Adaptations
11 Mr. Darcy & Mr. Darcy-Inspired Characters, Ranked
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a viewer with a taste for Jane Austen‘s Pride and Prejudice is in want of a good onscreen Mr. Darcy. Thankfully, there have been a multitude of epic onscreen versions of the character plucked from the pages of Austen’s Regency-era romance — and the adaptations are ongoing.
Netflix recently revealed plans for a forthcoming Pride and Prejudice television series, leaving many to ponder which actor may land the coveted role. Additionally, with the forthcoming film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, we can’t help but be reminded of our love for Colin Firth‘s other famous Darcy role as Mark in that franchise.
And don’t get us started about the tease Bridgerton Season 4 lead Yerin Ha shared about Luke Thompson‘s “Mr. Darcy vibes.” Needless to say, there’s a Mr. Darcy fever going around, which makes it feel like an appropriate time to look over some of the onscreen Mr. Darcys and Mr. Darcy-inspired characters for a good old-fashioned ranking.
Below, we’re ranking eleven standout onscreen Darcys. Scroll down to see which Darcy earned the top spot, and let us know your favorites in the comments section below.
11. Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
If horror is your genre, then Sam Riley‘s version of the beloved character might be your jam. But in terms of cultural impact, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies‘ Mr. Darcy is on the lower end of the scale. Still, Riley’s approach to the character in this zombie apocalypse twist on Austen’s tale is definitely worth watching, especially if you were a fan of Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel that inspired the movie.
10. Matthew Rhys as Mr. Darcy in Death Comes to Pemberley
Based on P.D. James’ novel Death Comes to Pemberley, the three-part miniseries sees Matthew Rhys take on the iconic role of Mr. Darcy under the lens of a murder mystery genre. Certainly less romantic than the version fans have come to know through Austen’s original tale, Rhys delivers a strong performance, just not one as noteworthy as other Darcys that came before or since.
9. Elliot Cowan as Mr. Darcy in Lost in Austen
If you enjoy a good time-traveling twist on Pride and Prejudice, look no further than ITV’s four-part series Lost in Austen, which presents a compelling Mr. Darcy played by Elliot Cowan. The 2000s series sees present-day Amanda (Jemima Rooper) swap lives with Elizabeth Bennett (Gemma Arterton) when a portal between their lives is opened in Amanda’s apartment closet. Cowan’s Darcy proves to be a bolder iteration than some as he goes so far as to follow Amanda to the present, and despite learning his usual fate to be Elizabeth’s husband, chooses Amanda in the end. Talk about romance.
8. Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen in Twilight
One of the often-forgotten facts about Twilight is that Stephenie Meyer‘s first book is loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice, making Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) a Mr. Darcy-esque character. Those elements are certainly present onscreen in Pattinson’s performance in the first film, but unlike Austen’s version in which Darcy’s rudeness stems from concerns about his friend Charles Bingley, Edward’s rudeness is due to his bloodthirst for Bella (Kristen Stewart). Considering the chokehold Edward had on an entire generation, he was a prime candidate for this list, but his sketchy behaviors like watching a teenager in her sleep leave him on the lower end of this ranking.
7. Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in Bridgerton
Okay, we’ll be the first to admit that Benedict Bridgerton isn’t exactly inspired by Mr. Darcy, nor does he tend to act like the character. But considering Ha’s comment about Benedict’s “Mr. Darcy vibes” in Bridgerton Season 4, we can’t help but include him in this ranking. If Benedict was actually inspired by Darcy he’d be ranking much higher. Still, the pop culture impact of Benedict can’t be denied as it is tough to find anyone who could possibly dislike this Bridgerton known for his romantic proclivities like painting and poetry, and for that, he earns an honorable mention.
6. JJ Feild as Mr. Henry Nobley in Austenland
Austenland, based on Shannon Hale’s novel of the same name, follows Darcy-obsessed American woman Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) as she signs up for a unique and immersive vacation experience at a Jane Austen-themed resort in England. The catch? Jane’s meager funds land her the cheaper vacation package, which means a less glamorous experience. While every guest is promised a romance arc with the male actors, Jane’s not enthused about her suitor, Mr. Henry Nobley (JJ Feild). As the nephew of the resort’s owner (Jane Seymour), Nobley is indifferent to the immersive world he’s working in, leading to an Elizabeth-Darcy dynamic between himself and Jane. Needless to say, Nobley is a fun modern twist on Mr. Darcy, and that’s not even taking into account Jennifer Coolidge‘s unforgettable role as one of the resort’s wealthier guests.
5. Martin Henderson as Mr. Darcy in Bride and Prejudice
Martin Henderson may be stealing hearts as Jack in Netflix’s Virgin River, but he was doing so years before in the Bollywood hit Bride and Prejudice, in which he played Mr. Darcy. In this spin on the classic, Darcy’s family owns a hotel empire, and while visiting India with his friend Balraj (Naveen Andrews), he meets Lalita (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), with which he carries on a rollercoaster dynamic amid song and dance. Henderson’s Darcy is an old favorite for some but also a must-see for those yet to tune into the phenomenon that is Bride and Prejudice.
4. Conrad Ricamora as Will in Fire Island
Perhaps the most modern version of Darcy to date, Conrad Ricamora‘s iteration of the character in Fire Island weaves enough of Darcy’s classic vibe into a tale made for today’s audiences. Playing Will Darcy, Ricamora’s onscreen chemistry with Joel Kim Booster‘s Noah is palpable, making this queer twist on Austen’s classic an utter delight.
3. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Classics are classics for a reason, and whether you’re a fan of Colin Firth’s memorable lake moment as Fitzwilliam Darcy in 1995’s Pride and Prejudice miniseries or are partial to the accuracy of its adaptation, this version of the character is hard to beat. Not much else needs to be said.
2. Colin Firth as Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones's Diary
Another modern-day version of Mr. Darcy, Firth plays his role to perfection in Bridget Jones’s Diary and its following films, but while some may argue his classic performance of the character might be better, Mark’s line delivery of “I like you very much. Just as you are,” is absolutely unforgettable. Considering Bridget Jones’ rom-com popularity, Firth’s comedic moments definitely endear us toward Mark just a bit more than his Fitzwilliam, landing him here at the coveted second-place spot.
1. Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Matthew Macfadyen may have won his Emmy for playing the goofy Tom Wambsgans in Succession, but the actor has won over countless viewers for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright‘s 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice — and rightly so. Macfadyen plays the character with just the right amount of indifference and occasionally patheticness to thaw even the coldest of hearts. And while Firth’s Darcy might have had the lake, Macfadyen’s had the rain, the hand twitch, the field at sunrise… To state it plainly and bluntly, Macfadyen’s Darcy is an icon that can’t be beat.
