screen adaptations of Jane Austen's novels

'JANE AUSTEN Wrecked My Life', claims the title of a recent French film comedy written and directed by Laura Piani. Unlikely. Adaptations of the author's wise and witty novels have long entertained film and TV audiences. This year—the 250th anniversary of Austen's birt h —offers an occasion to revisit the best. Joe Wright's 'Pride & Prejudice' is back in cinemas in America and Britain; starting on May 4th PBS Masterpiece in America will air the BBC's biographical drama 'Miss Austen'. Skip the duds, such as the facetious horror spoof 'Pride + Prejudice + Zombies' and Netflix's lifeless 'Persuasion'. Instead consider these half-dozen titles that make, if not a perfect match for her elegant prose, then at least a marriage of true minds.

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Daily Mirror

26 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

The Traitors' Leanne Quigley admits she can't marry fiancée yet for sad reason

EXCLUSIVE: Traitors star Leanne Quigley would tie the knot with fiancée Sophie right now, but after her partner's heartbreaking cancer battle, she wants to walk down the aisle with her own hair grown back The Traitors winner Leanne Quigley has revealed she would marry fiancée Sophie Jones "today" if she could - but they will wait until Sophie's hair totally grows back, following her gruelling cancer battle. Leanne, 28, a former soldier from Holywell, North Wales, who appeared as a Faithful in the third season of the show, says, 'I would get married today if I could. But Soph has been going through her hair growth journey. As soon as she feels comfortable and ready, then we will get married. Ideally, it will be the end of next year or maybe the start of 2027.' ‌ Speaking exclusively to the Mirror at the British LGBT Awards 2025 at The Brewery, London, Leanne adds: "Sophie's doing great. This is the first thing she has been able to come to with me without having to wear a wig. It feels very special.' ‌ Of their plans to tie the knot following their 2021 engagement, she says: 'I would have to be close to home. We took the twins abroad on holiday and it's not the most stress-free of experiences - so it will be as close to home as possible!' Sophie, also a former army recruit, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer last year, just weeks after Leanne finished filming on the BBC show, after finding a lump in her breast. Thankfully, after a journey which Leanne previously told the Mirror was 'utterly terrifying' as initially they 'didn't know if she'd live' - Sophie was given the all-clear, earlier this year. Leanne is happy and looking to the future, but admits, it's been 'the worst time of their lives'. 'We went from a huge high to the lowest blow. She was going through treatment then The Traitors came out, so it was quite turbulent. But we are very lucky.' Now the TV star, who shares twin sons, Harley and Hudson, 2, with her partner, who gave birth to their boys, would also like to start IVF soon and expand their family ‌ 'We'll probably try next year. There's no guarantee it will work, so I think the sooner the better. But I would like the kids all to be close in age, I would definitely want to drink at the wedding though, so I think we'd have to wait.' Leanne has also toyed lately with the idea of rejoining the army part-time, which she misses a lot, but says taking on risks in dangerous warzones would be a different ballgame, now she's a mother. ‌ She says, 'I was chatting to my mum the other day and I asked her if I should join the Reserves again, which is basically going back part time. It is a big thing, leaving. I was there for 12 years - we were like a big family. 'It is different now, though. Before, I was fearless. I wasn't scared of anything. Now I am a mother, I am scared of everything. Everything I do, I think about them.' The turbulent and fast-changing situation in the Middle East makes it an even more terrifying prospect, admitted the bubbly blonde. 'I'm not going to lie, it is pretty scary. That's why there's an element of me wanting to join back up so I know what's going on and can help in some way. But now I am a mum. I am scared of everything and just want to protect them. She adds, 'In one way I want to go back more because I'm worried the shit is going to hit the fan and I want to do what I can. And in another way, it makes me want to go back less because I need to be here for my family.'

ITV News

36 minutes ago

• ITV News

Kneecap Glastonbury slot ‘not appropriate', says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not think Kneecap's planned Glastonbury Festival performance is 'appropriate'. He made the comments after Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh appeared in court on Wednesday, after being charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a gig in November last year. In an interview with The Sun, Sir Keir was asked if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, to which he replied: 'No, I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this. 'This is about the threats that shouldn't be made, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' It comes after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC 'should not be showing' Kneecap's performance at the festival next week. Mrs Badenoch said in the X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times that claimed the BBC had not banned the group: 'The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. 'One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. 'As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.' The Tory Leader of the Opposition has previously called for the group to be banned from Glastonbury, and last year Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK Government in Belfast High Court after she tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award when she was a minister. Kneecap took aim at Mrs Badenoch in their latest single, The Recap, released just before their headline set at London's Wide Awake festival in May, with the song mocking the politician's attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party's election loss. On Wednesday, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. During the proceedings, a prosecutor told the court the 27-year-old is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, is a 'wholly different thing'. O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. Following the hearing, the rapper said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September. 'But most importantly: free, free Palestine.' The charge came following a counter-terrorism police investigation after the historical gig footage came to light, which also allegedly shows the group calling for the deaths of MPs. In April, Kneecap apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. In an initial post in response to the charge, Kneecap said: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction. 'We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? 'To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' Formed in 2017, the group are known for their provocative lyrics in both Irish and English and their merchandise. Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag. A BBC spokesperson said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.

Edinburgh Reporter

2 hours ago

• Edinburgh Reporter

Edinburgh Deaf Festival has a vibrant new line up for this year

The Edinburgh Deaf Festival is back for 2025, with a vibrant programme of shows and events embracing everything from new drama to comedy, music and magic. After a long, tough but ultimately successful campaign, this unique annual celebration of deaf culture, is laying the foundations for future expansion after securing three-year funding from Creative Scotland. Last night saw the launch of a programme featuring more than 70 scheduled events and activities from 8-17 August. Among those taking part in the fourth annual festival are comedians John Smith and Gavin Lilley and Gaelic and Scots singer and musician Evie Waddell, who are all well-known to hearing audiences. There will be a specially commissioned production written and directed by Nadia Nadarajah, who recently earned huge acclaim as Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe. Nadia, who is also the festival's Creative Programmer, said: 'This year, we've got a lot that's new, so we can deliver even more of what we know the deaf community wants. 'And we are doing much more to engage with hearing audiences, to give them the opportunity to discover something new by experiencing deaf culture and the work of enormously talented deaf performers. 'Last year was very difficult because of funding challenges and the future looked very uncertain. We had a real struggle but we were persistent, and didn't want to give up. 'So, I am really excited, because finally we've got the three-year funding from Creative Scotland, which is amazing and gives us the stability to grow in coming years.' As part of the drive to expand the festival's reach among hearing audiences Evie will perform at Summerhall as well as the Deaf Action HQ and venue in Albany Street. Among the highlights in this year's programme are: Echoes Across Time: Three women, three timelines. In 2000 and 2012 deaf women vanished without explanation. In 2025 small traces of their lives begin to reappear. A specially commissioned new production by Nadia Nadarajah. Performed in BSL with English voiceover for hearing audiences. Three women, three timelines. In 2000 and 2012 deaf women vanished without explanation. In 2025 small traces of their lives begin to reappear. A specially commissioned new production by Nadia Nadarajah. Performed in BSL with English voiceover for hearing audiences. John Smith Show's 20 Years of Laughter: Celebrate two decades of sharp wit and non-stop laughter with one of the UK's best-known deaf comedians. Celebrate two decades of sharp wit and non-stop laughter with one of the UK's best-known deaf comedians. Deaffy Drag Queeny: Glitter, Gags and GSV: Deaffy drag queens Mary and Danielle bring cheeky charm, outrageous wit and deaf gay Pride to the stage. Deaffy drag queens Mary and Danielle bring cheeky charm, outrageous wit and deaf gay Pride to the stage. Ivory Cutlery by Evie Wadell: Let your imagination run wild with Evie Waddell as she presents a visual and musical storytelling experience inspired by the magnificently eccentric Scottish poet and singer Ivor Cutler. Let your imagination run wild with Evie Waddell as she presents a visual and musical storytelling experience inspired by the magnificently eccentric Scottish poet and singer Ivor Cutler. Gavin Lilley: Signs of the Times: A hugely popular deaf comedian who bridges the gap with hearing audiences with his fresh take on everything from parenthood to travel misadventures. A hugely popular deaf comedian who bridges the gap with hearing audiences with his fresh take on everything from parenthood to travel misadventures. Magic Morgan and Liliana: A family-friendly show packed with illusions, comedy and mime. A family-friendly show packed with illusions, comedy and mime. Scratch Night: An evening of bold new ideas from comedy to experimental acts – raw creativity which may be the next big thing. Deaf Action Organised by Deaf Action (the world's oldest deaf charity and deaf-led organisation which dates back 190 years to 1835) the festival continues the pioneering work that made Edinburgh a world-leader in championing the interests of deaf people. Philip Gerrard, CEO of organisers Deaf Action, said: 'We have been at the heart of efforts to promote the interests of the deaf community for 190 years, and the Edinburgh Deaf Festival continues that pioneering work. 'We fought hard to keep it alive, and now it is back and stronger than ever. 'The deaf community has a lively, vibrant and distinctive culture – along with a multitude of highly talented performers and other creatives. 'This 10-day festival is a unique chance for deaf people to come together to enjoy and celebrate that culture and to provide a platform for deaf performers to reach hearing audiences and have more of a presence in the performing arts mainstream.' Other festival events include a networking session with Scottish-based theatre company Solar Bear, allowing deaf and hearing creatives to connect, a pub quiz, karaoke, discussions, parties and film screenings. There will be comedy and drama workshops, guided tours of The Georgian House, the Royal Botanic Garden and National Galleries Scotland. A festival Youth Club for deaf young people aged 10-18 will run from 8-10 August and there will be a parent and toddler group. The festival, which runs in collaboration with the Fringe, is also working with Summerhall, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a range of accessible events. An interpreter and captioning request service will allow deaf people to arrange an interpreter or captioner for Fringe shows that are not accessible. Deaf Action is working with local businesses to create The Edinburgh Signing Quarter, a network of deaf-friendly cafés and bars in the Broughton Street and Canonmills area. Like this: Like Related