Claim: Stephen Fry stars in Love & Friendship.

Love & Friendship is a 2016 period comedy film written and directed by Whit Stillman . Based on Jane Austen 's epistolary novel Lady Susan , written ca. 1794 , the film stars Kate Beckinsale , Chloë Sevigny , Xavier Samuel , and Stephen Fry . The film follows the exploits of the wry and calculating Lady Susan as she pursues the wealthy and hapless Sir James for marriage originally intended for her daughter , though she eventually marries him herself . Although adapted from Lady Susan , the film was produced under the borrowed title of Austen 's juvenile story .   The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016 . Theatrically released on May 13 , 2016 , by Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios , the film received critical acclaim and has been a box office success in North America .