British actresses who made their name starring in Jane Austen adaptations

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan made her film debut as Kitty Bennet in 2005's film of Pride and Prejudice.

She won the part after meeting Julian Fellowes through an introduction by her old headmistress at Woldingham, an independent Roman Catholic boarding school. She'd been turned down by several drama schools, but she wrote to Fellowes afterwards and her determination convinced him to help her. He introduced her to a casting agent who was looking for a new face for the role.

Despite being praised for her performance it was her co-star Keira Knightly who stole most of the limelight as Elizabeth Bennet. The two have most recently appeared alongside in the film Never Let Me Go, adapted from Booker prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro's novel.

The 25 year-old has also appeared in Northanger Abbey (2007) as Isabella Thorpe in a television adaptation.