Colin Firth as Mark Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation’s iconic pond scene
When it comes to film adaptations of beloved books, fans are often hesitant and protective of their favorite characters. This was certainly the case when Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation was announced, with some criticizing the casting choices for being too young and “whitewashed”. However, the announcement of Dolly Alderton’s upcoming Pride and Prejudice series has caused a different kind of uproar among Austen fans – the casting of Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet and Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet. While many see Colman as the perfect choice for Mrs. Bennet, some are not as thrilled with Corrin playing the iconic role of Elizabeth. This can only lead to one question – who will play Mr. Darcy?
Many fans immediately think of Colin Firth when it comes to portraying the iconic character of Mr. Darcy, as his role in the 1995 BBC adaptation inspired the creation of the lovable Mark Darcy in Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones novel. It’s no wonder that fans have a strong attachment to Firth’s portrayal and are hesitant to see anyone else take on the role. However, does it really matter who plays Mr. Darcy in the grand scheme of things? After all, it is his home, Pemberley, that is the true love affair in the story.
Helen Fielding, who adapted the novel for Bridget Jones, sums it up perfectly when she says, “I always think it’s rather funny that the point at which Elizabeth Bennet really decides she likes Mr. Darcy was when she saw his great big house in the country.” It is clear that Austen, who never ignores the material considerations of women’s marital arrangements, saw Pemberley as a crucial factor in Elizabeth’s feelings towards Darcy. In fact, it is only after her visit to Pemberley that she begins to regret turning down Darcy’s initial proposal, as she muses about what her life could have been like as the mistress of such a grand estate.
In a 2023 article from The Guardian, economist Peter Kenway suggests that Elizabeth’s practical attitude towards marriage may be more relevant to viewers today than ever before. He believes that we could soon see a “Jane Austen-style marriage market” where millennials without an inheritance seek out partners who stand to inherit property, just as Elizabeth’s sisters sought out wealthy men in the novel. This is particularly relevant in our current housing crisis, with house prices reaching levels not seen since the 1800s when Austen wrote her classic.
This practical view of relationships is also reflected in modern dating trends, as couples and sex therapist Emily Lambert Robins points out. In an interview with HuffPost UK, she suggests that the housing crisis may be to blame for the rise of “situationships” – relationships that never reach a committed stage. With limited space and high living costs, it is difficult for couples to spend quality time together and truly get to know each other. Instead, connections are often kept at a surface level, leading to the endless cycle of “situationships”.
Therefore, rather than obsessing over who will play Mr. Darcy in the upcoming adaptation, perhaps viewers will find themselves more attached to the iconic locations in the story. The 2005 adaptation shot its Pemberley scenes at the grand Chatsworth House, while the 1995 version used the exterior of Lyme Park. Fans can only hope that the upcoming Netflix adaptation will continue this trend and feature an equally stunning Pemberley.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who plays Mr. Darcy in the upcoming adaptation. What truly matters is the story itself and the enduring love affair between Elizabeth and Pemberley. So let’s put aside our attachments to previous versions and embrace the new interpretation, as long as it does justice to the heart and soul of Jane Austen’s beloved novel.
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