Listen, if you’re a die hard Austen fan like me, this one’s going to hit different. Pride and Prejudice is getting a brand new screen adaptation, and not just any adaptation, Netflix is giving it the six episode limited series treatment, with a cast so good it might actually make you drop your dog eared 1813 copy and finally give streaming your full attention.

And y’all, let me just go ahead and say it now. Rufus Sewell is Mr. Bennet. Yes. Rufus. Sewell. Let that sink in before you pass out in your empire waist dress. I have loved this man since Dangerous Beauty and Hamlet. He is my forever broody, dreamy period piece crush, and the fact that he’s now the weary, wry patriarch of the Bennet girls? It’s like the Netflix gods read my diary.

Let’s break it down because this series is shaping up to be an absolute event for Austen-ites everywhere. Here’s what we know, what we’re drooling over, and why this might end up being one of the best adaptations we’ve seen in years.

What’s the Plan?

Netflix is producing a six episode limited series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, currently filming in the UK as of late July 2025. No official release date yet, but with production already underway, it’s safe to bet we’ll see it drop sometime in 2026. The creative team behind it is stacked.

Dolly Alderton, yes, the bestselling author of Everything I Know About Love, is adapting the script. She’s also serving as executive producer, and she’s made it clear that this isn’t just about regency bonnets and swooning. She’s calling this story “the blueprint of romantic comedy”, and she’s aiming to bring out the drama, the emotional intelligence, the biting wit, and the deep romantic tension that Jane Austen gave us in the first place.

Directing the series is Euros Lyn, who you may know from Heartstopper and Doctor Who. Between the two of them, I expect something emotionally charged, visually rich, and deeply human. It sounds like they’re committed to honoring the original while making it feel relevant for new audiences without stripping it of its soul.

The Cast: A Little Bit Classic, A Little Bit Modern

Now let’s get into this cast, because it’s one of the most exciting things about this production.

Emma Corrin will star as Elizabeth Bennet. If you saw their performance as Princess Diana in The Crown, then you already know they have the depth, poise, and quiet fire Lizzie needs. Corrin is also executive producing, so this role is clearly something they’re invested in on every level.

Jack Lowden takes on the role of Mr. Darcy. You might recognize him from Slow Horses or Dunkirk. He’s got that simmering energy and restrained intensity that could make for a really compelling Darcy, especially if they lean into the awkward, misunderstood side of him.

Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet might be the most perfect casting on the list. You know her from The Favourite, The Crown, and pretty much everything British and brilliant. She’s funny, she’s smart, she’s got impeccable timing, and I can already hear her shrieking about Netherfield being let at last.

Rounding out the Bennet sisters:

Freya Mavor (Skins) as Jane

Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper) as Lydia

Hopey Parish as Mary (in her debut role)

Hollie Avery as Kitty (also a debut)

The male supporting cast is equally on point:

Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters, Peaky Blinders) as Mr. Bingley

Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes, The Lost Girls) as Mr. Wickham

Jamie Demetriou (Stath Lets Flats, The Afterparty) as the ever-cringeworthy Mr. Collins

Siena Kelly (Adult Material, Domina) as Caroline Bingley

Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve, Harry Potter) as Lady Catherine de Bourgh

There are even more names fleshing out the world, including Anjana Vasan, Sebastian Armesto, Rosie Cavaliero, Fiona Button, and James Northcote, among others. It’s a powerhouse lineup filled with familiar faces and rising stars.

The Rufus Sewell Appreciation Corner

Let’s take a second for Rufus.

This man has been in the period drama trenches for decades. You probably remember him as the smoldering Marco in Dangerous Beauty, the tormented Count in The Illusionist, or the jaded ex in The Holiday. The way he brings complexity and emotional gravity to every role? It’s masterful.

In this series, Rufus plays Mr. Bennet, and I can’t think of anyone better to deliver those deadpan one liners, the subtle frustration, the quiet protectiveness, and that signature blend of weary wit and fatherly fondness. I already know he’s going to steal every scene he’s in. And you better believe I’m framing a still from his first appearance as my new screensaver.

This is a man who can smirk with Shakespearean menace or melt you with a look. The Bennet girls are in good hands, and so are we.

Why It Matters

There have been many Pride and Prejudice adaptations, and I’ve loved most of them. I still rewatch the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth, and the 2005 film with Keira Knightley is a cinematic comfort blanket. But this one feels different.

It feels like it’s being made by people who love the story the way we do. People who understand that it’s not just a love story, it’s a study in character, class, power, and self awareness. The comedy, the tension, the ache. And they’re bringing it to life with actors who can actually deliver all of that nuance, plus a team that knows how to keep it relevant without cheapening it.

There’s a lot of Austen in the air right now, and it’s not a coincidence. As society shifts, people are turning back to stories that center agency, intelligence, and romantic tension that comes from mutual respect, not always dominance. That’s what Austen gave us. And if Netflix nails it, this adaptation might just become the new gold standard.

What’s Next

Filming is underway in the UK. There’s no official release date yet, but given the timeline, I’d guess late 2026 at the earliest. And when it drops? You’ll find me with tea in hand, tissues ready, and my review notebook out. I’ll be breaking down every glance, every insult, and every emotionally charged dance.

Because this isn’t just entertainment. For us Austen folks, it’s practically spiritual.

Stay tuned. More updates, sneak peeks, character breakdowns, and full blown fangirling to come.

🫶🏼 — Ali