Cast the Next Adaptation of Pride & Prejudice
Not sure if we have done this before, but I thought it would be fun to put our casting caps on. As far as I know there isn’t another version of Pride and Prejudice in the works. It will probably happen eventually though so let’s pretend that some fabulous director is taking a new, fresh stab at what Andrew Davies and Joe Wright have already done. For this exercise I did quite a bit of research into the British actors currently on the scene who I thought could fill the shoes of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Below I have images of my choices and a poll for you to select.
Some information before you choose–
I didn’t randomly select pretty faces. I only chose British actors of the proper age – ie: Men near 30 and women in early 20s – and all have acting credits to their name. I wasn’t terribly concerned with coloring because hair can be dyed or wigs worn, but kept to a “look” for each character I thought would fit.
I have links for each actor to learn a bit more about them if you are unfamiliar. Be thoughtful in your choices as I was!
These are the only options for this poll. However, if you have other suggestions – being serious, mind you – then mention them in the comments. I may revamp the poll in the future to arrive at the ultimate Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. If you want to toss in suggestions for other characters, feel free and perhaps we can have a poll of them too. But the focus here are the main characters of P&P.
Candidates for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
A – Henry Cavill ~ Cast as the new Superman; credits include The Tudors.
Henry Cavill on IMDB Henry Cavill on Wikipedia
B – Dan Stevens ~ Star of Downton Abbey; was Edward Ferrars in 2008 Sense & Sensibility.
Dan Stevens on IMDB Dan Stevens on Wikipedia
C – Kit Harington ~ London theatre; Game of Thrones.
Kit Harington on IMDB Kit Harington on Wikipedia
D – Ben Barnes ~ Prince Caspian; Dorian Grey.
Ben Barnes on IMDB Ben Barnes on Wikipedia
E – Harry Lloyd ~ Fun Fact: several-great-grandson of Charles Dickens; credits include BBC Robin Hood, Game of Thrones.
Harry Lloyd on IMDB Harry Lloyd on Wikipedia
F – Tom Riley ~ played Wickham in Lost in Austen; numerous TV roles.
Tom Riley on IMDB Tom Riley on Wikipedia
Sharon Lathan
Sharon Lathan is the author of The Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Her published novels include: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Loving Mr. Darcy, My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy, A Darcy Christmas, Miss Darcy Falls in Love, and The Passions of Dr. Darcy.
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63 Responses to Cast the Next Adaptation of Pride & Prejudice
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I was surprised I fit in with the majority of votes so far. That’s unusual for me. However I did have a much harder time with the Elizabeth Bennet candidates than I did for Darcy.
That’s very very hard!
First of all I have grown up on 1995 adaptation and usually find it difficult (or even close to impossible) to accept other versions with other actors.
Secondly, the suggested actors and actresses look very interesting (some of them are my favourites), and in a way it could be fun to see them all try to impersonate Darcy and Lizzy.
I voted for Henry Cavill (it’s a pity I couldn’t have voted for at least two actors, because I really wanted to see Harry Lloyd as F.D., but maybe he is more fitted for Bingley:)), and I think mr.Cavill’s photo might have played the major role, because he is dressed in proper attire and with a proper brooding appearance.
I had even harder time with choosing leading female actress. Although it would be very very funny to see any of C, D or F trying Lizzy’s shoes, the real battle in my heart was between Jessica Brown Findlay and Claire Foy. But Jessica would look nicer with Henry Cavill, so I voted for her:)
Thank you for this post, it allowed me to fantasize a little:))
Yes, I could see Harry Lloyd as Bingley.
I could have chosen images with all of them in some kind of period attire but those weren’t always the best images of them as a whole. I was afraid seeing Cavill in the perfect Regency garb might give him an edge, in the some converse way that seeing Tom Riley dressed as Wickham might be a handicap! Try to look past that and think of each actor’s overall appeal.
I love all your reasoning, Oloore. That is what I was hoping for in this exercise.
I had exactly the same dilemma with Jessica Brown Findlay and Claire Foy.
This is so hard as I am used to thinking in terms of actors my age (ie around 40) and your candidates are all so young!!!!
Looks like there is some good talent out there. For me, there only seemed to be 1 girl who could match the “sparkling eyes” and witty eyebrow raising of the 1995 version of EB. For D, broody men seem more common but it’s still hard to find one that is intense in the brooding rather than angry or melancoly or just plain dopy looking.
I’d love to have a go at some of the minor characters too!
If you have any ideas for minor characters go ahead and share.
All of these actors have pros to them, which is why I chose them! I am sure there are other worthy Brits I am unaware of though, so candidate offers are welcome.
I hadn’t thought of Emma as Lizzie prior to this but I like it. I really like it. She has the right spunk and of course the required light and pleasing figure. So with Emma in mind I picked a Mr. Darcy.
I totally agree, Kim. A part of me wanted to avoid anyone too associated with a huge role – one reason I did not add Robert Pattison to the Darcy list – but Emma would be great as Lizzy I think.
Henry Cavill was in the wonderful adaptation by Jay Wolpert and Kevin Reynolds of The Count of Monte Cristo. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a look. Jim Caviezel would have made a good Darcy a few years ago. Still think he’d be good for The Man Who Loved Jane Austen.
Maybe we should have a month long theme of casting for our novels! That would be fun.
Thanks for the tip on Cavill. I saw that he did The Count of Monte Cristo while looking him up. Sounds intriguing.
And I agree with Jim Caviezel.
I would love to see The Man Who Loved Jane Austen made into movie. Is it in the works?
What fun! I love all the choices! It would be so funny if one day an adaptation was made with one of these actors! My votes were for Mr. Cavill and Ms. Foy. Of the six, I think she had the most intelligent eyes.
I loved her in Little Dorrit. She is beautiful and an amazing actress.
While I love Dan Stevens I just get the impression from his demeanor that Henry Cavill would come across as more arrogant and aloof. Maybe it’s just because of his role in Tudors. Anyone else get that same impression of him?
Oh yes! He does come across as arrogant! I haven’t seen The Tudors – or I should say I have seen a few episodes but not enough to be an expert on the show – but based on the high praise for the series I can only assume that the cast were all excellent.
yes, Dan Stevens I really enjoy his acting but he didn’t seem to have the right smolder to be a Darcy to me. Cavill seemed the better choice in my humble and imperfect opinion.
Henry Cavill is definately my pick for Darcy. I am torn between Jessica Brown Findlay and Emma Watson for Lizzy. Jessica seems to have the overall “Lizzy” look I imagine, but Emma has the big, beautiful brown eyes.
I love Henry Cavill, but, of late, the “Darcy” in my head when I am writing is James Scott, who plays “E. J. DiMera” on “Days of Our Lives.” He’s even a Brit!!!
Oh yes! James Scott is quite fine! Here is his IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1668673/
However, he is 33 so older than what I was looking for. I know it does not matter a huge amount, but I was trying to stay within the reality for casting purposes. But thanks for the nice eye candy, Regina!
Scott could play someone of age 28.
This is great fun, Sharon! I, too, had a much harder time with Lizzy than with Darcy. I’m on the Dan Stevens bandwagon and finally voted for Jessica Brown Findlay for Lizzy though there’s something kind of weird about pairing Sybil with Matthew when he so clearly belongs to Mary!
Dan comes across as quite sweet on Downton, but I think he could do aloof and arrogant pretty well. In the photo Sharon chose, he looks quite arrogant and Darcy-like.
LOL! Yes, pairing Sybil with Matthew is all wrong!!
The funny thing is, with British productions you see so many of the same actors that it becomes normal to have everyone pairing up with everyone else! Ha!
Thanks for coming by, Pamela. Great to “see” you!!
What a wonderful idea! Thanks Sharon!
Oh, and for Lizzy – what about Keeley Hawes? I think she would do a nice job of Lizzy.
Sam @ The Little Munchkin Reader
I considered Keeley, briefly, but she is too old to be a serious choice. I was trying to stay within the novel limits for age, which is a bit tough when also wanting to pick actors with past experience to prove their capabilities.
I really like Keeley too but she is too old for Lizzie. However after seeing her in Wives and Daughters she would make a great Caroline Bingley. Is she too old for that part?
I think Henry Cavill for Darcy he’s the right look and the right aloofness. He’s my pick along with Ian Somerhalder for Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey film. I loved Henry Cavill in the Tudors and in I Capture the Castle. If not him then it would be Dan Stevens or Neil Jackson (Harry in the new Upstairs Downstairs)
As for Lizzy I couldn’t imagine Keeley Hawes as she’s already Darcy’s wife (She’s married to Matthew MacFadyen 2005′s Darcy) and she’s too old I think. I’d pick either Tamsin Merchant (She was lovely as Georgiana in 2005′s P&P) or one of the Downton Abbey girls either Laura Carmichael or Michelle Dockery ( Lady Edith and Lady Mary respectively) or Laura Haddock (The Inbetweeners film and the new Upstairs Downstairs)
There’s so many good British actors its hard to choose from.
Neil Jackson was a new one for me. Thanks for the mention! Here is his IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1337982/
Unfortunately he is 36 years old so out of the Darcy running.
Michelle Dockery is great but too old for Lizzy, sadly. I kept to actress choices less than 25. Going down to 20 was tough. I am sure there are many fine young actresses in Britain that those who live there could point to, but for me that wasn’t easy. Laura Haddock is an interesting possibility. She is 27 so outside my imposed range, but she has the “look” of a Lizzy!
The decision was hard since for mr darcy, some of the actors looked like how I picture him but i dont know of their acting abilities.
Emma Watson is my pick for Elizabeth I didnt have a second choice with this part.
Well, I had to select Dan Stevens because I have already fallen in love with him on DA.
For Elizabeth, I think Jessica Brown Findlay and Claire Foy are too pretty (and in a delicate way), and Tamzin Merchant and Holliday Grainger are too meek.
I do like the idea of Emma Watson as Elizabeth, but she doesn’t look right with Dan Stevens. So I had to go with Emilia Clarke. She had a strength about her that makes her look like she could challenge Darcy.
This was fun. Thanks. Mary
I chose Henry and Jessica.
James Scott would make a good Darcy, as well.
Can we get Prince Harry to play Bingley?
I def vote Prince Harry for Bingley!!
That was fun! I wish Richard Armitage was on the list, as I’ve always thought he would make an awesome Darcy, but maybe he’s too old? I chose Ben Barnes because he’s also got that great, smoldering, brooding look. None of the ladies really jumped out at me, but Emilia Clarke almost has the right look so I went with her.
I chose Kit Harrington and Holliday. I thought she had the right delicate yet strong look for lizzy, I would accept Caville as Darcy…..but he has the look of the 1980- sometging version, too nasty. At least in that photo. I was pleased to see I actually knew some of the actors……I’m usually sstumped on anyone under 45! Lol
Let’s do it again! This.was fun……supporting cast now!
Great post, Sharon, on a topic that’s the source of endless speculation/fantasy.
I have a new candidate for Darcy (the guy I’ve cast in my head for if “The Darcys of Pemberley” ever gets made into a movie): Ben Aldridge http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3198781/ He’s tall enough (No way could I accept a Darcy under 6 ft., which eliminates at least one the list above), has the right look, and he’s young enough that by the time a movie gets made he’ll still be of an eligible age. Fans of British period drama know him as Daniel from Lark Rise to Candleford. Dreamy
The only other role I’ve mentally cast is Lady Catherine. I’d LOVE to see Anna Chancellor (Miss Bingley from the ’95 production) play the role. Wouldn’t she be perfect? And it would be kind of an inside joke to include someone from a previous version.
Yes, nice choice, Shannon. I have never heard of him but his image is nice.
Height is an issue, I confess. I ruled out a couple others I ran across who were way too short. But surprisingly it is tough to find actors these days who are tall! What is it with Hollywood, or apparently the British either. One reason Colin and Matthew were so perfect is their wonderful height.
Good choice!
Ooohh I love the suggestions above. Daniel from Lark Rise to Candleford. I enjoyed most of the actors in that movie. I could picture several in roles of P&P. Anna Chancellor as Lady C great, great, great. I can picture it, how sad.
I’m sure Richard armitage is too old for darcy, but I could definitely picture him in that role as he does such a great job in North and South.
Prince Harry as Bingley – oh yes definitely! I wonder if he’s ever consider an acting role? heehee
Perhaps the aristocratic set acting is still frowned upon
Prince Harry! What a crack up! Think he would be up for the task? LOL!
Sadly Richard Armitage is now too old.
At least for a proper Darcy!
Sharon,
.
I loved this!! What an inspired idea
And Henry Cavill…swoon!
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/524369_10151014889785817_122870468_n.jpg
Here’s your Elizabeth – my daughter.
Oh my! She is beautiful, Robin! Does she act?
Wow she is perfect for Elizabeth ! So beautiful, amazing eyes, intelligent and witty!!!
Thank you, ladies. She will begin teaching in August – 2nd grade at a local elementary school.
Eh, I’m sure the prince doesn’t have anything else going on at the moment, right? Lol
This was such fun but very hard to decide. I chose Tom for Mr. Darcy as he stole the show for me in Lost in Austen as Wickham. I can see past his portrayal of Wickham and I believe he has the depth and range to pull off a wonderful Darcy. No one though can replace Colin Firth and ‘the look’ he gave to Lizzy in my estimation. As for Lizzy, again it was tough. I was caught between Jessica and Claire. Claire finally won out as she had a special sparkle in her eyes that appealed to me. Now I think Holliday would be a perfect Jane! Harry for Mr. Bingley? Brilliant!
Carole
Indeed Holliday Grainger would be an excellent Jane! No wig needed. LOL!
She did choric speaking and reader’s theater in high school, and she was on a TV reality show. She has also modeled for several photo shoots. Here’s another couple of shots from that photo shoot.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151014889350817&set=a.10151014886085817.393582.504415816&type=3&theater
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151014889675817&set=a.10151014886085817.393582.504415816&type=3&theater
Jessica Brown Findlay and Ben Barnes would look well together as far as casting. Ben Barnes has the ability to play sexy, with an air of confidence, and sheer annoyance…..watch him in Dorian Grey. Jessica has that spunky side(Downton Abbey) yet docile as well like in the way that Keira played the role. Dan Stevens would be a good Bingley.
I love the idea of Emma for Elizabeth, but had a much harder time with Darcy seeing as I have always wanted to see Richard Armitage as Darcy.
What fun! Holliday Grainger gets my vote for Jane Bennet.
So much fun! Thanks for this, Shannon.
Good choices, Sharon. I have seen several of these actors and actresses on tv and movies so I recognise most of them except for Harry Lloyd and Emilia Clarke’s photos which coincidentally play siblings in Game of Thrones if not mistaken. Both look different in their character compared to real-life. The photo of Henry Cavill is also different from when I remember him from The Tudors. I wonder what movie did he act in.
What a fun idea! I have no ideas to toss on the table because all the ones I thought of are too old. *sadly*
I went with Ben because I could see him staring and making statements that could be interpreted as prideful. I thought Emelia looked spunky enough. I’ve never seen her act though so just winging it with that thought.
Thanks! I love the idea presented earlier of author’s doing casting calls for their books.
Yes, I think it’s be fun to cast people for various AuAu novels! Especially the more minor characters or original characters like Sharon’s Dr George or Mary’s Antony Fitzwilliam.
LOVE this post. I don’t know about Tamzin as Elizabeth, though…feels kinda incestuous to me.
LOL! So many British actors play in numerous roles that I imagine they experience that feeling all the time!
Aww, my favorite for Darcy isn’t doing so hott in the polls … As soon as I saw Ben Barnes, I melted. Swooned. I love him. LOVE him.
Would love to see that boy in breeches and cravat … Ahem 
Another good option for Darcy, I think, is Ben Aldridge (Lark Rise to Candleford, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3198781/) … Shannon Winslow and I have spent much time debating his Darcyness, and I think he could totally do it.
I agree with you, Rivka. Ben Barnes is yummy and would do well. I think Dan and Harry get the edge because of the Regency attire, in part at least.
Shannon did mention Ben Aldridge and I think I’ll add him to the list for a future poll. He is a great choice, at least as far as appearance. I have never seen him in anything so can’t go by that.
Thanks for the mention!
I liked that! It was soo much fun to see what the majority voted on. My votes didnt match at all, but I do agree with the majority even though I changed my vote! Thanks!!
Sharon, this was so much fun! I have a soft spot for Ben Barnes, and was so glad to see him there on your Darcy list! (Although, Henry Cavill wouldn’t be bad either!)
Oh wow this is so difficult… Darcy and Elizabeth are so adored that I do not want to mess it up! But I chose Henry Cavill and Emma Watson. Henry I believe can be the strong, proud Mr. Darcy but also the sweet, loving brother too. And Emma is a beautiful and brilliant actress. She knows how to completely embody a character as we have seen in Harry Potter. But I believe she herself is very witty and can bring that into her portrayal of Elizabeth.