<P> The formal casting process began in February 1995, though some of the actors met with Thompson the previous year to help her conceptualise the script . Lee eventually cast all but one of them: Hugh Grant (as Edward Ferrars), Robert Hardy (as Sir John Middleton), Harriet Walter (as Fanny Ferrars Dashwood), Imelda Staunton (as Charlotte Jennings Palmer), and Hugh Laurie (as Mr. Palmer). Amanda Root had also worked with Thompson on the screenplay, but had already committed to star in the 1995 film Persuasion . Commenting on the casting of Laurie, whom she had known for years, Thompson has said, "There is no one (else) on the planet who could capture Mr. Palmer's disenchantment and redemption so perfectly, and make it funny ." </P> <P> Thompson wrote the part of Edward Ferrars with Grant in mind, and he agreed to receive a lower salary in line with the film's budget . Grant called her screenplay "genius", explaining "I've always been a philistine about Jane Austen herself, and I think Emma's script is miles better than the book and much more amusing ." Grant's casting was criticised by the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), whose representatives said that he was too handsome for the part . Actress Kate Winslet initially intended to audition for the role of Marianne but Lee disliked her work in the 1994 drama film Heavenly Creatures; she auditioned for the lesser part of Lucy Steele . Winslet pretended she had heard that the audition was still for Marianne, and won the part based on a single reading . Thompson later said that Winslet, only nineteen years old, approached the part "energised and open, realistic, intelligent, and tremendous fun ." The role helped Winslet become recognised as a significant actress . </P> <P> Also appearing in the film was Alan Rickman, who portrayed Colonel Brandon . Thompson was pleased that Rickman could express the "extraordinary sweetness (of) his nature," as he had played "Machiavellian types so effectively" in other films . Greg Wise was cast as Marianne's other romantic interest, John Willoughby, his most noted role thus far . Twelve - year - old Emilie François, appearing as Margaret Dashwood, was one of the last people cast in the production; she had no professional acting experience . Thompson praised the young actress in her production diaries, "Emilie has a natural quick intelligence that informs every movement--she creates spontaneity in all of us just by being there ." Other cast members included Gemma Jones as Mrs. Dashwood, James Fleet as John Dashwood, Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs. Jennings, Imogen Stubbs as Lucy Steele, Richard Lumsden as Robert Ferrars, Tom Wilkinson as Mr. Dashwood, and Lone Vidahl as Miss Grey . </P> <P> According to Austen scholar Linda Troost, the costumes used in Sense and Sensibility helped emphasise the class and status of the various characters, particularly among the Dashwoods . They were created by Jenny Beavan and John Bright, a team of designers best known for Merchant Ivory films who began working together in 1984 . The two attempted to create accurate period dress, and featured the "fuller, classical look and colours of the late 18th century ." They found inspiration in the works of the English artists Thomas Rowlandson, John Hopper, and George Romney, and also reviewed fashion plates stored in the Victoria and Albert Museum . The main costumes and hats were manufactured at Cosprop, a London - based costumer company . </P>

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