JANE AUSTEN ADAPTED: Making Historical Sense and Cultural Sensibility (Ep. 82)

In episode 82, The Boston Sisters discuss the Hallmark Channel’s adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility featuring a multiracial cast. Vanessa Riley, the historical and cultural consulting producer, shares her journey into Austen's works and her role in ensuring historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity. Riley also discusses her novels Queen of Exilesand Island Queen, which explore the lives of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's only queen, and Dorothy “Dolly” Kirwan Thomas, a formerly enslaved woman who became a wealthy entrepreneur. Riley emphasizes the importance of representing diverse historical figures and the potential adaptation of her novels into films.Award-winning author Vanessa Riley, honored as the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year, spotlights hidden narratives of Black women and women of color in novels. Her works emphasize strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and power across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.TIMESTAMPS0:03 - Podcast description1:30 - Overview of Sense and Sensibility2:42 - Introduction to Vanessa Riley, historical and cultural producer and historical fiction author4:05 - Vanessa's Jane Austen origin story7:25 - Jane Austen's wit9:19 - Historical authenticity and cultural sensitivity in Hallmark Channel’s SENSE AND SENSIBILITY17:39 - Challenges and achievements in adapting “Sense and Sensibility”20:35 - Generic Break21:03 - Discovering Dorothy “Dolly’ Kirwan Thomas, “Island Queen”28:35 - Vanessa's Research and discoveries for “Queen of Exiles” (Marie-Louise Christophe)36:15 - Future adaptations and Vanessa Riley's visionNote: Ep. 82 has been updated to correct a technical error in the introduction. ------SUBSCRIBE to HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS® on your favorite podcast platformENJOY past podcasts and bonus episodesSIGN UP for our mailing listSUPPORT this podcast  SHOP THE PODCAST on our affiliate bookstoreBuy us a Coffee! You can support by buying a coffee ☕ here — buymeacoffee.com/historicaldramasistersThank you for listening!