After the marriage of her governess, Miss Taylor, who becomes Mrs. Weston, Emma Woodhouse (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) finds herself seeking a new companion. She chooses Harriet Smith (portrayed by Mia Goth), a girl slightly younger than herself, whom Emma believes to be the unacknowledged daughter of a gentleman due to her mysterious parentage. Harriet's education has been taken care of, but unbeknownst to Emma, complications are about to unfold.
Emma soon learns that Mr. Robert Martin (Connor Swindells), a tenant farmer connected to her brother-in-law, Mr. Knightley (Oliver Chris), has proposed to Harriet. Determined not to intervene, Emma inadvertently manipulates Harriet into rejecting Mr. Martin’s offer, leading to distress for her friend. Meanwhile, Emma mistakenly assumes that the local vicar, Mr. Elton (played by Josh O'Connor), has feelings for Harriet and encourages her to pursue him.
However, Mr. Knightley is not pleased with Emma's meddling; he had encouraged Mr. Martin to propose and confronts Emma about the consequences of her actions. He warns her against raising Harriet’s hopes regarding Mr. Elton, as he knows that someone's societal standing plays a significant role in their compatibility. Additionally, he sees through Emma's infatuation with Frank Churchill (Callum Turner) and expresses his disdain for Frank, whom he views as duplicitous.
As Christmas approaches, Emma’s older sister Isabella (Chloe Pirrie) and Mr. Knightley's brother George (played by Johnny Flynn) arrive for celebrations. After an early departure from dinner with the Westons, Emma finds herself alone with Mr. Elton, who professes his love for her, only to be swiftly rebuffed. Soon after, Mr. Elton marries someone else, leaving Emma to break the disappointing news to Harriet: Elton never truly loved her.
The arrival of two prominent figures in the social circles, Jane Fairfax (played by Amber Anderson) and Frank Churchill, stirs a mix of emotions within Emma. Jane's talents provoke jealousy in Emma, while Frank's charm captivates her. The Westons host a ball that ultimately highlights tension when Mr. Elton pointedly refuses to dance with Harriet, but she is saved by Mr. Knightley’s invitation. Romantic feelings are ignited between Emma and Mr. Knightley, yet their potential connection is complicated by Emma's interference and misunderstandings.
As the social dynamics shift, Alice's ambition leads her to a picnic, where her thoughtless insult toward Miss Bates (played by Miranda Hart) causes an awkward rift among friends. Although she later apologizes and is forgiven, Emma struggles with her interactions with the people around her.
When news arrives that Frank Churchill’s wealthy aunt has passed away, it becomes clear that he had been secretly engaged to Jane all along. This revelation puts Emma in a difficult situation, and in her attempt to comfort Harriet, she discovers her friend's sentiments for Mr. Knightley. Remarkably, Harriet deduces that Emma's heart also lies with him.
Eventually, Mr. Knightley articulates his feelings for Emma, expressing his desire to marry her. Flattered yet concerned for Harriet's feelings, Emma finds herself overwhelmed. She makes one last attempt to reconcile matters by offering Mr. Martin a token of goodwill through a portrait of Harriet.
In a surprising turn of events, Harriet reveals that she has accepted Mr. Martin's proposal after learning of her true parentage—her father is not of gentle blood but instead a tradesman. Emma celebrates this newfound happiness for Harriet and extends an invitation to her and her father to visit.
Despite Emma's love for Mr. Knightley, she hesitates to leave her father alone. In a moment of understanding, Mr. Knightley suggests a living arrangement that honors Emma's familial obligations: he will join her household. Elated by this proposal, they embark on a new chapter of their lives together, united in love and commitment.
