(Kate Beckinsale): The clever protagonist.
Set in the 1790s, the film follows the exquisitely manipulative and beautiful widow (Kate Beckinsale). To escape scandalous rumors about her social life, she retreats to her in-laws' estate. While there, she schemes to secure wealthy husbands for both herself and her timid daughter, Frederica, using her sharp wit and charm to navigate the rigid social mores of the era. According to IMDb , it is based on Jane Austen’s early epistolary novella Lady Susan . Key Characters & Cast
(Xavier Samuel): The young, impressionable suitor.
As detailed on Wikipedia , the film features a standout ensemble: