Mia Wasikowska: 'Jane Eyre is modern woman'

Jane Eyre star Mia Wasikowska has suggested that the movie's title character remains timeless.

In an interview with BlackBook magazine, the 21-year-old Canberra native contended that Jane Eyre's headstrong nature transcends the Victorian era in which Charlotte Brontë's novel is set.

"Jane is such a modern character," Wasikowska remarked.

The former In Treatment star continued: "If you put her in contemporary society, she'd be running Parliament. There's something so remarkable about a woman who feels worthy of respect regardless of her social status."

The original novel has often been hailed by critics for its representation of a female heroine who champions self-reliance rather than dependence on men, which was atypical for the literary period.

Wasikowska recently suggested that she now resents being forced to study ballet as a child.

Jane Eyre is now playing in the US and opens on September 9 in the UK.

Watch the trailer for director Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre below.