Actresses Who Have Played Jane Eyre

by Helen Earnshaw | 5 September 2011

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of the most loved novels of all time, as well as being one of may favourites, which has been adapted many times over the years for both TV and the big screen.

This week we are set to be treated to a new adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel as director Cary Fukunaga brings his version to the silver screen - starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in the role of Jane and Mr Rochester.

So to celebrate the release of the movie we take a look at some of the actresses who have played Bronte's heroine over the years.

Joan Fontaine (1942)

1944 brought the seventh film adaptation of the movie as Joan Fontaine took on the role of Jane alongside Orson Welles, who played Rochester.

The movie was directed by Robert Stevenson, who went on to direct Mary Poppins, as he brought the Yorkshire Moors to life in Hollywood.

Suzannah York (1970)

A TV movie followed in 1970 as Suzannah York joined forced with George C. Scott to bring the love story to life.

However despite the film being an adaptation of Bronte's novel there were some huge differences to the book - Jane doesn't inherit a fortune and her family link to the Rivers family is missed out; to name just two.

The movie was given a cinema release in the UK but on appeared on TV in America.

Charlotte Gainsbourg (1996)

In 1996 the story of Jane Eyre was brought to the big screen once again by director Franco Zeffirelli.

This time it was English born French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg who took on the title role alongside William Hurt as Rochester.

The movie was met well by the critics when it was released, although it was believed that Hurt was miscast in the role of the Bionic hero.

Samantha Morton (1997)

Just a year later and the story was retold again, but this time for TV, as Samantha Morton took over the role in what is my favourite adaptation of the novel.

Ciaran Hind starred alongside the actress as Rochester in the Robert Young directed movie.

Like adaptations that has gone before it Jane's inheritance and her link with the Rivers' family were all left out.

Ruth Wilson (2006)

The last adaptation of the novel came in 2006 when the BBC turned the story into a mini-series with Ruth Wilson as Jane.

Being a series and not a two hour movie the adaptation, on the whole, was incredibly faithful to the popular novel.

The movie was a huge critical success as Wilson went on to be nominated for a Bafta for her central performance. The series was also nominated for a string of Emmy Awards.

Mia Wasikowska (2011)

This week Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska brings a new version of the character to the big screen under Fukunaga's direction.

Jane Eyre (Wasikowska) flees Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for wealthy Edward Rochester (Fassbender).

The isolated and imposing residence, and Mr. Rochester's coldness, have sorely tested the young woman's resilience, forged years earlier when she was orphaned.

As Jane reflects upon her past and recovers her natural curiosity, she will return to Mr. Rochester, and the terrible secret that he is hiding...