Harris Dickinson stars as Mr. Darcy in Audible Pride and Prejudice adaptation, which is set to debut globally in English on September 9, before Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, bringing a fresh interior perspective from Elizabeth Bennet to listeners in the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, and Australia. The reimagined classic features a stellar ensemble cast and immersive sound design, promising a faithful yet invigorated take on the renowned novel.
Pioneering Adaptation Unveils New Dimension on Austen’s Classic
Audible’s latest original production breathes new life into Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” by remaining closely tied to Austen’s original writing, while also delving deeper into the heroine Elizabeth Bennet’s internal world. This inventive approach is intended to make the timeless story feel both familiar and renewed for contemporary audiences just ahead of the late author’s historic milestone.
The English-language cast is led by Marisa Abela—known for her roles in “Industry,” “Back to Black,” and “Black Bag”—as Elizabeth Bennet, alongside Harris Dickinson (“Babygirl,” “The Iron Claw”) portraying Mr. Darcy. The cast is rounded out by Will Poulter as Mr. Wickham, Jessie Buckley as Caroline Bingley, Toheeb Jimoh as Mr. Bingley, and Glenn Close as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
International Rollout and Multilingual Versions Announced
This new rendition launches its English version in major English-speaking regions, with translations in Castilian Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese confirmed for later this year. Each language edition will feature local casts, expanding the project’s reach and accessibility across the globe.
Voices from the Stars: Cast Share Their Excitement
In a statement provided by Audible, Marisa Abela reflected on her connection to the story:
“Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most fiercely intelligent and iconic characters in literature, and stepping into her shoes has been an incredible honour. What I love about this adaptation is how it lets us hear her inner world in such a vivid, intimate way — it feels both timeless and fresh. Recording this with such a phenomenal cast and team was a true joy, and I can’t wait for listeners to experience it.”
—Marisa Abela, Elizabeth Bennet
Harris Dickinson also spoke about his time as the iconic Mr. Darcy:
“was an amazing experience. I’ve always known him as this iconic character, but getting to really dive into the novel through this process gave me a whole new appreciation for him and the world. Being part of such a talented cast made it even better. It’s a real privilege to be part of something so timeless.”
—Harris Dickinson, Mr. Darcy
All-Star Ensemble Brings Austen Characters to Life
The rich supporting cast includes David Gyasi as Mr. Gardiner, Rosalind Eleazar as Mrs. Gardiner, Bertie Carvel as Mr. Collins, and Leah Harvey as Charlotte Lucas. Significant roles within the Bennet family are performed by Bill Nighy as Mr. Bennet, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Mrs. Bennet, Sophie Wilde as Jane Bennet, Antonia Salib as Kitty Bennet, Patricia Allison as Lydia Bennet, and Aasiya Shah as Mary Bennet, ensuring that Austen’s character ensemble is vividly represented.
Creative Minds and Sound Design Shape the Experience
Adapted by writer Lulu Raczka, noted for “Women” and “Beware the Devil,” the production is directed by Dionne Edwards, marking her debut in audio drama direction after work on “Pretty Red Dress” and “A Thousand Blows.” Production was spearheaded by Audible in collaboration with Brock Media, with Sarah Brocklehurst executive producing and Nicole Davis as producer. Contributions from Brain Audio on sound design and Morgan Kibby’s original music score (known for collaborations with M83 and “The Watcher”) further amplify the audiobook’s immersive environment.
Industry Voices Praise the Timeless Appeal of Pride and Prejudice
Aurelie de Troyer, Audible’s head of regional content for Europe, highlighted the enduring legacy of Austen’s work and praised the creative contributions of the adaptation:
“It’s remarkable how ‘Pride and Prejudice’ has stood the test of time globally to be one of every generation’s favourite love stories,”
—Aurelie de Troyer, Audible head of regional content for Europe
“Lulu Raczka’s script is thrilling and conveys all of Jane Austen’s energy in an engaging, modern way. Through the intimacy of audio, we have the unique ability to make the passion and romance truly electric and Marisa Abela and Harris Dickinson’s chemistry as Elizabeth and Darcy is undeniable.”
—Aurelie de Troyer, Audible head of regional content for Europe
Audible’s Expanding Heritage Collection and Future Projects
This “Pride and Prejudice” adaptation joins Audible’s expanding catalog of major literary adaptations, including George Orwell’s “1984” featuring Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Tom Hardy, and Andrew Scott; Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affairs at Styles” starring Peter Dinklage, Jessica Gunning, and Himesh Patel; and the Sam Mendes-produced Charles Dickens audiobooks (“Oliver Twist,” “David Copperfield,” and “The Signalman”).
Alongside bringing classics to audio, Audible, in partnership with Brock Media and a team of producers, is also moving forward with new audio editions of J.K. Rowling’s seven Harry Potter books, with the initial release expected in late 2025. This continuous investment in innovative adaptations underlines Audible’s commitment to broadening access to revered literature, uniting generations of listeners and fostering excitement for timeless tales worldwide.
The upcoming release of Harris Dickinson stars as Mr. Darcy in Audible Pride and Prejudice adaptation is set to reach new audiences, potentially introducing the beloved work of Jane Austen to both longtime fans and those discovering it for the first time, while leveraging contemporary storytelling methods and global representation.
