Revisiting Austen: First Impressions of Netflix's Pride and Prejudice Trailer
By Emma Smith
Pride and Prejudice book page - Unsplash
There is perhaps no Jane Austen novel more beloved or more frequently adapted, than 'Pride and Prejudice’. The trailer for Netflix’s upcoming adaptation was released on the 28th of October, offering viewers our first glimpse of the novel reimagined for a new audience. Written by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) and directed by Euros Lyn (Heartstopper, Doctor Who), the six-part series stars Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, alongside Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet, Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet, Freya Mavor as Jane Bennet, Rhea Norwood as Lydia Bennet, Louis Partridge as Wickham, Jaime Demetriou as Mr Collins and Fiona Shaw as Lady Catherine De Bourgh. The series is set to premiere this winter on the 3rd of December.
Having finally seen what Netflix has in store, there are already a few things that have caught my attention, both in terms of what looks promising and what remains to be seen.
What stands out to me first is how warm the colours and the overall settings look. The golden lighting, sweeping countryside landscapes and the beautifully detailed Longbourn show us a word that feels both picturesque but also lived in. Particular emphasis is given to the Bennet family home and the family itself in this trailer with the opening featuring a conversation between Elizabeth and Jane and other scenes featuring all the sisters talking and having fun together seems to hint at there being a stronger sense of family in this version compared to other iterations (though the 2005 version is close to this in a more contemplative way).
The casting is looking incredibly promising. Olivia Colman especially stands out in this preview with her performance already showing us she’s going to portray this shrill character perfectly. Jaime Demetriou’ Mr Collins too already captures that weaselly, fumbling appearance of him and will be bound to provide some welcome comic relief. Meanwhile, though brief, the exchanges we see between Elizabeth and Darcy seem to capture the initial frosty dynamic between them at the start. It is difficult to judge now, but it does appear that Lowden’s interpretation may be closer in tone to Colin Firth’s overtly proud portrayal in the renowned 1995 BBC series than Matthew Macfadyen’s more socially awkward interpretation from the 2005 film. It will be interesting to see if this develops into a more book-accurate portrayal or whether Lowden takes the character in a different direction.
However, with so many adaptations already, is another ‘Pride and Prejudice’ necessary?
The 1995 series is often regarded as the ‘holy grail’ of adaptations for its characterisation and faithfulness to the novel, whilst the 2005 film is more introspective and emotional in its atmosphere and visual storytelling. Both have their own strengths but neither must define what every adaptation must be like.
In my opinion, I enjoy seeing how different versions portray the original story in their own way whether that’s reinterpreting certain things or broadening other characters, which is what I’m looking forward to with this version. With six episodes, Netflix can explore the Bennet sisters individually, develop their relationships and examine their transitions from girlhood to womanhood beyond Elizabeth’s central romance arc.
Ultimately, we don’t need another ‘Pride and Prejudice’, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want one. I’d rather watch and see how a well-known story can be made into something unique rather than just repeat what worked before. For now, the trailer has certainly got me curious for the rest of it.