Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, and Michael Gambon in Cast of Emma 2009
April 4, 2009
The Telegraph has an article with some of the cast members of the upcoming BBC miniseries of Emma, with a script by Sandy Welch. Romola Garai will play the lead, and is an excellent choice in our opinion; we’ve liked her for some time and wanted to see her in an Austen adaptation, and we think she’ll make a fine Emma.
The article also says that Jonny Lee Miller will play Mr. Knightley and the always wonderful Sir Michael Gambon will play Mr. Woodhouse. Filming starts next week in Kent and Surrey (wow! actual locations named in the novel! what a concept!)
Thanks to all the Alert Janeites who sent in the link: Laurel Ann, Cinthia, Maria L., and Sylvia M.
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I love the selections of Romola Garai and Michael Gambon but I am underwhelmed with the choice of Johnny Lee Miller. He is a good actor but I think that I am biased against him for is involvement in that horrible Mansfield Park. He had his chance to be an Austen hero already. Or maybe it’s just sour grapes because I still wanted it to be Richard Armitage!
Mags
wonderful news, indeed! I will tell it at my Jane.
I have thought about Carey Mulligan, but she was Isabella in Northanger Abbey. Romola Garay is lovely too! I admired Richard Armitage but he is my Mr. Thornton… Johnny Lee Miller, I don’t know… I would prefer James Purefoy (maybe a bit old?)
Sir Michael Gambon? I love him!
Garai is WAY overused on BBC, and Miller as Mr. Knightly? Blah. Not nearly manly enough!
I like Romola a lot, but I think Carey would have made a better Emma. Very disappointed with their choice for Knightley, I guess Richard really wasn’t available (I’m not sure they even considered him). Happy with Gambon and still very curious about Harriet.
I’m curious about Harriet too, and Frank & Jane. Please, please Auntie Beeb, give us a good Frank and Jane.
Count me among the sorely disappointed with the casting of Mr. Knigthley. We knew Richard was not available, but this choice is terrible. The role required an actor with more manly presence, Miller for my taste is too bland. He is miscast. I agree with Raquel, instead of Edmund Bertram (Miller), Tom (Purefoy) would have been a better choice.
I like Romola as Emma and I’m sure Michael Gambon with be wonderful! I’m not sure about Johnny Lee Miller. As Jessica said, he’s associated with that awful Mansfield Park and it’ll be hard to separate him from that. I’ll be interested to see how the rest of the cast turns out.
Ramola Garai as Emma!? At least that was my first thought. She was great in Daniel Deronda but her acting skills don’t impress me very much and she’s almost 30. I’ll have to watch her in Amazing Grace again…
Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse will be wonderful! I really admire him very much, he’ll add that humor to Mr. Woodhouse but still be a very lovable character.
Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley is very disappointing! I disliked him as Edmund. The only good thing is that he is ten years older than Ms Garai. I really don’t think he’s going to be good as a respectable gentleman farmer. What are they thinking?
I am THRILLED with the choice of Romola as Emma! And Sir Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse should be lovely.
But Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley???? NOOOOO!!!! PLEASE!!! Auntie Beeb, what have you done?!! Please, anyone, anyone else as Mr. Knightley!
I don’t dislike JLM as an actor at all, and I have no problem separating him from MP99, but I am still not thrilled with this casting. He’s a bit too pretty to play Mr. Knightley. Somebody used this comparison in a thread about the casting long ago: as Admiral Croft said of James Benwick, he’s a bit too piano for me. But I hope to be proven wrong!
Very pleased about RG, as I said in the post, and the more I think about Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse the more I like it!
I have nothing against Romola Garai but she is too old to play Emma!!!
If this is true, all of my birthday, Christmas, Easter, and other gift-giving opportunities have come true. I’ve been wanting Garai to be in a Jane Austen film since I saw her in Amazing Grace and she became my absolute favorite actress.
Miller I thought was the best part of MP99, though I’m not sure if he has the presence for Mr. Knightley. And Gambon lifts everything he’s in.
But Garai…I didn’t even consider that she would accept the part – she’s been in so many (I thought) high profile features recently, but I’m thrilled beyond any imagining that she’s been cast. Definitely my dream Emma, if I’d dared to hope.
^I don’t think RG is too old – she’s only 26, and could easily pass as a 21 – 22 year old, IMO.
BTW, my last comment was addressed to Lisa. . .
Romola is too old to play Emma, but only six years too old. Charity Wakefield was 26 playing a sixteen year old; ten years too old. Hattie Morahan was 29 playing a nineteen year old; ten years too old also. Jennifer Ehle was 26 playing a twenty year old. I think it depends on how young they can make them look and act.
I think Romola is a good choice for Emma and Jonny Lee Miller wouldn’t be my first choice for Knightley, but I’m willing to hope for the best. He is the right age and isn’t obviously the hero. If Richard A. would have played Knightley everyone would have said, “Oh, there’s the hero!”, as soon as he showed up on screen. That’s a problem I had with E2. Jeremy Northam was so obvious that we all wonder why no one else in the village is going crazy over him like they do Mr. Elton and Frank Churchill in the book. Jonny Lee Miller is nice looking and will hopefully play a decent, British man.
I quite like the look of Romola as Emma and I’m sure Michael Gambon will make a great Mr Woodhouse.
Like most here I too feel that Miller as Mr Knightley is a great disappointment.
And yes, I can’t separate him from that horrible MP adaptation.
Lets hope he will surprise all of us, by looking more manly, complete with a gruff, abrupt manner.
But till then…….have to remain in a state of absolute disappointment.
I absolutely adore Romola Garai. Some part of me just died in euphoria.
Okay, I’m intrigued. Initially I was unhappy about Johnny Lee Miller as Knightley but I think it puts a twist on the character that JA’s original audience would have assumed and I tend to forget. The Knightleys are a noble family – old, established, admired. John Knightley is an attorney in London. The fact that George spends so much time on drainage and crop rotation and hangs out with his tenant farmer makes him weird. Thus perfect for old Mr. Woodhouse and young Miss Woodhouse. We are so focused on his goodness and sense of honor I think we forget he’s an oddball, which is probably why no lady has tried to snatch him up yet. So to have someone as pretty as Johnny Lee Miller (please give him a wig, sorry) play our Mr. Knightley – they’ll probably dress him down too, and give him sloppy hair. I am starting to like it. Although no fair one guy playing two Austen heroes, WTH BBC?
Don’t forget that Jonny Lee Miller has had 10 years since MP99. Surely, whatever his acting was then, it could only have improved. Surely Sandy Welch’s script will help also, if the good filmsOur Mutual Friend and North and South are anything to go by. The Jane Eyre script and direction were a little off in some parts, though.
My first reaction, I’m afraid, was the same as Tanya’s (#3). Not Romola Garai AGAIN. I’m so BORED of repeat castings in costume dramas.
However, I thought she was wonderful in Daniel Deronda and I can see some of that headstrong charm working in the character of Emma, so I’ll try to keep an open mind about it.
Jonny Lee Miller, though. NOOOO. Not Mr. Knightley. Not because of MP. Just because of exactly what Mags said. He’s such a pretty boy.
I loved Romola in “I Capture the Castle” so I’m looking forward to seeing her in “Emma.”
I like Romola Garai, but for goodness sakes–are there no up and coming young actresses out there who could give us a fresh face in the role?
I really had resigned myself to the fact that Richard Armitage probably wasn’t going to be Knightley, but the prospect of Edmund Bertram in a bad wig is not exactly my idea of a consolation prize.
To be honest, the casting of the two leads has totally diminished my excitement for the project.
These are some of the facts that we do know about Mr. Knightley.
*He’s a sensible man of seven or eight and thirty.
*He has a cheerful manner.
*He never flatters Emma.
*He has a downright, decided, commanding sort of manner. His figure and look, and situation in life seem to allow it.
*He has a tall, firm, upright figure.
PLEASE everyone, give Jonny Lee Miller a chance! Check out some of his recent work, including “Eli Stone” on ABC in America and Sci Fi in the UK. He has matured quite a bit and even though he’s still attractive, I would hardly call him a “pretty boy” anymore. He’s also done a great deal of “manly” roles in the past decade. Don’t pass judgment on him so quickly!
Here are some screencaps from his 2007 film Eli Stone (which I’ve never seen). It’s fairly recent. I think I can see him as Mr. Knightley. I hope he’s letting his hair grow out so they might just have to work in some hair extentions without a wig. RPJ in P3 had too short/modern hair imo, though he did grow out sideburns.
http://www.jonnyleemiller.co.uk/elistone/3/caps.html
I’ve seen Eli Stone and enjoyed it, and thought he was fine in it. But still: not Mr. Knightley.
Yay, Romola Garai! I like her!
Wow – Romola Garai should do a fabulous job as Emma. Excellent, EXCELLENT casting decision.
Happy about Woodhouse’s cast, but totally dissapointed about Mr Knightley. Apart of the Armitage thing, I think that, although Lee Miller is good actor, he can’t wear the boots that he is receiving from Northam and Strong…he is not ‘strong’ enough. Apart from the fact that we won’t have a new actor for our Austen leading actors list…So pity!
My immediate reaction is that JLM is not nearly tall enough to play Mr Knightley…
I’m just sad that Joseph Millson didn’t get the part. He’d have made a great Knightley. I don’t have any particular feeling about Johnny Lee Miller – I’d never even considered him. Will wait and see what he makes of the part.
I’m glad about Romola – I always like her so have high hopes.
Excited about the adaptation, not sure about Garai. I’ll wait and see though!
Michael Gambon can do no wrong in my book, so this is exciting news. I also think Garai is a good choice. I’m not sure about Jonny Lee Miller. Hmmm, I had pictured someone a little more rugged (ahem, Richard Armitage)as Mr. Knightley, but I’m sure he will do a fine job. Since this may be our last “bonnet drama” for awhile, I’m hoping for the best.
Romola Garai is a great choice! Not so sure about Jonny Lee Miller…
what a massive letdown. that must be the most disappointing cast the BBeeeb has ever chosen to present on such an occasion. and so well known already. i’ve always thought, television – instead of cinema – could well afford to bring up talented new faces. which worked pretty often and was part of the charm of BBC – period dramas. oh well. they’ll have to be so overwhelmingly good in all the other departments to let me enjoy it now.
already 5th of april, no longer 1st, is it?
pity…
I’m still excited. JLM is one of two reasons I can even stand to mention MP99 (the other is Embeth Davidtz), and I loved everything about him in Eli Stone. He may not have the classic Knightley gravitas, but he’s a pretty fine comic *and* dramatic actor, and not bad to look at either. I think he’ll be a very refreshing Mr. Knightley.
Plus Michael Gambon rules, and hooray for authentic Surrey scenery.
I very much liked Garai in Daniel Deronda and then Amazing Grace, so think she should be good as Emma.
Gambon is always brilliant.
Will be interested to see what Miller does with Knightley.
What does upset me far more, is the fact that BBC has said this will be their last ‘period’ production for some time, they want to concentrate on modern. What are we going to do? Shiver at the thought of ITV.
I’m in the camp of those who like JLM – he was the best thing in the dreadful MP99, and he is fantastic in Eli Stone. And I like non-obvious casting. When they cast Toby Stephens as Rochester in the last Jane Eyre, I couldn’t see it at all, and I thought he was terrific.
the bbc has published a press information announcing more casting members such as tamsin greig as miss bates (yay) and jodhy may as anna weston. here’s the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/04_april/04/emma.shtml
From the BBC Press Office website:
Jodhi May – Mrs. Weston
Robert Bathurst – Mr. Weston
Tamsin Greig – Miss Bates
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/04_april/04/emma.shtml
Come on! Mr Knightley cannot be JLM! OK, I knew that will be very hard indeed to see RA as Mr Knightley, but NOT JLM! Come on, the dude had his chance as an Austen hero! If wasn’t to be Mr. Thorn… I mean Mr. Armitage I think they sould have casted a guy that ha never been in an Austen adaptation!
i’ve posted that before, but i think it was caught in the spamfilter/has landed on mags desk because i’ve added the address of “my” website/board. nevermind, i’d wanted to share the news anyway: the BBC has published a press note mentioning more cast members. such as tamsin greig as miss bates (yay, first good thing) and jodhi may as anna weston.
here’s the link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/04_april/04/emma.shtml
Comments rescued. The spam filter plays no favorites; it hates everyone equally.
that’s democracy for you isn’t it?
thanks for restoring it anyway.
I have seen Romola Garai in Daniel Deronda and Amazing Grace and IMHO she is a fine actress and this may be her time to shine. I just hope that she can pull of the mischievous side of Emma. And Sir Michael Gambon, what a delight!
Johnny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightly, the jury is still out on that one for me. He can be very charming and comical, but can he make us believe that he “is” Mr. Knightley? Can he be as assertive as he needs to be in order to scold Emma as Mr. Knightley does? Can we picture him saying, “Badly done Emma, very badly done indeed.”? I sincerely hope that he can pull this off, I really like him. And from what I have read here, he has a lot of people to convince.
In the article, Romola Garai says that she has “loved the character for many years”, so I hope that means she has read the book and plans to stay true to JA’s Emma, but does anyone know if JLM has read the book? Let us all hope so!
I have mixed feelings on this casting.
First, no problem whatsoever with Michael Gambon. He’ll be marvelous!
I like Romola very much, and although her true age is not a problem considering other young actresses play six or more years younger than they really are, they (the other young actresses), LOOK much younger than their real age. I’m sorry, but in Romola’s case, maybe because she always plays sophisticated so very well, I consider her OLDER than her real age. I had to look up on IMDB when she was born because I was astounded they could cast someone so much older than Emma in this role. I was flabbergasted to see her real age. I thought she was around 29 or 30. She is a very beautiful woman, however, and if they can make her look younger than her real age, I’ll have no problem with her casting.
JLM. Hmmmm. I really like Jonny on his tv series, Eli Stone. But Mr. Knightley, no way. There are a dozen or so actors who could play Mr. K better than JLM if RA isn’t available (or if they didn’t want him). I really think this pivotal role will bring this production down several notches just because it will be hard to see Emma falling for a less than dominatingly masculine Mr. K.
But I’ll watch it anyway! I’m a JA addicat afterall.
Very intersted to see the rest of the casting. I hope we finally have a decent Frank Churchill. (Has there been a good one yet?)
There was a fantastic Frank Churchill in Doon MacKichan’s (sp?) Emma that was at Edinborough and the Triangle in London (where I saw it). They had all talked him up so much the audience literally swooned when he swung into the theatre. Good times. But what was wrong with the one who played opposite Kate Beckinsale? IMO he was perfect.
Love love love love love Jodhi May. Excellent news!
Romola? JLM? Bah! As disappointing as this casting is, I’m more upset about Jodhi May as Miss Taylor/Mrs. Weston. Come on! She looks like she’s about 14 years old – and she’s supposed to have been the governess? I’ve seen her in way too many things lately, this is another sign that the BBB has no creativity in casting.
Mags,
Do we know yet if PBS or any other US network will air this series? I hate to get all excited about it if we are not going to be able to see it over here! That would be a misfortune indeed!
Mags my previous comment was just swallowed up by the spam filter. Please rescue me…
“But what was wrong with the one who played opposite Kate Beckinsale? IMO he was perfect.” (Jen K)
I didn’t mind the way he played the role, I just couldn’t warm up to the way he looked. I guess I always picture Frank C. in a “Wickham” sort of way “physically”. Very handsome and smooth. I guess the actor just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Rae: “I guess the actor just wasn’t my cup of tea.”
Lol, pour me a cup then.
Seriously, I even loved him as Mr. Glascock in He Knew He Was Right.
I like Jodhi May an awful lot, but seriously, she is going to need some heavy duty makeup to look that much older than Romola…
Jessica, you’re rescued. As to your question: officially we don’t know yet; unofficially, I would think so. What else is Masterpiece Classic gonna show next year when the Beeb stops making “bonnet dramas?”
Oh! I like JLM as Mr. Knightley. I was a little bit concerned about his height as well -I can’t remember who pointed it out before me-. MP’s adaptation wasn’t his fault, if I remember well: I watched it, and forgot it before the credits had already started.
I just hope… Please, don’t make Emma a blond, please.
Have I missed Frank and Jane?! Oh, I’ll read it all over again when the flu is over.
Looking forward to this “Emma 2009″
Some insider news from someone who knows someone……..
Frank Churchill will be played by Rupert Evans
Jane Fairfax will be played by Laura Pyper