Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice: Everything we know so far

Netflix is reportedly developing a series on Pride and Prejudice, the classic Jane Austen novel of manners set in Regency-era England. Published in 1813, the novel remains popular to this day and has spawned several critically and commercially successful series and film adaptations over the years.

For the unversed, Austen’s novel is set in the early nineteenth century. It revolves around the landed gentry class. The principal characters of the book are the Bennets, the Bingleys, and the Darcies.

Read on to find out everything we know so far about the potential Pride and Prejudice adaptation.

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Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice: All updates so far

Deadline reported on October 11, 2024 that Netflix is currently considering a series adaptation of Austen’s second novel. However, the project has not been officially greenlit by the studio yet, and no cast members have yet been selected. However, several details about the adaptation are available.

Dolly Alderton, the writer of the 2018 memoir Everything I Know About Love, has reportedly written the script. Lookout Point, the producer of Gentleman Jack, is set to produce the project.

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What happens in Pride and Prejudice?

An unlikely romance develops between the free-spirited Elizabeth Bennet and the incredibly wealthy Fitzwilliam Darcy. Their relationship starts on an awkward note, due to the class difference between the two. However, the social status is transcended with time and the proud Darcy expresses his love for Elizabeth.

The novel is famous for its subtle and satirical portrayal of the landed gentry. Characters like Lady Catherine de Bourgh, the overbearing aunt of Mr Darcy, and Mr William Collins, the Bennets’ distant second cousin, are ridiculed by Austen for their high-handed and avaricious behavior.

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Regency-era stories are popular on Netflix

In British history, the Regency era lasted from about 1795 to 1837 when George, Prince of Wales, effectively ruled Britain as King George III was too ill to take care of administrative affairs. Austen wrote several novels in the Regency era, and many modern novelists have set their novels in that period.

In 2022, Netflix released a film adaptation of Austen’s Regency-era novel Persuasion (1817), directed by Carrie Cracknel and starring Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot.

On December 25, 2020, the first season of Bridgerton premiered on Netflix. Based on the Regency-era novels penned by Julia Quinn, the series is set in an alternative England where racial equality has been established, thanks to the African heritage of Queen Charlotte, George III’s wife.

Bridgerton has been very popular on the platform, and its fourth season is currently in the works. Thus, if finalized, Pride and Prejudice would be the latest addition to a series of Regency-era stories available on Netflix.

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Pride and Prejudice has had an illustrious on-screen career

Stills from the 2005 film adaptation (Image via Focus Features)

Austen’s novel has been adapted numerous times for both small and big screens. In 1995, BBC produced a six-episode series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, adapted by Andrew Davies, and starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, respectively.

A film adaptation of the novel was released in 2005. Directed by Joe Wright, it starred Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr Darcy.

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