Andrew Davies: How a ‘sexy’ suggestion shaped Colin Firth’s Pride and Prejudice
Screenwriter Andrew Davies reveals a former student’s call to make Pride and Prejudice “sexy” led to the iconic 1995 adaptation.
Andrew Davies, the Cardiff-born writer behind the 1995 TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, revealed that the defining “sexy” angle originated from a former student. Starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, the six-episode series drew over 11 million UK viewers and earned two BAFTAs and an Emmy.
Despite initial skepticism from commissioners who felt costume dramas were out of fashion, Davies persisted for years to bring Austen’s tale of love, class and social expectation to the screen.
The story follows Elizabeth Bennet and her evolving relationship with the proud Mr Darcy in Regency England. Davies credited his then-student-turned-producer Sue Birtwistle with prompting a “really sexy” adaptation to highlight Austen’s themes of sex and money, beyond the prevailing view of Austen as purely polite and witty.
“I knew exactly what she meant,” Davies told Radio Wales Breakfast. “It was about acknowledging the novel’s undercurrents of desire.”
Weekly broadcasts meant each episode built anticipation and buzz. Davies recalled the instant stir and rising press attention as viewers debated Darcy’s character with each installment.
The notorious lake scene—Darcy emerging in a wet shirt—was not meant to be overtly erotic, Davies said. It originally featured a nude dive; when that was scaled back, the damp shirt remained, offering a “sweet and comical” glimpse into Darcy’s private side.
Though Colin Firth initially felt uneasy as a romantic lead, Davies praised his “extraordinary” performance, which cemented the actor’s career. “I’m absolutely thrilled people are still watching it,” Davies added.
The decision to embrace Austen’s sensual undertones transformed a decade-old novel into one of television’s most talked-about dramas.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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