I had begun to hear reports about new adaptations of Pride and Prejudice... Not direct adaptations, but... maybe spin-off is another word for it? I heard about two new spin-off movies coming out: one is about the staff at Longbourn during the events of Pride and Prejudice (trying to come off of the success of Downton Abbey, perhaps?) and another that would be an adaptation to the P&P sequel
Death Comes to Pemberley. And then yesterday, I happened upon this article...
Will Dan move from Downton to Pemberley?
Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of the most famous romantic heroes in English literature, is making a comeback. The BBC will air an adaptation of the PD James novel Death Comes To Pemberley (a "sequel" to Pride And Prejudice), which sees Darcy and Elizabeth six years after their marriage and with two children.
It could also see a return to another period hunk, Dan Stevens, who may step into the role made famous in recent times by Colin Firth. According to yesterday's Sunday Times, Stevens is "a front-runner" to land the part...
Read More (But Beware of Downton Abbey Spoilers)
Now, y'all know how I'm a fan of Downton Abbey. Y'all know how Matthew Crawley is one of my favorite characters on the show. And y'all know how I thought Dan Stevens was the better Edward Ferrars in the 2008 Sense and Sensibility compared to Hugh Grant's in the 1995 Sense and Sensibility. So, y'all can assume that as an actor, I like Dan Stevens and I think that he's talented. (And I've said y'all more times in this paragraph than I usually do). Spoiler I still don't think he's making the right decision by leaving Downton (honestly, I'd be surprised if it lasts much longer), but overall, I like him. End of Spoiler
But Dan Stevens as Mr. Darcy? No. I don't think so.
Besides the fact that I think Colin Firth is the perfect Mr. Darcy and that there can never be a Mr. Darcy like him ever, I don't think that he has the Darcy pride in his persona. Sure, Matthew Crawley had pride in Downton, and he had stubbornness in Downton: two characteristics that him and Mr. Darcy share to be sure. But Mr. Darcy I would say was "haughty" towards the beginning of Pride and Prejudice, which isn't something that Matthew Crawley was.
Now, let's look at the definition of "haughty", shall we?
adjective, haugh·ti·er, haugh·ti·est.
1.
disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious: haughty aristocrats; a haughty sales clerk.
2.
Archaic. lofty or noble; exalted.
Source
Looking at that definition, those words could be used to describe Mr. Darcy towards the beginning of Pride and Prejudice. He was snobbish and scornfully arrogant (remember how everyone in Meryton was disgusted with his pride). With Matthew, while he was proud and maybe a little arrogant towards the beginning of Downton Abbey, he was a) more pardonable and b) wasn't lofty (he didn't want to become aristocratic). Now, you could make the argument that by the end of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy's pride was softened, but still, there's that something in his character, that I don't think Dan Stevens has. And as for Dan Stevens's Edward Ferrars, that's in completely the other direction from both Mr. Darcy and Matthew Crawley.
But then, I could be wrong and he may do a decent job as Mr. Darcy (though I'll still insist not as good as Colin Firth).
What do you think? How do you think Dan Stevens will act as Mr. Darcy (if he gets the role, of course)? Leave a comment!
God Bless,
For my part, I actually don't think that Colin Firth was the perfect Mr. Darcy. (*gasp*) I think he was really good, and if I'd never read the book or forgotten what it was like, I might think he was perfect. But he didn't quite get Mr. Darcy all the way. Only certain aspects. (Colin Firth didn't read the book, naughty person.)
ReplyDeleteI do think there could be a better one, but I seriously doubt he'll come from a spinoff movie. It would be interesting, though, seeing all the main characters cast again.
As to Dan Stevens... well, they could make worse choices. I think he'd be better than Matthew MacFadyen. ;) I never pictured a blue-eyed Mr. Darcy... but as long as he has dark hair it might be all right.
Indeed: I don't think he'll be the worst Mr. Darcy (and certainly not as bad as Matthew MacFadyen's)... I don't know -- I just can't see him as Mr. Darcy. Definitely not a blond/light brown-haired Mr. Darcy.
DeleteIt is difficult to see any well known character replaced, but many have done it!
ReplyDeleteI think Dan Stevens is certainly dashing enough to give a go at it. I will be excited to learn who they do cast and hope we will hear news of it's premiere date in America.
Thank you for sharing... especially the book info, too.
Net
I'm not sure how I feel about this bit of news. Dan Stevens is a wonderful actor, but I believe I would be too tempted to compare him to Colin Firth(there are, however, worse people they could choose). Still, that would be interesting to see.
ReplyDeleteA spin-off of P&P featuring the servants? That would be totally copying DA.
Point 1: he's blond. I know they could change that, technically, but...
ReplyDeletePoint 2: he just looks too friendly. Nuh-uh. Darcy didn't look friendly.
Point 3: I hear they are doing Death Comes to Pemberley, which I read a while back. Interesting, that should be. :) Did you read Rissi's post on it? Here's a link: http://scribblesscriptsandsuch.blogspot.com/2013/02/bbc-comissions-death-comes-to-pemberly.html
You might enjoy that. :)
I didn't see Rissi's post, but I took a look at it. I'm following her blog now.
DeleteAnd for Point 2: YES!
DeleteThank you SO much for the mention, Charity! So appreciate it. :)
DeleteAgain, thanks for the follow, Elizabeth. :)
I read your reveiw of Downton Abbey and began to watch the 1st episode. Then I got to the "mature content" and turned it off. Is that particular sort of content important or expounded on, or can I for the most part skip it/ignore it?
ReplyDelete~Robyn Hoode
Robyn,
DeleteIt's not really all that important to the storyline for the most part (except it comes back a little bit in the third series). In the first series, it's just that one scene in the first episode (though there is a half scene in the third episode that follows the same thing, but nothing happens -- if that makes sense?) and then it doesn't really come up again until the third series.
In short, for the most part, you can skip/ignore it. A couple of characters imply it, but it's only a couple of times.
There is also another scene (on another note) that you may want to skip in the third episode, but you can see it coming enough to skip it.
Despite those couple of scenes, the rest of Downton is very, very good. I hope you enjoy it! :-)
There is another scene in the third episode that you may want to skip, but you can see it coming just enough to skip it.
Ooops, I repeated myself in that last paragraph. Just ignore that paragraph. :-)
DeleteI completely agree with you. Dan Stevens is a great actor, and I love Matthew Crawley from Downton Abbey and his version of Edward Ferrars. But Mr. Darcy? Definitely not. I just can't see him as Mr. Darcy.
ReplyDeleteWell, as much as I like Dan Stevens (I started watching Downton Abbey because I liked him so much in S&S) I don't think he would make the best Mr. Darcy. I am very wary of "sequels" or "re-imaginations" of Jane Austen's classics and probably will not watch "Death Comes to Pemberley" anyway... it doesn't sound very much like Austen. It would certainly be tempting if Dan Stevens does get the part, though... I would be very curious to see what sort of Darcy he makes.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I might also be tempted if he does get the part.
DeleteCall me crazy but I am SO excited about this new series. Not sure I want to see Dan Stevens in the role though. Have to think about who would totally do the role justice. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you bunches for the follow, Elizabeth! I really appreciate it and am looking forward to following yours. Hope you enjoy your visits. :)
You're very welcome! And thanks for following me too! :-)
DeleteYay! Two of my favorite blogs and their authors met! This makes me happy. :)
DeleteSay it isn't so! I mean I like Dan Stevens and all but, him as Darcy? just no!
ReplyDeleteNow on the other hand it has been seven years since P&P 2005 so it's about time they start on a new adaptation or spin-off film. Haven't heard of 'Death Comes To Pemberley' but sounds interesting.
A series about the servants at Longbourn sounds pretty iffy to me. It would probably be about how Mrs. Hill saves the Bennet family from the evil clutches of poverty or something dumb like that. *sigh*
Mind you, if they were to cast Dan Stevens as Darcy they could also cast Michelle Dockery as Elizabeth, Maggie Smith as Lady Catherine, Jessica Findlay Brown (Sybil) as Lydia, Laura Carmichael (Edith) as Kitty or Caroline Bingley and Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Bennet (again, he was actually good in Lost In Austen).
Thanks for keeping us updated Miss Lizzy! I hadn't heard this news at all. :)
Ya'll need to watch the 1980 version of P&P right now. David Rintoul makes the best Mr. Darcy ever. Just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteIt's free instant video on Netflix and Amazon Prime (not to mention youtube).
And yes I realize he is to old to play the part now...but you still need to see it.
HV
I have actually seen it. I liked it better than what I've seen from the 2005 version, but I still wasn't all that fond of it. But David Rintoul did make a better Mr. Darcy than Matthew MacFadyen.
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