Few fictional men have caused as many historical hot flushes as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and with his smouldering stares and emotional intensity, remains the original grumpy-hot heartthrob we can’t get enough of.
Jane Austen may have written him into history as a man whose pride threatened to destroy both his and Elizabeth Bennet’s prospects of happiness, but his dark broodiness and penchant for fervent longing has, nonetheless, inspired countless adaptations, and, frankly, more than a few delusions about what emotional unavailability looks like in a romantic partner.
Now, two new Darcys are primed to enter the cultural fray. Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has been cast as the yearning bachelor in Netflix’s upcoming Pride & Prejudice adaptation, penned by Everything I Know About Love author Dolly Alderton. Meanwhile, Babygirl star and internet boyfriend Harris Dickinson will voice the alluring aristocrat in a new Audible original alongside Industry‘s Marisa Abela as Elizabeth Bennet.
Naturally, when it comes to romance tropes, it’s hard to beat the enemies to lovers storyline, and it’s through this tantalising promise that Mr. Darcy continues to bewitched us body and soul, to this day.
Before the fresh Fitzwilliam’s compete for a place on the Darcy power rankings, let’s take a fond look back through all the Mr. Darcys brought to life across the years. From soaked-through shirts to stiff cravats, these versions will always have a place in the minds and memories (not always for the better) of Austen lovers everywhere.
Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1940)
We’ll start with the version most likely to elicit a raised eyebrow (or two) from Austen herself: Laurence Olivier’s Darcy was the first major on-screen iteration, and perhaps the least accurate. Set in the wrong century (don’t get us started on the bonnets that screamed Marie Antoinette cosplay), this 1940 Hollywood adaptation dialled up the charm to a borderline offensive level and downplayed the essential brooding. Olivier’s Darcy is… nice? But if there’s one thing Mr. Darcy is not, it’s nice.
Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in Pride & Prejudice (1995)
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that when it comes to Pride & Prejudice, there are two cultural camps: You’re either firmly Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC series, or a staunch Matthew Macfadyen supporter from the 2005 film. For us, it’s hard to argue against Colin Firth’s Darcy as the blueprint.
With simmering tension, perfect disdain, and that pond scene, he turned a Regency misanthrope into a global sex symbol and then some. His chemistry with Jennifer Ehle’s Lizzy still sizzles to this day and his delivery of “You must allow me to tell you…how ardently I admire and love you,” remains undefeated
Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Matthew Macfadyen’s Darcy is the cinematic equivalent of an emotional support blanket for Austen fans around the world – even with his mullet. With Keira Knightley’s Lizzy cast as his perfect match, this Mr. Darcy is softer, more dynamic, and devastatingly adept at the most meaningful of micro-expressions.
The final proposal scene, replete with rolling mist thick with off-the-charts chemistry, is Regency romance perfection, but what truly bewitched us body and soul, and subsequently cemented Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy as a forever favourite? The hand flex that inspired a thousand Tumblr gifs and dreams of one day being the next mistress of Pemberley.
Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice (2026)
We might only have casting vibes to go off here, but Jack Lowden is already serving some serious Darcy potential. Whether in Slow Horses or Mary Queen of Scots, he radiates the kind of dark-and-distant allure and wit that makes for a compelling period love interest. And, with Dolly Alderton writing, we suspect this Mr. Darcy might be just have what it takes to take up the coveted mantel.
“I quite like the idea of being a ginger Darcy,” he told the BBC after news of the casting first broke. “I think that is really breaking down barriers – one of the great last barriers to be broken down.”
“I quite like the idea of me coming along and doing something else with it,” he continued, before teasing: “Or just copying one of them because some of the guys who played it are amongst the best. Matthew Macfadyen, to me, is one of the best actors on the planet. So if I just try copy him – maybe that’s alright?” And if that’s not the kind of energy that a modern day Darcy is brining to set – then we don’t want it!
Harris Dickinson as Mr. Darcy in Audible’s Pride & Prejudice (2025)
Another one for the conjecture pile as the Audible adaptation of Pride & Prejudice isn’t due to be released until September 9, but based on early teasers and Dickinson’s natural charm, this could be a Darcy for the ages. Known for emotionally complex roles and unexpected vulnerability (Triangle of Sadness, Beach Rats, Babygirl), Dickinson’s voice performance promises to balance steely restraint with the electricity needed to engage a modern audience.
Martin Henderson as Will Darcy in Bride and Prejudice (2004)
Martin Henderson – aka William “Will” Darcy – in the Bollywood version of Austen’s literary classic did his best to beat the critics, but unfortunately, wasn’t able to. From the complete lack of chemistry offered to the performative longing, this Mr. Darcy is about as close to the mark as Mr Collins was to securing Lizzie’s love and affection.
Related articles:
- Austen Lovers, This Is the Ultimate Pride & Prejudice Stay
- Meet The Cast Of Dolly Alderton’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’
- Sorry Ladies, But A Study Shows That Mr Darcy Wasn’t Actually A Hunk
