Into The Austenverse

Mini Mini with Cosi Toni: 2026 - Another Blockbuster Austen Year?

Into The Austenverse

Show Notes

With Lisa away casting Moulin Rouge, DC is joined by his Today Extra EP and “Austen guru” Cosi Toni to gauge their “hype meter” for 2026 Jane Austen adaptations. They discuss the BBC’s The Other Bennet Sister (aired in the UK with five episodes on iPlayer), praising the book’s slow-burn start and racing second half, its “pro-Gardiner” energy, and the casting of 1995’s Mary. They debate Netflix’s upcoming Pride and Prejudice, critiquing its teaser for echoing the 2005 “hand flex,” noting interest in Jack Lowden as Darcy and Olivia Colman, and expressing lingering disappointment from Netflix’s Persuasion. They also preview a new Sense and Sensibility with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Fiona Shaw, and writer Diana Reid, then rank their excitement in differing orders, calling 2026 a major “Jane” year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More from Into The Austenverse

Oct 22, 2026

Lisa and David Campbell return for a bonus episode of the Austenverse, reacting to listener feedback on their Sense and Sensibility episode and discussing how newer audiences may embrace the latest adaptation despite critiques about style and clarity. They then dive into a spoiler-free discussion of the film Wicker (based on the short story The Wicker Husband), praising its world-building, humor, performances (including Olivia Colman, Ella Bruccoleri, Alexander Skarsgård, and Peter Dinklage), and its deeper themes of loneliness, shame, gossip, and social comparison, while noting its strong language and mature themes. Sense and Sensibility (1995) next!!! WICKER MUSICAL! INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse TIKTOK @in2theaustenverse YouTube @intotheaustenverse Or email us at [email protected]

Oct 18, 2026

David and Lisa Campbell return to the Austenverse for a spoiler-packed conversation about the 2026 Sense and Sensibility, directed by Georgia Oakley and written by Diana Reid. They debate whether the film captures the heart of the story, highlight standout performances, whilst talking about humour, casting “star power,” and several bold creative choices that sparked audible audience reactions. They also dig into what feels modern versus period-accurate, and why certain adaptation changes may reshape how viewers understand the characters and relationships. What did YOU think? JAMAAL BURKMAR’S TAKE ON THE CHOREOGRAPHY REGENCY BEARD INFO MICKIE THE PUNK INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse TIKTOK @in2theaustenverse YouTube @intotheaustenverse Or email us at [email protected]

Oct 12, 2026

With Lisa away in Madrid casting Moulin Rouge!, DC returns solo and shares the full unedited junket interview with Sense and Sensibility stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles in Sydney. He teases an upcoming review of the film, plus reactions to the heavy Florence Pugh East of Eden series and a planned wrap-up when Lisa returns. He also talks about another podcast The Popcorn Bucket and notes a Sense and Sensibility-themed popcorn bucket he’s trying to track down. In the interview, the actors discuss their Austen fandom, embodying Elinor and Marianne, Regency costumes and bonnets, rehearsing distinct dance sequences, the impact of female creators, and why Austen’s character-driven stories remain endlessly adaptable. INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse TIKTOK @in2theaustenverse YouTube @intotheaustenverse Or email us at [email protected] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 27, 2026

Hosts Lisa Campbell and David Campbell kick off a “Steinbeckverse” detour ahead of their upcoming Sense and Sensibility coverage, prompted by Netflix’s new East of Eden series starring Florence Pugh (releasing October 1). They discuss Steinbeck’s 1952 novel as his magnum opus, its two-family saga (Trasks and Hamiltons), and how the 1955 Elia Kazan film adapts only the book’s final section. After watching the James Dean version, they discuss Dean’s naturalistic, method-influenced performance and strong work from Jo Van Fleet and discuss the filmmaking elements like the overture, loud score, obvious studio backdrops, and abrupt pacing. They unpack key themes (Cain and Abel, inherited “badness,” war profiteering) and touch on Kazan’s controversy over naming names during McCarthyism, linking it to Zoe Kazan leading the new adaptation. DIZZY AND JIMMY - The book DC references ORSON WELLES ON ELIA KAZAN INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse TIKTOK @in2theaustenverse YouTube @intotheaustenverse Or email us at [email protected]

Sep 20, 2026

DC and Lisa celebrate the one-year anniversary of Into the Austenverse and reflect on global listenership and standout guests before welcoming award-winning writer/showrunner/executive producer Liz Doran to discuss Netflix’s My Brilliant Career. Doran shares how she came to the story via the film, pitched Netflix first, and developed a “dirty-hemmed, unbuttoned” Australian period drama with detailed realism, expanded First Nations storylines through First Nations writers and consultants, and a reimagined Harry with Chinese heritage, plus specific symbolic choices like native flowers and black cockatoo feathers. Actors Philippa Northeast (Sybylla) and Kate Mulvany (Augusta) join to discuss casting, building character through collaboration, working with Christopher Chung, filming key scenes like the New Year’s Eve party, and why the series’ themes of agency and ambition resonate worldwide, while hoping it inspires more Australian literary adaptations. ***Warning - there is a spicy discussion about Sybylla’s sex life in the interview with Pip and Kate.*** INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse TIKTOK @in2theaustenverse YouTube @intotheaustenverse Or email us at [email protected].

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