Why Daisy Edgar-Jones Listened to Dolly Parton to Prep for ‘Sense and Sensibility’

Daisy Edgar-Jones is no stranger to starring in a book-to-screen adaptation.

She knows how to please hardcore fans while offering a fresh take on the material. (See the success of “Normal People” and “Where the Crawdads Are” or the upcoming “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” as proof.) That said, starring in a Jane Austen adaptation is a different beast altogether — but Edgar-Jones has been an Austen admirer from an early age.

“My mum gave me all the books when I was at a very formative age,” Edgar-Jones told Variety at the Los Angeles premiere of “Sense and Sensibility,” in which she stars as Elinor Dashwood. “It’s a rite of passage to read them all when you’re a teenager, and you’re finding yourself and falling in love for the first time and experience that personal growth. So, yeah, I read them in one fell swoop.”

Even then, Edgar-Jones connected with the eldest Dashwood daughter, known for her good sense — certainly more so than her passionate sister Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles).

“I really enjoy playing characters that have a deep well inside that maybe other people overlook, and finding ways in which to express that,” Edgar-Jones explained. “She’s somebody that has such a strength and this deep well of emotion that she’s learned to button up. And I love the journey she goes on where she becomes more comfortable with embracing that wilder side of herself. I was just so excited to sink my teeth into playing her.

To prepare for her roles, Edgar-Jones listens to songs that get her into the character’s headspace. To promote the film release, Edgar-Jones shared her “Sense and Sensibility” playlist, which ranges from legends like Billie Holiday, Minnie Riperton and Dolly Parton to contemporary artists like Alice Pheobe Lou, Julia Jacklin and Jessica Pratt.

Why include Parton’s “Here You Come Again?” Well, Edgar-Jones used to belt that track in the car on the way home from school.

“It just epitomizes what it is to like love somebody — that heartbreak and slight female rage inside that you just want to let out. I really could imagine, if Eleanor lived in a time with Dolly Parton, she’d be belting that around her bedroom in Barton [Cottage].”

At the Oct. 7 premiere, held at the United Theatre in Downtown L.A., Edgar-Jones was joined by her film family, including Caitríona Balfe, who plays their mother, Mrs. Dashwood, and Creed-Miles, who was named one of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch earlier that day.

“It’s a bit scary,” Creed-Miles said about having so many eyes drawn to her work. “I just really care about filmmakers, and Georgia [Oakley] is a really special one. I was a big fan of “Blue Jean,” so going into this, I wasn’t thinking about that side of it. I’ve never experienced anything on this level of like support, and that’s really special.”

Creed-Miles also reflected on the amplified sisterhood narrative in the film, as screenwriter Diana Reid (also a Variety 10 to Watch honoree) adapted the script to center more on the relationship between Elinor and Marianne.

“I’m family with these women: Georgia, Diana, Daisy is one of my absolute best friends, everyone,” Creed-Miles said. “Amazing women were involved in the making of this film. There was something cathartic and really rewarding about having a family making something — and a family of sisters, as well.”