Emma Corrin to Star in New 'Pride & Prejudice' Miniseries

Netflix does not have the best track record for Jane Austen adaptations. So far, the streaming service has only produced one (1) Jane Austen adaptation, 2022's Persuasion, but it so fundamentally misunderstood the spirit of Austen's best novel that it instantly became an entire track record. It was bad enough that Austen fans have been somewhat muted in responding to Netflix's announcement that it would make a new six-part Pride & Prejudice miniseries, waiting for more details. Now, those details have arrived in the form of a trio of leading cast members, and, well... two out of three ain't bad?

Of course, the character who matters most is Lizzie Bennett, a role played by actresses as varied as Jennifer Ehle in the 1995 classic to Greer Garson in the 1940s to Keira Knightley in the current "Last Major Adaptation" from back in 2005. There, Netflix scored what could be a coup, casting Emma Corrin (The Crown) as Elizabeth. Corrin may not look like a Lizzie Bennet at first glance, but she is a stunningly good actress, as evidenced by her performance as Diana Spencer. She'll be joined by her former Crown co-star, Olivia Colman, who will play Mrs. Bennet. Both of these feel like they could be genuinely inspired choices, one almost good enough to paper over other, lesser ones.

Yes, it's true. Matthew Macfayden has officially been notified that the title of "The Inferior Darcy" is in contention, as Netflix has cast Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Now, no disrespect to Lowden, I find his ridiculously named character in Slow Horses oddly endearing in his mediocre white male fog, and he was an utter stand-out in The Gold's first season, and I cannot wait for that to hit Masterpiece, so you all can watch it too. But in both these cases, Lowden's role is of someone who's kinda a tough, a heavy. He's your broad-shouldered, Tom Hardy-style action dude. He's the one you cast as the footman on Downton Abbey, not the heir. I am willing to give it a chance, but he is so utterly wrong for Mr. Darcy it fails to quell the concern this miniseries, too, will fail to understand the work. 

Thankfully, Deadline noted that some mitigation was in the works: "Sources close to production reveal that casting is underway for the perfect flowy white button-down shirt that looks great both wet and dry."

Here is the series synopsis, in case you were curious:

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.

Further casting is expected in due course as the production gets underway. The new adaptation of Austen's seminal work will be penned by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love), directed by Euros Lyn (Heartstopper), and produced by Lisa Osborne. Lyn and Corrin executive produce alongside Laura Lankester, Will Johnston & Louise Mutter for Lookout Point. 

Filming for Netflix's new Pride & Prejudice is expected to start in the coming months and arrive at the end of 2025.