FOREVER ONE TRUE LOVE! LEAST TO MOST FAVORITE JANE AUSTEN PAIRS
Since Jane Austen movies seem to be in the news, and so many (on both sides) are riled up by what’s putting her in the news, I figured why not post some Jane Austen content? The reason for her name being everywhere is the release of Netflix’s Persuasion. On both sides, people are either mad because the adaptation isn’t true Jane Austen or upset that everyone is just enjoying it because it’s just a movie. I’d wager, depending on what it is, we’re all upset about certain adaptations where we give leeway to others. It’s just the way it works. However as I like to talk about the best things I love about Jane Austen, we’re ranking some of the favorite Jane Austen couples. Because we love to spotlight them!
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FOREVER ONE TRUE LOVES! LEAST TO MOST FAVORITE JANE AUSTEN COUPLES. How many of these couples do you love? #JaneAusten #Romance Share on XI’m probably going to make a flub or two with some of these just because it’s been a while since I’ve seen some of these adaptations or I’ll have forgotten what I did or didn’t love about the couple. Nonetheless, I’ve seen enough Jane Austen to remember enough. So while I may be missing some of the good things, I feel pretty confident. Let’s dive in, shall we?
FAVORITE JANE AUSTEN COUPLES
Least to most favorite
note; this list was updated on February 4, 2026
ELINOR and EDWARD from SENSE & SENSIBILITY (1995)
Just don’t care for their relationship period in this version. But I know everyone loves the adaptation so clearly I’m missing something. Part of it is, for me, likely t he actor and the other part is the reunion. It’s just too much.
Digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
FANNY PRICE and EDMUND BERTRAM from MANSFIELD PARK (2007)
Honestly, it’s been far too long since seeing this version, but I don’t remember this pairing being dynamic. Though this is one of those that takes more modern approaches, I do remember being entertained if nothing else by this ITV adaptation.
Search places like Amazon for DVD copies
WENTWORTH and ANNE from PERSUASION (2022)
Honestly? I think of liked these two while in the moment watching this latest Netflix adaptation, but the more I’ve thought about it, the less I actually did like them as a couple. I mean, they really don’t have a lot of time together on screen and it doesn’t feel all that interesting when they are.
Synopsis: Living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy, Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities. When Frederick Wentworth—the dashing one she let get away—crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances. – Netflix
Find digitally streaming with Netflix
EMMA and MR. KNIGHTLEY from EMMA. (2020)
Honestly, I do like Emma and Mr. Knightley. I think many don’t because they find Knightley (perhaps) too hard on Emma, but it’s good for her. I think she, ultimately, needs that to grow. However… I just don’t like these two in this adaptation, this adaptation or this couple. Probably super unpopular opinion.
Synopsis: Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of Emma. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse (Thoroughbreds’ Anya Taylor-Joy) is a restless “queen bee” without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along. – Focus Features
Stream with Peacock; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
FOREVER ONE TRUE LOVE! LEAST TO MOST FAVORITE JANE AUSTEN PAIRS #Romance #PeriodDrama #PeriodRomance #Darcy #ElizabethBennet #PrideandPrejudice #JaneAusten #Emma #MrKnightley Share on XFANNY PRICE and EDMUND BERTRAM from MANSFIELD PARK (1999)
Another VERY modern adaptation of Mansfield Park (pretty sure we haven’t seen a really well made version of this story), I do think I like the interactions between Fanny and Edmund better in this adaptation. favorite jane austen couples
When a spirited young woman is sent away to live on the great country estate of her rich cousins, she’s meant to learn the ways of proper society, but she also enlightens them with a wit and sparkle all her own. – Miramax
Stream with Pluto TV; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
MR. TILNEY and CATHERINE from NORTHANGER ABBEY (2008)
Re-watched this not terribly long ago and while the relationship between these two isn’t deep, I do have to include them because Catherine is just so dang cute and Tilney is quite good to her. Plus their shy courtship is just all kinds of sweet.
Synopsis: A taste for melodrama from reading too many Gothic novels is almost Catherine Morland’s downfall when she falls in love with Henry Tilney. Invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, she finds evidence of a sinister family secret. This is a disturbingly surreal interpretation of the Jane Austen novel. – Prime Video
Stream with BritBox
CAPTAIN WENTWORTH and ANNE from PERSUASION (2007)
It’s been forever since I watched this, but I did like it best of all the Persuasion adaptations at the time. It has flaws, what movie doesn’t, but overall, I think it captures the period drama aspects (mostly) and tries to capitalize on the romance as best it can with a pretty solid performance by Rupert Penry-Jones as Wentworth.
Synopsis: Anne was in love with Frederick, who was rejected by her snobby parents 8 years ago. They’ve now hit hard times and rent out their mansion to his brother-in-law. He returns a Royal Navy captain. Will he remember Anne? – Prime Video
Stream with BritBox
MARIANNE DASHWOOD and COL. BRANDON from SENSE & SENSIBILITY (2008)
Marianne and Colonel Brandon may be a tie from both this 2008 miniseries and the 1995 feature. I think they’re a solid couple though perhaps the one thing that would drop down the latter is Kate Winslet. Her Marianne drives me more insane than Charity Wakefield’s.
Synopsis: Sense and Sensibility is a story of two young sisters on a voyage of burgeoning sexual and romantic discovery. Rational Elinor Dashwood and her romantic sister Marianne are played by sensational newcomers Hattie Morahan (Elinor) and Charity Wakefield (Marianne). – BBC.co.uk
Stream with BritBox
JANE BENNET and MR. BINGLEY from PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)
They honestly don’t get a lot of screen time, but for some reason I think Jane and Bingley are adorable in the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. There’s just something about them that’s cute and likeable.
Stream with Peacock; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
ELIZABETH BENNET and MR. DARCY from PRIDE & PREJUDICE (1995)
Grew up watching Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle’s Darcy and Elizabeth. All about the nostalgia favor because of this. I like several of their moments together including that intense piano eyelock scene of course! favorite jane austen couples
Synopsis: Re-live the romance and drama of Andrew Davies’ lavish adaptation, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. – BBC.co.uk
Stream with BritBox; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
ELINOR and EDWARD from SENSE & SENSIBILITY (2008)
Probably I’m letting more modern romantics come into my opinion here, but like the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice, this miniseries seems to look at the Elinor and Edward romance a bit differently and I sort of love that. Plus, overall, for me anything is an improvement over the dramatics of the 90s version.
Stream with BritBox
ELIZABETH and DARCY from PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)
If I’m being honest, I adore this version in a “total picture” kind of way and it’s my favorite of the Pride & Prejudice adaptations. However, while I may not individually love this chemistry more than anyone else, this version does have a have a way of “breathing” new life into this story and the relationship. Because of that, and for the fact that Pride & Prejudice has been done the most, I have to give it props and cannot help but adore this Lizzy and Darcy.
Synopsis: One of the greatest love stories of all time, Pride & Prejudice, comes to the screen in a glorious new adaptation starring Keira Knightley. When Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined in an unexpected adventure, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. – Focus Features
Stream with Peacock; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video
EMMA and MR. KNIGHTLEY from EMMA (2009)
I’ve always had a soft spot for the character of Mr. Knightley. Not sure why, but I do admire that he inspires Emma to be better. I like that he challenges her and yet he loves her in an abiding and deep way.
Synopsis: Emma Woodhouse, a self-proclaimed matchmaker, experiences a series of misadventures in love and life. – Prime Video
Stream with BritBox
Photos: Alamy
Your turn! Which Austen adaptation couples do you like best? How would you like them? Which ones are among your favorite and most loathed? Let’s chat all the Jane Austen couples! Comment all the comments below.
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