Several actors have given their spin on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy through the years.

6 notable adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, from underrated TV series to iconic films

Several actors have given their spin on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy through the years.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

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February 28, 2026 11:00 a.m. ET

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Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet; Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy; Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Credit:

Netflix; Alex Bailey/Focus Features; Mark Lawrence/TV Times via Getty;

Jane Austen's beloved novel *Pride and Prejudice* has been captivating readers and filmmakers for over 200 years. The tale of love, wit, and social manners has been retold in just about every way imaginable, from timeless TV adaptations to Oscar-winning films.

Now, an upcoming Netflix limited series is set to grace our screens in 2026, marking the first time in decades that the book's been adapted as a show. "*Pride and Prejudice* will join the yearn-aissance in the Autumn to faithfully bring Jane Austen's iconic story back to life for audiences that cherish it, whilst inspiring a new generation to fall in love with it for the first time," reads a Netflix release.

While creative, modern riffs on the classic novel will always have a special place in our hearts (here's looking at you, *Bridget Jones' Diary *and *Fire Island*), we're looking back at similarly faithful adaptations ahead of Netflix's new series. Let's take a tour through some of our favorite spins on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy through the years.**

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice'.

*Pride and Prejudice *received the big screen treatment in 1940 following several TV movies. Written by novelist Aldous Huxley and trailblazing playwright Jane Murfin, the film blends comedy and romance in a way that feels very much of its time, capturing the playful charm of old Hollywood. * *even ranked it No. 4 in their list of the best Austen adaptations and called Laurence Olivier "note-perfect" as Mr. Darcy.

Where to watch *Pride and Prejudice *(1940): HBO Max

**Director**: Robert Z. Leonard

**Cast**: Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Mary Boland, Edmund Gwenn, Edna May Oliver, Maureen O'Sullivan, Ann Rutherford, Bruce Lester

Orgoglio e pregiudizio (1957)

'Orgoglio e pregiudizio'.

RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

*Orgoglio e pregiudizio* is an Italian take on *Pride and Prejudice*. While it might not be as widely recognized as some of the more famous adaptations, this five-part TV series gives Austen's classic a whole new flavor. Though it remains mostly faithful, it isn't afraid to make a few bold changes, notably beginning with a duel between Mr. Darcy (Franco Volpi) and Wickham (Enrico Maria Salerno).

*Orgoglio e pregiudizio *(1957) is currently unavailable to rent or stream.

**Director**: Daniele D'Anza

**Cast**: Virna Lisi, Franco Volpi, Elsa Merlini, Sergio Tofano, Vira Silenti, Margherita Bagni, Luisella Boni, Matteo Spinola, Enrico Maria Salerno

Pride and Prejudice (1967)

(L to R) Lucy Fleming as Lydia Bennet, Sarah Taunton as Kitty Bennet, Polly Adams as Jane Bennet, Celia Bannerman as Elizabeth Bennert, Michael Gough as Mr. Bennet, and Vivian Pickles as Mrs. Bennet on 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty

Around 150 years after Austen's death, *Pride and Prejudice *was reimagined as yet another TV miniseries. This time, Celia Bannerman and Lewis Fiander took on the roles of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Over the years, fans have praised the six episode series for staying relatively faithful to the original novel.

*Pride and Prejudice *(1967) is currently unavailable to rent or stream.

**Director**: Joan Craft

**Cast**: Celia Bannerman, Lewis Fiander, Lucy Fleming, Vivian Pickles, Michael Gough, Polly Adams, Julian Curry, Georgina Ward, Sylvia Coleridge

Pride and Prejudice (1980)

(L to R) Natalie Ogle as Lydia Bennet, Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth Bennet, and Sabina Franklyn as Jane Bennet on 'Pride and Prejudice'.

It's hard to believe it's been 46 years since the BBC's *Pride and Prejudice *1980 miniseries first aired… time flies.

In EW's ranking of the best Austen adaptations, readers commended Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul for their "compelling" performances as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. They also highlighted the show's humor, particularly from Mr. Collins (Malcolm Rennie) and Mrs. Bennet (Priscilla Morgan).

Where to watch *Pride and Prejudice *(1980): Tubi

**Director**: Cyril Coke

**Cast**: Elizabeth Garvie, David Rintoul, Priscilla Morgan, Sabina Franklyn, Natalie Ogle, Moray Watson, Peter Settelen, Osmund Bullock

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet on 'Pride and Prejudice'.

A&E Television Networks/BBC

The 1995 BBC miniseries is a fan favorite, and for good reason. Giving Austen's novel proper room to breathe across six hours, EW's writer deemed this "the gold standard for faithful adaptations." Plus, it catapulted Colin Firth to heartthrob status (that wet white shirt is practically as famous as the Oscar-winner himself).

Where to watch *Pride and Prejudice *(1995): Hulu and Disney+

**Director**: Simon Langton

**Cast**: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow, Adrian Lukis, Susannah Harker, Julia Sawalha, David Bamber

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Alex Bailey/Focus Features

When it comes to the fan-favorite *Pride and Prejudice *movie, this one definitely takes the crown. Starring Keira Knightley (who earned an Oscar nomination) and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, it's an iconic adaptation that's only gotten better with time.

And even after 20 years, Mr. Darcy's hand flex still sends audiences into a frenzy. According to director Joe Wright, the *Succession *star deserves all the credit for getting it in the film.

"It wasn't in the script, but that was an important moment in the book," Wright said. "This sudden realization, as they were parting, of what they meant to each other, or the kind of disturbance they caused in each other."

Where to watch *Pride & Prejudice *(2005): Peacock

**Director**: Joe Wright

**Cast**: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Hollander, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Judi Dench

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