It is 1995. The BBC decides to take another crack at Jane Austen’s most famous novel. At the time, nobody expected a six-part miniseries to become a global obsession, let alone launch a phenomenon colloquially known as "Darcymania." But when you look at the cast of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth, you realize that lightning didn’t just strike once—it hit every single frame of the production.
Honestly, the casting was a bit of a gamble. You've got actors who were relatively unknown and veterans who were perhaps a bit too "theatrical" for television. Yet, thirty years later, this version remains the gold standard.
The Darcy Dilemma: Why Colin Firth Almost Said No
Can you imagine anyone else in that wet linen shirt? It’s hard. But Colin Firth was actually terrified of the role. He didn't think he was right for it. In fact, he turned it down for weeks. He famously told producer Sue Birtwistle that he wasn't interested because he thought Austen was "girlie stuff."
That’s hilarious in hindsight.
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Firth felt Darcy was too big of a figure to live up to. He even had an aunt who begged him not to take the part because she didn't want him ruining her childhood crush. Eventually, the script by Andrew Davies won him over. Davies added scenes that weren't in the book—fencing, riding, and that infamous lake swim—to show Darcy’s internal turmoil through physical action. It worked. Firth’s portrayal of a man who is "emotionally constipated" (his words, not mine) but deeply passionate changed his career forever.
He didn't just play a romantic lead; he created a prototype. Even his later role as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary was a direct nod to this performance.
Jennifer Ehle and the Perfect Elizabeth Bennet
If Firth was the brooding soul of the show, Jennifer Ehle was its heart. Casting an American-born actress to play the quintessential English heroine was a choice. But Ehle, then 25, brought a specific kind of wit to Lizzy. She has this way of smirking at Darcy that makes the chemistry feel dangerous.
- Fact: Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth actually started a real-life romance during filming.
- The Look: Many fans noticed her eyes always seemed to sparkle. That wasn't just acting—there was genuine "off-screen" energy happening.
- The Award: She took home a BAFTA for Best Actress, and rightfully so.
Some critics at the time called her "too zaftig" (a ridiculous critique), but most viewers found her intelligence and warmth far more compelling than the "willow-thin" portrayals we often see today. She was the only actor present for the entire 100-day shooting schedule.
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The Bennet Family Chaos
The supporting cast of Pride and Prejudice is where the show finds its comedy. It’s a masterclass in character acting.
Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet is, frankly, exhausting. And that’s the point. She was offered the role without even auditioning because the producers knew she could handle the "nervous complaints." Then you have Benjamin Whitrow as Mr. Bennet. He played the part with such dry, cynical wit that he earned a BAFTA nomination. He’s the perfect foil to the screeching madness of his wife.
Then there are the sisters. They were specifically cast to look and act completely different from one another:
- Jane Bennet (Susannah Harker): She played the "beautiful" sister, which is funny because her own mother had played Jane in a 1960s version. Talk about a family legacy.
- Lydia Bennet (Julia Sawalha): Sawalha was actually 10 years older than her character. She was 25 playing 15, but her energy was so chaotic you never noticed the age gap.
- Mary Bennet (Lucy Briers): Briers went all-in on the "plain" sister. She practiced the piano poorly and kept her face in a permanent state of moral disapproval.
- Kitty Bennet (Polly Maberly): Often overshadowed, but Maberly nailed the "follower" dynamic perfectly.
The Villains and the Fools
You can't talk about the cast without mentioning David Bamber as Mr. Collins. His performance is oily. It’s unctuous. It’s arguably the most uncomfortable thing ever put on television. Every time he bows, you want to look away.
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Then there’s Adrian Lukis as Mr. Wickham. He had the tough job of being charming enough to fool Lizzy but slimy enough for the audience to eventually hate him. Interestingly, Lukis actually reprised his role in 2019 for a one-man play called Being Mr. Wickham. He’s still living with that character thirty years later.
And we have to mention Anna Chancellor as Caroline Bingley. Her "haughty" walk is legendary. Fun fact: she’s actually a distant relative of Jane Austen herself.
Where Are They Now? 2026 Update
Most of the cast went on to massive things. Colin Firth eventually won his Oscar for The King's Speech, where he actually reunited with Jennifer Ehle.
- Emilia Fox (Georgiana Darcy): She has been the face of Silent Witness for nearly two decades now.
- Lucy Davis (Maria Lucas): You might recognize her as Dawn from the original UK The Office or Aunt Hilda in Sabrina.
- Crispin Bonham-Carter (Mr. Bingley): He eventually left acting to become a teacher. He’s now a prominent educator in London.
- Benjamin Whitrow: Sadly passed away in 2017 at the age of 80, leaving behind one of the most beloved portrayals of a father in TV history.
Why This Version Still Wins
People often compare this to the 2005 Keira Knightley movie. The movie is pretty, sure. But the 1995 miniseries has the luxury of time. Six hours allows the "slow reveal" that Firth talked about. It lets the social pressures of the Regency era breathe.
The production didn't use artificial lighting; they shot in natural light to avoid that "plastic" period drama look. They made 160 custom costumes. They even made the actresses wear stays that "lifted and separated" in a historically accurate (if uncomfortable) way.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Austen, your next move should be to check out the "Making of Pride and Prejudice" book by Sue Birtwistle. It’s filled with the actual letters and production notes that explain how they turned a "girlie" book into a cultural juggernaut. Alternatively, watch the 1995 series again, but this time, pay attention to Mary Bennet in the background of the ball scenes. Her facial expressions are a whole separate show.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Remastered 4K Version: The BBC released a high-definition restoration that makes the Pemberley landscapes look incredible.
- Read the Script: Look for Andrew Davies’ published screenplay to see how he added those "masculine" scenes for Firth.
- Visit the Locations: Lyme Park in Cheshire is the real-life Pemberley. You can actually walk where the "lake scene" happened.