Netflix's New 'Pride & Prejudice' Rounds Out Cast as Filming Begins

The first image for Netflix's new Pride & Prejudice is out, and those holding their breath can breathe a sigh of relief. While it won't be certain whether this new adaptation will be as embarrassingly bad as the 2022 Persuasion until it debuts*, the first image of the Bennet women shows that this take understands the assignment visually. But perhaps more importantly, writer Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) has come out with a statement meant to calm any worries that Lizzie Bennet might not be exactly as she ought.

(*Word to the wise: If your audience thinks Anne Elliot's best match is Mr. Elliot, you have failed at Persuasion.)

The announcement that filming has commenced, along with the casting of the adaptation, notably opens with the promise that "the series will be a faithful, classic adaptation of the novel." It also highlights Alderton's statement about the forthcoming project: 

"Once in a generation, a group of people gets to retell this wonderful story, and I feel fortunate that I get to be a part of it," Alderton said. "Jane Austen’s Pride & 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 & Prejudice as their favourite book, and those who are yet to meet their Lizzie and Mr Darcy.”

Here is Netflix's version of the synopsis:

Austen’s second novel follows Elizabeth Bennet, an unmarried woman and the second of five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet from Hertfordshire, near London. Their home can only be inherited by males in the family, so the pressure is on for the daughters to marry well or risk losing everything. While out in society, Elizabeth interacts with single men like Mr. Darcy, an outwardly curmudgeon who is misunderstood. The novel tackled the issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of the British Regency.

Previously announced leads Emma Corrin (The Crown) as Lizzie, Jack Lowden (The Gold) as Mr. Darcy, and Olivia Colman (The Favourite) as Mrs. Bennet, will be joined by an A-list lineup playing the Bennet family. Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat) is Mr Bennet, Freya Mavor (Marie Antoinette) is Jane, Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper) is Lydia, with newcomers Hopey Parish and Hollie Avery as Mary and Lydia, respectively. Also in leading roles are Daryl McCormack (The Woman in the Wall) as Mr Bingley, Siena Kelly (Domino Day) as Caroline Bingley, Jamie Demetriou (Barbie) as Mr. Collins, Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes) as Mr. Wickham, and Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve) as Lady Catherine de Bourg.

Supporting cast includes Rosie Cavaliero (Bookish) as Lady Lucas, Anjana Vasan (We Are Lady Parts) and Sebastian Armesto (Gangs of London) as Mr and Mrs. Gardiner, plus Saffron Coomber (Three Little Birds) and James Dryden (Time Bandits) as Mr and Mrs. Hurst. Justin Edwards (The Franchise) is Sir William Lucas, James Northcote (The Last Kingdom) is Colonel Forster, Eloise Webb (Sanditon) is Harriet Forster, and Isabella Sermon (Jurassic World) will be Georgiana Darcy.

Alderton penned the script with Euros Lyn (Heartstopper) directing and produced by Lisa Osborne. Lyn and Corrin executive produce alongside Laura Lankester, Will Johnston & Louise Mutter for Lookout Point. 

Filming for the new Pride & Prejudice is now underway in the UK. It is expected to arrive on Netflix in 2026. The 1995 miniseries is available to stream for members on select PBS Passports. (As always, check your local listings/streamers.) The 2005 film is available on the once-and-future HBO Max.