If you thought that Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy couldn’t get any better than Colin Firth’s 1995 wet-shirt portrayal, then you might just need to think again, based on the latest news that actor Harris Dickinson will portray the writer’s most famous love interest.
To celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday this year Audible, creator of audio storytelling, will launch an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with the Babygirl actor starring opposite Bafta-winning actor Marisa Abela (Industry and Back to Black) as Elizabeth Bennet.
Other cast members include Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy, Will Poulter, Jessie Buckley, Sophie Wilde, David Gyasi, Rosalind Eleazar and Glenn Close... and we're already hooked.
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Premiering on September 9, Dickinson says that it’s the enduring appeal of the period drama that attracted him to the role: "Playing Mr. Darcy was an amazing experience. I’ve always known him as this iconic character, but getting to really dive into the novel through this process gave me a whole new appreciation for him and the world. Being part of such a talented cast made it even better. It’s a real privilege to be part of something so timeless."
While Marisa Abela says that Elizabeth Bennet, who will share far more of her inner world in this adaptation, "is one of the most fiercely intelligent and iconic characters in literature and stepping into her shoes has been an incredible honour. What I love about this adaptation is how it lets us hear her inner world in such a vivid, intimate way."
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I’ve always known him as this iconic character but I have a whole new appreciation for him
It sure is going to be intimate—one of the most popular reasons people chose to listen to Audible books, whether for company on a commute or as part of a wind-down routine, is to experience storytelling more directly. And Dickinson finds himself in good company: The role of Mr Darcy has been portrayed by Laurence Olivier in 1940 and by Matthew Macfadyen in Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation for the big screen.
Meanwhile, earlier this year Netflix announced that Dolly Alderton, agony aunt and author of the chart-topping Everything I Know About Love, is writing the screenplay for a Pride and Prejudice series starring ELLE UK’s recent cover star Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden.
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"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," Dolly Alderton said at the time of the announcement.
A truth universally acknowledged that it’s going to be a good year for Pride and Prejudice fans. And in the meantime, there’s always Jane Austen dressing to see you through.
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.