Netflix has announced a new adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
The streaming giant has now confirmed long-standing rumours that they are turning the well-loved novel into a six-part television series.
Huge talent has also signed up, with Emma Corrin to play Elizabeth Bennet, while Olivia Colman will star as the match-making Mrs Bennet.
Published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is arguably Austen's most famous novel. The story —which follows heroine Elizabeth Bennett and her suitor, Mr. Darcy — has previously been adapted into multiple formats, notably with the BBC's 1995 miniseries that starred Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, and Joe Wright's 2005 film that starred Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
The new series comes after the BBC has confirmed they are working on their own Pride and Prejudice spin-off. Titled The Other Bennet Sister, the 10-part drama will focus on Mary Bennet – Lizzy’s supposedly unremarkable sister and the middle Bennet daughter that is typically overlooked.
Pride and Prejudice will be Netflix's second stab at an Austen adaptation, following their divisive take on Persuasion back in 2022.
The news comes amid Netflix's enormous success with another Regency-era romance: Bridgerton. Adapted from Julia Quinn's romance novel series, the show follows the courtships and eventual marriages of siblings from the noble Bridgerton family. It is currently in production for its fourth season.
Here's what we know about the upcoming series of Pride and Prejudice so far.
Who is writing Netflix's Pride and Prejudice series?
Dolly Alderton, a novelist and screenwriter, has been tasked with bringing Austen's manuscript to life – and will also serve as an executive producer on the project.
Alderton has previously adapted her debut book — a 2018 memoir titled Everything I Know About Love — into a BBC romcom series. She has also written best-selling novels, Ghosts, and Good Material, the latter of which was released last year.
"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. "Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life. With Euros Lyn directing our stellar cast, I am so excited to reintroduce these hilarious and complicated characters to those who count Pride and Prejudice as their favourite book, and those who are yet to meet their Lizzie and Mr Darcy."
Who is in the cast of Netflix's Pride and Prejudice?
Emma Corrin (The Crown, Black Mirror) will star as Elizabeth Bennet. They will be joined by Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Benediction) , who takes on the role of Mr Darcy.
The Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman has been confirmed to play Mrs Bennet.
Speaking about the project, Corrin (who is also an executive producer) said: "Playing 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 honour. I can’t wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again."
Iconic Pride and Prejudice adaptations in the past have featured Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley as protagonist Elizabeth Bennett, the witty and second-eldest sister of the Bennett family. Meanwhile, Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen have previously portrayed Elizabeth's love interest, the haughty and incredibly wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy.
