Alert Janeite Heather L. wrote to tell us that a poster at the Republic of Pemberley said that her local paper (no news which one) is reporting that Sally Hawkins has been cast as Anne Elliot in the upcoming adaptation of PERSUASION. Ms. Hawkins has had roles in the films VERA DRAKE and TIPPING THE VELVET. More photos from the cast page of the BBC drama FINGERSMITH and her head shot is posted at her voice agent’s Web site (scroll down).

And is it our admittedly overactive imagination or has the news blurb about PERSUASION on the Clerkenwell Films site changed since we posted about it less than 24 hours ago???

Clerkenwell Films’ TV Movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s PERSUASION for ITV1 is set to start shooting in September 2006. Simon Burke (Sons and Lovers, White Teeth) has written the screenplay and Adrian Shergold (Dirty Filthy Love, Ahead Of The Class) is directing. PERSUASION is set to broadcast in 2007 as part of ITV1’s Jane Austen season.

Definitely more news there! The director’s name, and that it starts shooting in September…

(Hint to the producers: ONE HOPES IN BATH! AT LEAST PARTLY!)

…and that it will be broadcast next year. But we swear on our C.E. Brock illustrated edition of Persuasion that it only said last night that it would be a two-hour movie. Could they be, um, reading this blog? Hmmmm?

P.S. to the producers: *coughWentworthcough* (We must have our share in the conversation! Anyone else who thinks it’s a good idea, post a comment and let them know!)