- Jack Lowden will play Mr Darcy in a new Pride and Prejudice
- He says his ginger Darcy will be a game changer
- The series will air on Netflix
Jack Lowden will soon present us with a new take on an iconic literature icon – one that he thinks will “break down barriers.”
The Dunkirk and Slow Horses star will feature in a new six-part TV adaptation of Jane Austin’s iconic romantic story. The show is set to land on Netflix in the near future.
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Lowden will take on the role of Mr Darcy, the primary love interest of the stories heroine Elizabeth Bennet. Here, Bennet will be played by Black Mirror’s Emma Corrin.
A much-loved character, Darcy has – up until now – been portrayed by characters with dark hair. However, Lowden believes his new ginger take on a literary icon will break new ground for fans of Austen’s work.
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“It is one of the great last barriers to break down,” joked Lowden, speaking about the role on an appearance on the BBC’s Sunday with host Laura Kuenssberg.
“I quite like the idea of being a ginger Darcy…. I think that is really breaking down barriers – one of the great last barriers to be broken down.”
Lowden continued, adding saying “I quite like the idea of me coming along and doing something else with it.
Which actors have played Mr Darcy?
While a number of actors have played Mr Darcy in various adaptations of Austen’s novel, two big names are typically associated with the role.
The first is Colin Firth. He played Darcy opposite Jennifer Ehle’s Bennet in a mini-series adaptation released in 1995.
Ironically, he later went on to play a character with the same last name in the Bridget Jones franchise. Here, he brought Jones’ late husband Mark Darcy to life before he met an untimely end in the series’ latest instalment.
The second big name often associated with the role is Succession stand out Matthew Macfadyen. Under the guidance of director Joe Wright, he played Darcy opposite Kiera Knightly’s Bennett on the big screen in 2005.
That movie also starred the likes of Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench and Rosamund Pike.
Who is starring in the Netflix series?
Netflix’s new take on the story will be adapted by author Dolly Alderton and directed by Heartstopper’s Euros Lyn.
In addition to Corrin and Lowden, the six-part series will also feature Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet.
Speaking of the role, Corrin said “To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly’s phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honor. I can’t wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again.”
