TV SERIES · 1995–1995 · CANADA
Pride and Prejudice
- Created by
- Andrew Davies
- Network
- BBC One
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 6
- Studio
- BBC
154 archived facts 8 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Set in England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters after the rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with the second-eldest…
154 Interesting Facts About Pride and Prejudice
Interesting Facts (38)
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Mr. Darcy's income of 10,000 pounds per year in 1813 (the year the novel was written) would be the 2022 equivalent of 484,000 pounds. Because the dollar/pound exchange rate in 1813 was 3.75/1, that would make his present-day income $1.85 million. Bingley's income would be half that, or $925,000, and Mr. Bennet's about $370,000.
- #010
Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennet) is an American. She was born in North Carolina to John Ehle, born in Asheville, North Carolina, of German and English ancestry, and well known English actress Rosemary Harris, born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. Jennifer was educated, and has lived both in the USA and England throughout her life.
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Mr Darcy's annual income of 10,000 pounds in 1813 (the year the novel was written) would be equivalent to 484,000 pounds in 2022. Since the dollar/pound exchange rate in 1813 was 3.75 to 1, his income today would be 1.85 million dollars. Bingley's income was half that, or 925,000 dollars, while Mr Bennet's was around 370,000 dollars.
- #019
Jennifer Ehle, who played Elizabeth Bennet, is American. She was born in Asheville, North Carolina, to John Ehle, of German and English descent, and the well-known English actress Rosemary Harris, who was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. Jennifer was educated and has lived in both the US and England throughout her life.
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In an interview conducted 15 years after the series was made, screenwriter Andrew Davies said that at the moment Darcy sees Elizabeth in the mud and blushes on his walk to Netherfield to see Jane, he wrote the stage direction in the script as: "This is the moment when Darcy suddenly realises he fancies Elizabeth enormously and finds himself, to his surprise, on the verge of an erection." He said he wrote it to make people laugh, but also "so that Colin would choose to play it as the moment when he is extremely aroused and has to act on it."
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The green-striped velvet dress with a Spencer jacket that Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) wears at Netherfield Hall is the same costume worn by Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot) at Kellynch Hall in Persuasion (2007), by Vicki Pepperdine (Ann Dobbin) in the park scenes of Vanity Fair (1998), and by Annabella Milbanke at the London party where she meets Byron in Byron (2003). The Spencer also appears without the striped dress in Little Dorrit (2008), worn by Emma Pierson as Fanny Dorrit.
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Production Story (39)
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The most famous moment of the series, the lake scene, was not part of Jane Austen's novel. Andrew Davies wrote the scene not because he wanted a sexual connection between Elizabeth and Darcy but to create "an amusing moment in which Darcy tries to maintain his dignity while improperly dressed and sopping wet."
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Casting the role of Darcy's young sister, Georgiana, proved hard as the producers were looking for a young actress who appeared innocent, proud and yet shy, had class and could also play the piano. After auditioning over 70 actresses, Simon Langton suggested Emilia Fox, the real-life daughter of Joanna David (Mrs Gardiner), for the part.
- #044
Pride and Prejudice (1995) is a six-episode British television drama, adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's 1813 novel of the same name. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, respectively. Produced by Sue Birtwistle and directed by Simon Langton, the serial was a BBC production with additional funding from the American A&E Network.
- #045
In an interview 15 years after the making of this series, screenwriter Andrew Davies said that at the moment that Darcy sees Elizabeth muddy and flushed from walking to Netherfield to see Jane, Davies wrote in the screenplay the stage direction that "this is the moment when Darcy suddenly realizes that he fancies Elizabeth very much and to his surprise he finds that he's got an erection." He said that he wrote this to make people laugh but also "for Colin to choose this as the moment when he's just got to act, being tremendously turned on."
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Sue Birtwistle particularly wanted Colin Firth, a relatively unknown British actor in his mid-30s at the time, to play the wealthy and aloof Mr. Darcy. Birtwistle had worked with him on the mid-1980s comedy film Dutch Girls (1985), but he repeatedly turned down her offer as he neither felt attracted to Austen's feminine perspective nor believed himself to be right for the role. Birtwistle's persistent coaxing and his deeper looks into the Darcy character finally convinced him to accept the role.
- #047
The lake scene, the series' most unforgettable moment, did not appear in Jane Austen's novel. Andrew Davies wrote it not to establish a sexual connection between Elizabeth and Darcy, but to create 'a fun moment in which Darcy, improperly dressed and soaked to the skin, tries to preserve his dignity.'
- #048
In an interview given 15 years after the series was made, screenwriter Andrew Davies said that for the moment when Darcy, walking to Netherfield to see Jane, is seen by Elizabeth muddy and flushed, he wrote a scene direction in the script along the lines of 'this is the moment Darcy realizes he likes Elizabeth and, in his surprise, notices he has an erection.' He stated that he wrote it to make people laugh, and also 'so that Colin would choose this moment and play it as extremely aroused.'
- #049
Pride and Prejudice (1995) is a six-part British television drama adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's 1813 novel of the same name. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, respectively. Produced by Sue Birtwistle and directed by Simon Langton, the series is a BBC production with additional financing from the American A&E Network.
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The green striped dress and velvet Spencer jacket that Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) wears at Netherfield Hall are the same costume worn by Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot) at Kellynch Hall, by Vicki Pepperdine (Ann Dobbin) in the park scenes of Vanity Fair, and by an extra at the London party in the film Byron where Annabella Milbanke meets Byron. The Spencer jacket was also worn by Emma Pierson as Fanny Dorrit in Little Dorrit.
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The black silk dress worn by Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine de Bourgh), woven with vertical red, orange and blue stripes, is the same costume worn by Rosemary Enright at the dinner party in The Regency House Party and by an extra in the Pump Room scene in Persuasion where Anne speaks with Mr. Elliot.
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The black Spencer jacket with floral embroidery on the collar and sleeves worn by an extra at the wedding is the same costume worn by Jackie Smith-Wood (Mary Crawford) while walking with Fanny in Mansfield Park, by Natasha Little (Augusta Leigh) when she visits Byron at his London apartment in Byron, and by an extra in the scene where the Dashwoods arrive in London in Sense & Sensibility.
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For the role of Darcy's young sister Georgiana, they were looking for a young actress who was innocent, proud but shy, classy and able to play the piano. After more than 70 actresses were auditioned, Simon Langton suggested Emilia Fox, who in real life is the daughter of Joanna David (Mrs Gardiner).
- #060
Sue Birtwistle specifically wanted the then little-known English actor Colin Firth, in his mid-thirties, for the role of the rich and aloof Mr. Darcy. Birtwistle had worked with him in the mid-1980s on the comedy film Dutch Girls (1985), but Firth repeatedly turned down the offer because he was not interested in Austen's feminine perspective and felt he was not right for the role. He accepted the role after Birtwistle's persistent persuasion and a deeper study of the character of Darcy.
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Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet) is American. She was born in North Carolina; her father, John Ehle, was born in North Carolina and is of German and English descent, while her mother is the famous English actress Rosemary Harris, born in Leicestershire. Jennifer was educated and lived in both the US and the UK throughout her life.
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The lake scene, the series' most unforgettable moment, did not appear in Jane Austen's novel. Andrew Davies wrote it not to establish a sexual connection between Elizabeth and Darcy, but to create 'a fun moment in which Darcy tries to maintain his dignity while improperly dressed and soaked to the skin'.
- #071
In an interview given 15 years after the series was made, screenwriter Andrew Davies said that for the moment when Darcy sees Elizabeth muddy and flushed while walking to Netherfield to see Jane, he wrote a scene direction in the script along the lines of 'the moment Darcy realises he likes Elizabeth and, in his surprise, realises he has an erection'. He stated that he wrote it to make people laugh, and also 'so that Colin would pick that moment and play it as extremely aroused'.
- #072
Pride and Prejudice (1995) is a six-part British television drama adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's 1813 novel of the same name. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy respectively. Produced by Sue Birtwistle and directed by Simon Langton, the series is a BBC production with additional funding from the American A&E Network.
- #073
Mr. Darcy's annual income of 10,000 pounds in 1813, the year the novel was written, is equivalent to 484,000 pounds in 2022. Since the dollar/pound exchange rate in 1813 was 3.75/1, his income today amounts to 1.85 million dollars. Bingley's income is half that, or 925,000 dollars, while Mr. Bennet's is around 370,000 dollars.
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Behind the Scenes (20)
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The black silk dress with red, orange, and blue vertical lines woven into the fabric worn by Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine de Bourgh) is the same costume worn to dinner by Rosemary Enright in The Regency House Party (2004); and by an extra in the Pump Room when Anne talks with Mr. Elliot in Persuasion (2007).
- #081
The green striped gown with velvet Spencer jacket Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) wears at Netherfield Hall is the same costume worn by Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot) at Kellynch Hall in Persuasion (2007), Vicki Pepperdine (Ann Dobbin) in the park scenes in Vanity Fair (1998), and an extra at the London party where Annabella Milbanke meets Byron in Byron (2003). The Spencer also appears, without the striped gown, in Little Dorrit (2008), worn by Emma Pierson as Fanny Dorrit.
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The green pelisse with ribbon trim down the middle of the front and back that Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) wears when she visits Jane Bennet on Gracechurch Street is the same costume worn by a guest at the London Salon in Byron (2003), and by Alex Kingston (Mrs. Bennet) in the coach en route to the Netherfield Ball in Lost in Austen (2008).
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The black Spencer with flowers embroidered on the collar and sleeves worn by an extra at the wedding is the same costume worn by Jackie Smith-Wood (Mary Crawford) to walk with Fanny in Mansfield Park (1983), by Natasha Little (Augusta Leigh) to visit Byron at his London apartment in Byron (2003), and by an extra in the London street when the Dashwoods arrive in London in Sense & Sensibility (2008).
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The green striped dress and velvet Spencer jacket worn by Anna Chancellor (Caroline Bingley) at Netherfield Hall are the same costume worn by Julia Davis (Elizabeth Elliot) at Kellynch Hall, by Vicki Pepperdine (Ann Dobbin) in the park scenes of Vanity Fair, and by an extra at the London party in the film Byron where Annabella Milbanke meets Byron. The Spencer jacket was also worn by Emma Pierson as Fanny Dorrit in Little Dorrit.
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The black silk dress worn by Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine de Bourgh), woven with vertical red, orange and blue stripes, is the same costume worn by Rosemary Enright at dinner in The Regency House Party and by an extra in the Pump Room scene in Persuasion where Anne speaks with Mr. Elliot.
- #097
The black Spencer jacket with floral embroidery on the collar and sleeves worn by an extra at the wedding is the same costume worn by Jackie Smith-Wood (Mary Crawford) while walking with Fanny in Mansfield Park, by Natasha Little (Augusta Leigh) when she visits Byron at his London apartment in Byron, and by an extra in the scene in Sense & Sensibility where the Dashwoods arrive in London.
Characters & Cast (38)
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Casting Georgiana, Darcy's younger sister, proved difficult, as the producers were looking for a young actress who seemed innocent, proud yet shy, had class and could also play the piano. After more than 70 actresses auditioned, Simon Langton suggested Emilia Fox, the real-life daughter of Joanna David (Mrs Gardiner), for the role.
- #103
Sue Birtwistle specifically wanted Colin Firth, then a relatively unknown British actor in his mid-thirties, to play the wealthy and aloof Mr Darcy. Birtwistle had worked with him on the mid-1980s comedy film Dutch Girls (1985), but he repeatedly turned down her offer, feeling he was neither drawn to Austen's feminine perspective nor suited to the role. Birtwistle's persistent persuasion and her deeper reading of the Darcy character eventually convinced him to accept.
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For the role of Darcy's young sister Georgiana, a young actress was sought who was innocent, proud but shy, classy and able to play the piano. After more than 70 actresses were auditioned, Simon Langton suggested Emilia Fox, who in real life is the daughter of Joanna David (Mrs Gardiner).
- #111
Sue Birtwistle specifically wanted the then little-known English actor Colin Firth, in his mid-30s, for the role of the wealthy and aloof Mr. Darcy. Birtwistle had worked with him in the mid-1980s on the comedy film Dutch Girls (1985), but Firth repeatedly turned down the offer because he was not interested in Austen's feminine perspective and thought he was not right for the role. He accepted the role as a result of Birtwistle's persistent persuasion and his deeper examination of the character of Darcy.
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Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet) is American. She was born in North Carolina; her father, John Ehle, was born in North Carolina and is of German and English descent; her mother is the famous English actress Rosemary Harris, born in Leicestershire. Jennifer was educated and lived in both the US and England throughout her life.
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Mr. Darcy's annual income of 10,000 pounds in 1813, when the novel was written, is equivalent to 484,000 pounds in 2022. Since the dollar/pound exchange rate in 1813 was 3.75/1, his income today would amount to 1.85 million dollars. Bingley's income is half that, or 925,000 dollars, while Mr. Bennet's is approximately 370,000 dollars.
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Easter Eggs & References (4)
Deeper Meaning (2)
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Mr. Darcy's income of 10,000 pounds per year in 1813, the year the novel was written, would be the 2022 equivalent of 484,000 pounds. Because the dollar/pound exchange rate in 1813 was 3.75/1, that would make his present-day income $1.85 million. Bingley's income would be half that, or $925,000, and Mr. Bennet's about $370,000.
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Popularly considered an archetype of the "Regency romance" drama, the novel "Pride and Prejudice" was actually first completed when author Jane Austen was 21, in 1797 - NOT during the Regency (1811-1819), the period in which most publishers stipulate a Regency romance novel should be set. Many of the sociological and cultural themes well known in the novel are firmly grounded in the 1790s (as the author admits on the frontispiece of her 1798 novel "Northanger Abbey" in the edition of about 1816).
Career & Awards (7)
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Pride and Prejudice (1995) received positive reviews from critics and was a popular success, and it was honoured with numerous awards, including a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for Jennifer Ehle and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special.
Life & Family (6)
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Jennifer Ehle, who played Elizabeth Bennet, is an American. She was born in North Carolina to John Ehle, born in Asheville, North Carolina, of German and English ancestry, and well-known English actress Rosemary Harris, born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England. Jennifer was educated, and has lived both in the USA and England throughout her life.
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Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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