Jane Austen · 1811

Sense and Sensibility characters

Who’s who, from Marianne Dashwood to Edward Ferrars

Two sisters, one all sense and one all sensibility, learn to love again after losing their home.

Sense and Sensibility

The characters

A Dance at Barton Park

Marianne Dashwood

“The more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love.”

Their match: Colonel Brandon

Sit as Marianne Dashwood Free to sit

The Rescue on the Hill

Mr Willoughby

“A young man of good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners.”

Hoping for: Marianne Dashwood

Sit as Mr Willoughby With any portrait pack

For two

The couples

Sit for one portrait each and hang them side by side.

  • Marianne Dashwood & Colonel Brandon

    Sense and Sensibility

  • Elinor Dashwood & Edward Ferrars

    Sense and Sensibility

On screen

The Sense and Sensibility cast, on screen

Who played whom in the two best-loved adaptations: Ang Lee’s 1995 film and the 2008 BBC series.

Character 1995 film 2008 BBC series
Elinor Dashwood Emma Thompson Hattie Morahan
Marianne Dashwood Kate Winslet Charity Wakefield
Colonel Brandon Alan Rickman David Morrissey
Mr Willoughby Greg Wise Dominic Cooper
Edward Ferrars Hugh Grant Dan Stevens

Ang Lee’s 1995 film was written by Emma Thompson, who also played Elinor and won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay; the film had seven Oscar nominations in all.

The 2008 BBC series was written by Andrew Davies, who adapted Pride and Prejudice in 1995, and shown on BBC One in three parts.

Four questions

Which Sense and Sensibility character are you?

Four questions from the novels. Find your match among the characters of Sense and Sensibility, then sit for their portrait.

  • The same quiz as in the app
  • Every result has its portrait waiting
  • Share it and dare a friend to find their match

Question 1 of 4

At a ball, you…

  • Dance every single dance
  • Stand apart and judge the company
  • Make sure the grandest person there knows you
  • Look after whoever has been left out
  • Hope one particular person notices you

Sense and Sensibility questions

Questions about the Sense and Sensibility characters

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Who was in the cast of Sense and Sensibility?

In Ang Lee’s 1995 film: Emma Thompson (Elinor), Kate Winslet (Marianne), Alan Rickman (Colonel Brandon), Greg Wise (Willoughby) and Hugh Grant (Edward Ferrars). In the 2008 BBC series: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, David Morrissey, Dominic Cooper and Dan Stevens.

A Regency lady at a candlelit ball

The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex.

Your Regency portrait as any character on this page, from one photo of you. Your first three portraits are free.

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