Emma Thompson Shares Alan Rickman’s Joy in Playing a Heroic Character in Sense and Sensibility
Alan Rickman (left) and Emma Thompson (right) in ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
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Moviestore/Shutterstock; Clive Coote/Columbia Pictures
Emma Thompson Reflects on Alan Rickman in ‘Sense and Sensibility’
In a recent discussion about the classic 1995 film Sense and Sensibility, Emma Thompson revealed how her co-star Alan Rickman was eager to portray a heroic character, moving away from his previous roles as villains.
Thompson, now 66, shared her insights in a video interview for GQ, where she commemorated the film’s 30th anniversary. The adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel sees Thompson playing the role of Elinor Dashwood, a composed young woman seeking to support her family following their father’s death. Alongside her, Hugh Grant portrays Edward Ferrars, while Kate Winslet stars as her sister, Marianne. Rickman, who passed away in 2016, played Colonel Brandon, a character who forms a bond with the Dashwoods and develops feelings for Marianne.
“It was a very happy film,” Thompson noted. “But in terms of the cast, we were so lucky because they were all, in a way, theater people.” She described Winslet, then just 19, as “heaven on earth,” despite her limited experience in film at the time, having only appeared in Heavenly Creatures before this production.
Alan Rickman (left) and Emma Thompson in ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
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Reflecting on her experiences with Grant, Thompson remarked, “I kept on saying, ‘God, Hugh, you’re so grumpy. You’ve got the energy of a welk.’” Despite the playful banter, she believed it was a fresh opportunity for Grant, especially following his breakout role in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
As for Rickman, Thompson recalled his enthusiasm for stepping into a more honorable role, stating, “He was so happy to be playing someone heroic and nice ‘cause he’d been so fed up with people wanting him to be the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Rickman had gained acclaim playing the villainous Sheriff in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and had made a memorable debut as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. His dynamic range would later be showcased again alongside Thompson and Grant in Love Actually, where he portrayed a cheating husband, and in the Harry Potter series as the well-known character Professor Snape.
Emma Thompson (left) and Kate Winslet in ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
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Thompson emphasized the unique camaraderie of the cast, stating, “It was as though they knew Austen personally.” She also praised director Ang Lee, who was making his English-language debut, noting, “He was just extraordinary.”
Recalling a moment during filming, Thompson shared how she and Grant requested a different direction for a scene and were met with Lee’s collaborative spirit. “In Taiwan, he told us, ‘The director is God’ and just moves around the actors,” she explained, highlighting the contrast with Lee’s willingness to embrace collaboration.
Thompson’s screenplay for Sense and Sensibility earned her an Academy Award, marking her as the first individual to win Oscars in both acting and writing categories. Both she and Winslet were also nominated for their performances.
A new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is currently in development, featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones in a leading role.
