(Credit: Netflix)

Fans of classic literature rejoice; Netflix is reportedly in the early stages of developing Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice as a television series. Although details surrounding the project are expectedly scarce, at this stage, it is thought that author, journalist, and screenwriter Dolly Alderton will be on board the project, writing the scripts for the series adaptation of Austen’s iconic novel.

This is not the first time that Netflix has crossed paths with the world of Jane Austen. Back in 2022, the streaming service adapted Austen’s work Persuasion into a film starring Dakota Johnson. Admittedly, Netflix’s Persuasion was not anything to write home about, though the company’s productions have progressed leaps and bounds in the years between its release and the present day. Reportedly, the company has not yet greenlit their Pride and Prejudice series, though Alderton is apparently attached.

Perhaps best known for her 2018 memoir Everything I Know About Love, Alderton has had previous experience with television, after that autobiography was adapted into a television drama for the BBC. Elsewhere, the British author has gained a deluge of television production credits over the years, including script work on classic Channel 4 sitcoms Fresh Meat and Peep Show. In other words, Alderton certainly has enough experience to carry out a faithful adaptation of Austen’s novel.

Originally published in 1813, Austen’s romantic novel follows the development of central character Elizabeth Bennet, and her relationship with Mr Darcy. This tale of love and superficiality has been adapted to film and television countless times and in varying different ways over the years. The first adaptation came in 1938 for a now-lost television series, although the most notable version of the book came in 2005, with Joe Wright’s take on the story.

In that 2005 film, Elizabeth Bennet is played by Kiera Knightley, and Mr Darcy by Matthew Macfadyen. In the years since its initial release, this version has arguably become the definitive on-screen adaptation of Austen’s work, which can be supported by the fact that nobody has seriously tried to adapt it to film since 2005.

At the time of writing, it is not yet known how Netflix’s potential version of the story will differ from its various retellings over the years. With Persuasion, the streaming giants attempted to modernise the story somewhat, most notably by including various fourth wall breaks and glances to the camera à la Jim from The Office. However, this modernisation of the classic novel did not go down too well with fans of Austen, so it seems unlikely that Netflix will try a similar tactic with Pride and Prejudice.

Although it is not yet clear when Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice will enter production – or, indeed, whether it will at all – the very fact that these rumours are being bandied about is enough to build excitement for fans of both Austen and Alderton. In a week that has been illustrated by Netflix remorselessly cancelling swathes of its original programming, it seems subscribers finally have something to look forward to.