> At a Glance
> – Emma Thompson says Alan Rickman was thrilled to play Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility
> – Rickman welcomed the heroic role after years of villainous parts in Die Hard and Robin Hood
> – The 1995 film marked its 30th anniversary, prompting Thompson to reflect on the happy set
> – Why it matters: Fans get a rare glimpse into Rickman’s desire to be seen as more than just Hollywood’s go-to villain
In a new video for GQ, Emma Thompson looks back on Sense and Sensibility-the 1995 Jane Austen adaptation she wrote and starred in-revealing how much Alan Rickman treasured playing a rare heroic role.
A Heroic Turn for Rickman
Thompson, 66, recalls Rickman’s excitement at portraying the kind Colonel Brandon: “He was so happy to be playing someone heroic and nice ’cause he was so fed up with people wanting him to be the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Rickman had become famous for villains:
- Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988)
- Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
An Ensemble of Theater Veterans
Calling the shoot “a very happy film,” Thompson praises the cast as “theater people” with minimal egos. She singles out:
- Kate Winslet, then 19 and “untried,” as “heaven on earth”
- Hugh Grant, her frequent collaborator, whom she teased for being “grumpy”
- Greg Wise, who played Willoughby and later became Thompson’s husband
Behind the Camera
Director Ang Lee, making his English-language debut, embraced the actors’ collaborative spirit. Thompson notes that Lee loved the Western style of open discussion after coming from Taiwan, where “the director is God.”
Awards and Legacy
Thompson won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, becoming the only person ever to win Academy Awards for both acting and writing. Both she and Winslet earned acting nominations for the film.
Key Takeaways
- Rickman cherished the chance to play a romantic lead instead of a villain
- The tight-knit cast created a joyful, ego-free set
- Thompson’s script earned her a unique place in Oscar history
- Netflix is developing a new adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones
Thompson’s memories underscore how Sense and Sensibility let audiences-and Rickman himself-see the actor’s warmer side.
