Firle Estate owner ‘delighted’ home chosen for new Jane Austen film

The film, directed by Autumn de Wilde, will be released in cinemas on Friday (February 14) and sees the stately home appear as Hartfield, home of protagonist Emma Woodhouse and her father Henry, played by Anya Taylor-Joy and Bill Nighy.

Filming took place from mid-March to mid-June last year and saw some of the rooms wallpapered and painted to reflect the Georgian period.

Lord and Lady Gage and their youngest son also had the opportunity to appear in the film as extras.

In a statement, Lord Gage said: “Lady Gage and I were absolutely delighted when Autumn De Wilde chose Firle Place as the location for Hartfield in her new film adaption of Jane Austen’s Emma.

“The house lends itself well as a film location and we embraced the bright new Georgian colours which Autumn used to bring Emma’s home to life, some of which we have kept for the coming months so that our visitors can experience and enjoy them.

“The cast and crew were with us at Firle for four months in the spring and early summer of last year and it was good to have them with us.

“My wife, youngest son and I had the absolute pleasure of being extras in the film.”