Netflix‘s new limited series adaptation of Jane Austen‘s Pride and Prejudice has finally found its lead cast.
Deadline reports Emma Corrin has been tapped to star as the iconic heroine Elizabeth Bennett, while Slow Horses star Jack Lowden will be playing her irritable love interest Mr. Darcy. Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman has also been cast as Corrin’s on-screen mother, Mrs. Bennett. The rest of the Pride and Prejudice cast has not yet been announced.
The six-part limited series will be written by author Dolly Alderton, who also wrote the screen adaptation of her novel Everything I Know About Love. Heartstopper director Euros Lyn is also attached.
In addition to leading the classic romance, Corrin will also be serving as executive producer for the very first time.
“Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Corrin said in a statement. “To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly’s phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honor. I can’t wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again.”
Netflix described the series as a “faithful, classic adaptation of the novel.”
Pride and Prejudice, Austen’s second novel published in 1813, follows the budding relationship of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who come from vastly different worlds. Elizabeth is a spirited protagonist who is in no rush to marry, but faces pressure alongside her sisters from their parents to marry well when the family falls on hard times. But she finds her match in the difficult and equally judgmental Mr. Darcy, who must grapple with falling in love with someone outside of his class.
Alderton described Austen’s classic novel as “the blueprint for romantic comedy.”
“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,” she said.
Production is set to begin in the U.K. later this year.
This is not Netflix’s first foray into Austen’s work. They also adapted Austen’s Persuasion in the 2022 movie starring Dakota Johnson, which offered a more contemporary, fourth wall-breaking take on the work.
Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was famously adapted in the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, which is currently streaming on Netflix now.
But the limited series order will give viewers a prolonged look into Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s charming love story one more time.
