Netflix has just revealed the cast for its highly anticipated six-part limited series based on Jane Austen’s timeless novel Pride & Prejudice.
The show promises a fresh take on the classic story, with a star-studded ensemble leading the charge.
Emma Corrin to Play Elizabeth Bennet
In a major casting announcement, Emma Corrin, known for their iconic portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown, will take on the role of Elizabeth Bennet.
Fans of the 1800s romance will be eager to see Corrin’s interpretation of Austen’s beloved heroine.
Alongside Emma, Jack Lowden, famous for his role in Slow Horses, will portray the aloof yet passionate Mr. Darcy.
And in another exciting casting choice, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman will step into the shoes of the ever-dramatic Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth’s outspoken mother.
A New Take on a Timeless Story
The adaptation will be written by Dolly Alderton, whose work promises to offer both familiar and new elements to the story that fans have adored for centuries.
Euros Lyn, who will direct the series, is also serving as an executive producer alongside Emma Corrin.
Filming for the highly anticipated series will begin later this year in the UK.
Dolly Alderton’s Thoughts on the Project
Dolly Alderton expressed her excitement about being part of such a monumental project.
“Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story, and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it,” she said in a statement.
She also reflected on the novel’s lasting impact, calling Pride and Prejudice “the blueprint for romantic comedy” and describing how rewarding it has been to revisit the pages of Austen’s masterpiece.
Emma Corrin’s Excitement for the Role
For Emma Corrin, taking on the role of Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly’s phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honor,” they shared.
Corrin is looking forward to introducing the timeless story to a new generation of fans, hoping that they will fall in love with the characters all over again.
A Fresh Perspective on Elizabeth Bennet
It was previously reported that Emma Corrin was chosen for the role of Elizabeth Bennet due to their standout performance in The Crown.
Dolly Alderton, a fan of Emma’s work, was excited about the prospect of having a non-binary actor bring a fresh perspective to this iconic character.
Corrin, who came out as nonbinary in 2021, uses they/them pronouns and has expressed their desire to explore both femininity and masculinity rather than choose one over the other.
This casting choice marks a bold and progressive move for the series.
A Legacy of Successful Adaptations
This new Pride & Prejudice series comes after the success of the 2005 film adaptation, which starred Keira Knightley as Elizabeth and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.
The film grossed an impressive $121.6 million worldwide, earning a place in many fans’ hearts as a definitive version of the story.
The series will follow in the footsteps of these beloved adaptations, as well as the 1995 TV drama starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, which also remains a fan favorite.
The Growing Netflix Austen Universe
Netflix’s decision to bring Pride & Prejudice to the small screen follows the success of their adaptation of Persuasion, which starred Dakota Johnson.
With Austen adaptations continuing to prove popular, this new series is expected to generate significant buzz as fans eagerly await to see how this fresh interpretation of Pride & Prejudice unfolds.