Austen Fans Lack Confidence In Netflix’s Remake of ‘Pride and Prejudice’

Fans of English author Jane Austen are not thrilled by Netflix’s adaptation of her most beloved novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

The streaming platform released a 55-second trailer of the six-part series starring actress Emma Corin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy. The scene opens with Elizabeth seated on what appears to be a rooftop. She is snapped out of her dreamy state by the sound of running hoofs, as she turns with an anticipatory half-smile to Darcy, who appears on horseback.

The film’s aesthetic indicates that screenwriter Dolly Alderton was inspired by the 2005 film starring Kiera Knightley, which fans of Austen loved the colouring and general atmosphere, but were not enthusiastic about some of the actors’ interpretation of the characters, compared to the 1995 BBC six-part series, which stayed faithful to Austen’s work.

Comments from the book’s fans range from critiques of the actors to the trailer’s aesthetics and general outlook.

“The last thing Netflix has any business making,” @juliajuleczka9621

“This looks like a Temu version of the 2005 version,” @waystarroyconina

“Oh, good. I was worried we could not get the 50th adaptation of this story,” @Draven_X_23

“Netflix, I will come for you if you mess this up like you did Persuasion,” @danishson97

“My all-time favourite is the 1995 version. Nothing can beat that in my mind. But I will still watch this one,” @deetCA

“Lizzy sitting on a roof? A very ordinary-looking Mr Darcy? No, thanks,” @gailfinke7015

However, some people are intent on giving the series an adaptation a chance.

“Well, I believe they were quite ordinary in the novel. The Kiera Knightley version was funny cause Elizabeth was supposed to be less beautiful than her older sister,” @megem616

“There have been 17 TV and movie adaptations of this novel. So many, many Lizzies and Mr Darcys. We all have our favourites,” @veemc7548

“It looks good so far, but I hope it is true to the book, not like their travesty of Persuasion,” @susandymock769

“I liked Persuasion. Anachronisms and 4th-wall-breaking are stylistic choices, and it’s okay by me. I also love the 1995 version for all the purists,” @DeborahHMarks

Set for a 2026 release, the streaming platform is yet to clinch a release date. The series stars Emma Corin, Jack Lowden, Olivia Colman, Rufus Sewell, Louis Patridge, Jamie Demetriou, Fiona Shaw and Daryl McCormack.