“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” With those words, Fitzwilliam Darcy delivered one of literature’s most famously disastrous proposals, and more than two centuries later readers are still swooning over the rest of the story. Get your bonnets ready, because Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are about to return most ardently to our screens. Netflix has announced that its new limited series adaptation of Jane Austen‘s Pride and Prejudice will debut on December 3, and it has shared the first look photos, a gallery of candlelit ballrooms, windswept countryside and longing glances that feels like the perfect gift for the holiday season.
A Classic Love Story, Told in Six Chapters
The six-part series follows the story we know by heart, with a fresh sensibility. According to the official logline, “When wealthy bachelors arrive in their neighbourhood, the five Bennet sisters must navigate love, family, and society’s expectations to secure their futures. Jane falls for the charming Mr. Bingley, while Elizabeth clashes with his proud friend Mr. Darcy – but unexpected encounters and family scandals force Elizabeth to reconsider her feelings and discover the true nature of love.” The script comes from Dolly Alderton, the beloved author of Everything I Know About Love, whose witty take on modern romance makes her a dream match for Austen’s sharp humor, while Euros Lyn directs. Filming took place in London’s Spitalfields and the Peak District, with the charming streets of Rye in East Sussex adding their cobbled magic, so expect scenery worthy of a very long walk to Pemberley.
Meet the New Bennets and Their Suitors
Emma Corrin, who also serves as an executive producer, steps into Elizabeth Bennet’s muddy boots, while Jack Lowden takes on the brooding charm of Mr. Darcy. The Bennet household gets a truly star-studded makeover, with Olivia Colman as the delightfully anxious Mrs. Bennet and Rufus Sewell as her dryly witty husband. Freya Mavor plays the gentle Jane, and her sisters come to life through Hopey Parish as Mary, Hollie Avery as Kitty and Rhea Norwood as the irrepressible Lydia. On the suitor front, Daryl McCormack charms as Mr. Bingley, and Louis Partridge slips into the dashing, dangerous coat of Mr. Wickham. Fans of comic relief can look forward to Jamie Demetriou as the unforgettable Mr. Collins, while Fiona Shaw brings her commanding presence to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. With a cast this dazzling and Alderton’s pen guiding the romance, December 3 already feels like the most anticipated ball of the year. Save us a dance, Mr. Darcy.
