The beloved bestselling novel 'Death Comes to Pemberley' by P.D. James has been adapted into a three-part BBC drama now streaming on Channel 4, earning high praise from Pride and Prejudice fans and critics alike.
Plot and Setting
Set in June 1803, six years after the events of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice,' the story follows Mr. and Mrs. Darcy as they host a ball at Pemberley Manor. The festive atmosphere shatters when Lydia Wickham appears, claiming her husband George has clashed with his traveling companion Captain Denny, resulting in Denny's murder. This twist transforms Austen's romance into a gripping whodunit, exploring secrets, family ties, and courtroom drama, all while examining the impact on Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage.
Cast and Reception
The ensemble cast features Matthew Rhys as Darcy, Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth, Matthew Goode as Wickham, and Jenna Coleman as Lydia. Additional cast includes Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy, James Norton as Henry Alveston, and Penelope Keith as Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Tom Ward, who played a minor role in the 1995 'Pride and Prejudice' adaptation, appears as Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Nearly 8 million viewers tuned in when the drama first aired over Christmas 2013. Critics hailed it as 'perfect' festive television. On IMDb, one reviewer praised the adaptation's care and respect for Austen's source material. Another fan noted that while Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle remain definitive as Darcy and Elizabeth, this adaptation boasts a superior supporting cast, highlighting Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Sir Selwyn Hardcastle, Georgiana Darcy, and Alveston. A third reviewer gave the highest praise: 'Jane Austen would approve.'
All three episodes of 'Death Comes to Pemberley' are now streaming on Channel 4.
