Persuasion cast guide: Who plays who in this Jane Austen adaptation?

Based on Jane Austen’s beloved novel of the same name, Persuasion is a highly-anticipated Netflix period drama arriving to the streaming service this Friday, July 15. Dakota Johnson leads the Persuasion cast in the leading role of Anne Elliot. She’s joined by an incredibly talented ensemble of actors.

If you’re a fan of period dramas or Jane Austen, then you’ll definitely want to watch the film when it releases this weekend. Those who are interested might also be inclined to learn more about who plays who in the film, as there are several notable actors and a few that might be lesser-known starring in Persuasion.

The following cast guide will introduce you to the main players in the film, in addition to providing some background information on

Persuasion cast guide

Persuasion cast: Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot

Dakota Johnson is an accomplished American actress, model and producer. She co-founded her own production company called TeaTime Pictures and she’s the daughter of actors Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.

Born on October 4, 1989, (Libra) Johnson is a brunette with blue eyes who stands at 5’7.” She is a long-term relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. She plays the female lead, Anne Elliot in Persuasion.

Where have you seen her before? Johnson had her breakout role in movies like The Social Network and 21 Jump Street. She later appeared in films like The Five-Year Engagement and then received international recognition as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades trilogy.

Since then, Johnson has appeared in many critically acclaimed films like Suspiria, Bad Times at the El Royale, The Peanut Butter Falcon and the Academy Award-nominated Netflix film The Lost Daughter. Most recently, she starred in the Apple TV+ movie Cha Cha Real Smooth.

What’s next? The 30-year-old actress has several exciting projects lined up for the future, including playing Madame Web in the Sony superhero film where she will be joined by Sydney Sweeney and Emma Roberts. Johnson will also star in the mockumentary series Rodeo Queens and the film Daddio alongside Sean Penn.

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Persuasion cast: Cosmo Jarvis as Captain Wentworth

Actor Cosmo Jarvis is a British actor and musician who started his acting career with projects like Lady Macbeth, where he played Sebastian opposite Florence Pugh. He will play Captain Wentworth in Persuasion, Anne’s former lover who returns to try and win her back. Born on September 1, 1989 (Virgo), Jarvis has brown eyes, short black hair and he stands at 5’10.”

Where have you seen him before? Jarvis is probably best known for playing the older Campion Sturges in the HBO Max series Raised By Wolves or for playing Barney in Peaky Blinders. He also starred in the 2020 drama film Funny Face.

What’s next? Jarvis will star in the FX series Shōgun, a period drama based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. He also stars in It Is in Us All, an upcoming Irish thriller film releasing this fall.

Persuasion cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird as Lady Russell

Nikki Amuka-Bird is a talented, BAFTA-nominated 46-year-old Nigerian-born British actress who has starred in productions on stage, film and television.

Born on February 27, 1976 (Pisces) in Delta, Nigeria, Amuka-Bird is a striking 5’7″ performer with brown eyes and dark hair. Amuka-Bird plays Lady Russell. In the novel, Lady Russell is Anne’s godmother and the widow of Sir Henry Russell.

Where have you seen her before? You might recognize her from Jupiter Ascending where she played Diomika Tsing or from M. Night Shyamalan’s 2021 horror film Old, where she played Patricia.

Amuka-Bird has also starred in countless other projects including The Omen (2006), Avenue 5, Netflix film The Laundromat, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Quarry and Hard Sun. She also portrayed DCI Erin Gray in Luther. Her BAFTA-nominated role was from starring in the BBC Two production of Zadie Smith’s novel NW.

What’s next? She’ll next star in the survival thriller Jericho Ridge and she will also star in Shyamalan’s next movie, Knock at the Cabin, which will also star Rupert Grint, Dave Bautista and Jonathan Groff.

Persuasion cast: Richard E. Grant as Sir Walter Elliot

Born on May 5, 1957 (Taurus) in Mbabane, Swaziland, Richard E. Grant is a Swazi-English actor who has been acting since the late 1980s. In recent years, he received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2018 film Can You Ever Forgive Me? co-starring Melissa McCarthy. Grant stands at 6’2″ and has two children. He plays Anne’s father, a widower named Sir Walter Elliot in Persuasion.

Where have you seen him before? Grant has starred in numerous films over the years such as The Iron Lady, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Age of Innocence, Gosford Park, Corpse Bride, Logan, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

He has also appeared in several television series, playing characters like Dr. Simeon in Doctor Who, Classic Loki in Loki, The Man with a Beard but No Hair in A Series of Unfortunate Events, Simon Bricker in Downton Abbey and Izembaro in Game of Thrones.

What’s next? He’ll next lend his voice to the film Gossamer based on Lois Lowry’s novel of the same name and the thriller film The Tutor. Grant is also set to star in historical action film The Guinea Pig Club alongside Jeremy Irvine and Sam Neill.

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Persuasion cast: Henry Golding as Mr. William Elliot

The dashing Mr. William Elliot will be played by the handsome and charismatic actor Henry Golding, best known for his break-out role in the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians.

Golding is a Malaysian-British actor who was born on February 5,1987 (Aquarius) in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia. He stands at 6’1″ and has dark brown eyes and dark hair. The 35-year-old is also a model and television host, having been a presenter on the BBC’s The Travel Show for many years.

Where have you seen him before? Golding has starred in several notable films in recent years such as A Simple Favor, Snake Eyes and The Gentlemen.

What’s next? He’ll next voice Mr. Hu in The Tiger’s Apprentice and star in Downtown Owl, the feature directorial debut of Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater. Additionally, Golding will star in the espionage thriller film Assassin Club and he recently joined the cast of the Netflix sequel film The Old Guard 2.

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Persuasion cast: Mia McKenna-Bruce as Mary Elliot

Mia McKenna-Bruce is a 25-year-old actress who was born on July 3, 1997 in Bexley, United Kingdom. The young actress will play Anne’s sister Mary Elliot in the movie. She stands at 5’0″ and has hazel eyes and light brown hair.

Where have you seen her before? You might recognize McKenna-Bruce from Tracy Beaker Returns or The Dumping Ground franchise. She also played Bree Deringer in the iPlayer series Get Even. She played the young girl Marilka in Netflix’s The Witcher series and previously appeared in the 2014 horror film The Fourth Kind.

What’s next? She’ll next appear in the UK drama film Kindling and she will star in the upcoming Vampire Academy series as Mia Karp. The books are based on the popular series by Richelle Mead and the series will stream on Peacock.

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