Jane Austen’s proud and aloof Mr. Darcy, from her most famous novelPride and Prejudice, is undoubtedly one of the most famous romantic heroes of all time and has inspired countless others. SinceLaurence Olivierin 1940, many actors have tried their hand at portraying him on the small and big screen, butone performance is often heralded as the best:Colin Firthin the 1995 BBC miniseries adaptation of the book. In fact, only one other depiction is usually even included in the conversation, and that’sMatthew Macfadyen, who played the role inJoe Wright’s 2005 feature-length film,Pride & Prejudice.These are both great portrayals, and it comes down to personal preference — what each person looks for in a Darcy will be different. But there is certainly a convincing argument to be made thatMacfadyen is, in fact, the best Darcy of all time.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Sparks fly when spirited Elizabeth Bennet meets single, rich, and proud Mr. Darcy. But Mr. Darcy reluctantly finds himself falling in love with a woman beneath his class. Can each overcome their own pride and prejudice?
Macfadyen’s Darcy Is a Warmer, More Sensitive Interpretation
Many Austen fans will cling to book accuracy as the hallmark of a great Darcy portrayal. While the 1995 miniseries is often regarded as being an almost page-by-page translation of its source material, there are still debates over whether Firth is the most accurate incarnation of the character. Arguably, he is even more hostile than in the book, and the screen format leaves less room to interpret the nuances behind his character that so many picked up on in the novel. Besides,Elizabeth Bennetis perhaps not the most reliable of narrators — she is clouded by her prejudice of Darcy for much of the story, which in turn colors our own perception of him.
Matthew Macfadyen Is at His Best When He’s a Bumbling Fool
Tom Wambsgans and John Stonehouse walk into a bar…and immediately spill their drinks.
While Macfadyen’s Darcy is still clearly proud and sufficiently arrogant,he brings a deeper emotional range to Darcy, which is especially admirable given the shorter duration ofthe 2005 adaptation— it clocks in at just over two hours, compared to the nearly six-hour length of the miniseries. The fact that he was able to make Darcy so sympathetic — while still retaining the essence of the character — in such a short run time is no small feat. His Darcy is shyer and more socially awkward and is reserved in his interactions with Lizzy (Keira Knightley) rather than disdainful. There’s a tenderness and nervousness that underpins their scenes with each other, and Darcy’s subtle pining makes it all the more satisfying when they finally get together. While Firth’s stoic Darcy is excellent,there’s something so addictive about Macfadyen’s vulnerable approach.
An Ode to the Epic Improvised Hand Flex
The scene in whichDarcy takes Lizzy’s hand to help her into a carriage, before flexing it as he walks away, has gone down inromance movie history— and it wascompletely improvised by Matthew Macfadyen. It’s a tiny moment that has a lot of meaning and encapsulates everything we love aboutperiod romances. From that small flex, we feel Darcy’s electrifying attraction to Lizzy and the overwhelming impact she has on him; the following shot of Lizzy’s gaze makes it apparent she feels the same way. Furthermore, it’s clear that Darcy’s resisting leaning into that touch; he wants to deny his feelings for her and brush off the connection between them, and so it perfectly conveys his inner struggle as well. It represents the pearl-clutching scandal of even the smallest skin-to-skin contact and those minuscule intimate details that bring such love stories to life.
It’s no coincidence thatMacfadyen’s Darcy is at the center of so many of the movie’s standout scenes. His rain-soaked proposal speech to Lizzy — where they spar back and forth, and come dangerously close to kissing — is made what it is by Macfadyen’s heartbreaking micro-expressions, his face illustrating all the hurt and pain that he’s unable to verbalize. And then there’s the grand finale, where Darcy strides across a field as the sun rises, before hopefully declaring “I love… I love… I love you.” It’s no wonder that Macfadyen’s unforgettable Darcy remainsone of his best-loved rolesnearly two decades later.
Macfadyen and Knightley’s Chemistry Bewitched Us, “Body and Soul”
Alongside the social commentary, wry humor, and human observation that is present in every Austen novel,Pride and Prejudiceis at its core a romance, and the 2005 adaptation takes that to the next level. It would fall apart without undeniable chemistry from its two leads, but Macfadyen and Knightley more than deliver. Few other duos could inspire countless Tumblr gif sets and TikTok edits almost two decades later — andtheir chemistry makes Lizzy and Darcy’s relationship feel more fresh and relevant than ever.
Pride and Prejudiceis a quintessential enemies-to-lovers story; it might not have originated the trope, but it definitely popularized it, and it remains one of its finest examples to this day. Macfadyen and Knightley effortlessly convey the two characters’ distaste for each other through their tantalizing bickering and brooding expressions, creating a dynamic that’s simmering with delicious tension. This is made all the more impressive considering there is no kissing in the movie (besides the end scene in the U.S. versiononly as it was considered untrue to Austen’s writing); the relationship hinges on dialogue, longing looks, and brief touches alone, which would undoubtedly be a difficult challenge for lesser actors or actors without chemistry. Macfadyen and Knightley, however, use the material to their advantage and even elevate it further,allowing the absence of explicit sexual content to enhance their performancesand reflect the burgeoning desire within their characters. For a romance that is so lacking in what manycontemporary romancesusually have in abundance, Macfadyen and Knightley are able to make their relationship believable to modern audiences —it is their chemistrythat ultimately makes them so compelling, and has the audience rooting for them no matter what.
Knightley is no stranger to a romantic drama, but despite thearray of actors she’s starred opposite, her chemistry with Macfadyen is yet to be surpassed. Her masterful performance as the iconic Lizzy Bennet expertly complements Macfadyen’s Darcy, and the two truly bring out the best in each other both as their characters and as scene partners.Pride & Prejudice is acclaimed for many things — its score, its cinematography, and its script to mention a few — but the chemistry between its two leads is what keeps us coming back, making the film a timeless classic for romance lovers everywhere.
SincePride & Prejudice,Macfadyen has gone on to prove his rangewith an array of interesting projects. While Darcy has understandably been his most famous role up until recently, he’s garnered critical acclaim over the last few years for hisportrayal of Tom Wambsgans inSuccession, and it’s a testament to his acting skills that he’s able to pull off two different characters so well —the corporate buffoon is a far cry from Austen’s leading man. There’s a reason whyPride & Prejudiceis one of the most beloved Austen adaptations; Macfadyen undoubtedly made the role of Darcy his own, and while Firth’s Darcy is often hailed as the definitive version, it’s Macfadyen’s complex performance and chemistry with his co-lead that really made us fall in love with the character all over again.
Pride and Prejudice(2005) is available to rent on Prime Video.
