The Ultimate 'Pride And Prejudice' Cast Update: Where Are The Stars Of The 1995 & 2005 Versions Now (2025)?

Two decades after the iconic 2005 film adaptation and nearly 30 years since the beloved 1995 BBC miniseries, the stars of Pride and Prejudice continue to shape the landscape of film and television. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, many of the actors who brought Jane Austen's timeless characters to life are celebrating major career milestones, tackling new high-profile projects, and, tragically, some are being remembered for their incredible legacies.

This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date information on the major players from both the Keira Knightley/Matthew Macfadyen film and the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle series, offering a fascinating look at where Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and the entire Bennet family are now, just as the 2005 film prepares for its 20th-anniversary celebration.

The 2005 Film Cast: From Meryton to Marvel and Netflix (2024–2025)

The 2005 adaptation, directed by Joe Wright, launched several careers into the stratosphere. Here is the latest on the cast who defined a generation's view of Elizabeth and Darcy.

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• Keira Knightley (Elizabeth Bennet): The Oscar-nominated actress has been busy, starring in the high-profile Netflix spy thriller series Black Doves, which premiered in late 2024. She is also attached to star in the film adaptation of the Ruth Ware novel, The Woman in Cabin 10, slated for a 2025 release.
• Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy): After his Emmy-winning run on Succession, Macfadyen has become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. His 2024 saw a major shift into the blockbuster world, starring as Paradox in the Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine. He is also set to star as George Smiley in the John le Carré TV series adaptation Legacy of Spies, proving he can seamlessly move from period drama to espionage thrillers.
• Rosamund Pike (Jane Bennet): Pike has been producing and starring in major streaming projects. In 2024, she was a key figure in the massive Netflix science fiction series 3 Body Problem, which earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. She is also filming another Netflix project, Ladies First.
• Carey Mulligan (Kitty Bennet): Though she played the second-youngest Bennet sister, Mulligan has become an Oscar-nominated powerhouse. She starred in the critically acclaimed film Saltburn (2023) and the 2024 sci-fi drama Spaceman alongside Adam Sandler. Her upcoming projects include the animated feature Wildwood.
• Jena Malone (Lydia Bennet): The actress who played the wild, youngest Bennet sister continues to work across diverse genres. In 2024, she appeared in the Western epic Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 and the acclaimed neo-noir thriller Love Lies Bleeding.
• Rupert Friend (Mr. Wickham): The actor known for playing the charming scoundrel is now part of a major franchise. Friend has joined the cast of the new Jurassic World film, which is scheduled for release in 2025.
• Brenda Blethyn (Mrs. Bennet): The Oscar-nominated actress made headlines in April 2024 by confirming her exit from the long-running ITV crime drama Vera after 14 years. Her next major project is the gripping thriller film Dragonfly, marking a distinct change from her iconic detective role.
• Judi Dench (Lady Catherine de Bourgh): The legendary Dame Judi Dench, who delivered the film's most memorable confrontation, provided a poignant health update in 2024. She shared that her worsening eyesight due to age-related macular degeneration now prevents her from recognizing people and reading scripts easily, though she continues to work.
• Donald Sutherland (Mr. Bennet): In a somber note for the cast, the acclaimed actor Donald Sutherland, who played the gentle, philosophical Mr. Bennet, passed away in June 2024 at the age of 88. He continued acting late in life, with his most recent credits including a role in the 2023 series Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
• Simon Woods (Mr. Bingley): Woods took a different path, stepping away from acting to pursue a career as a writer and playwright. He published his debut novel, It Happened One Fight, and has been involved with the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), serving as a judge for the 2024 Young Filmmakers Contest.

The 1995 BBC Series Cast: Enduring Legacies and New Beginnings

The 1995 BBC miniseries, which gave the world Colin Firth's iconic wet-shirt moment, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025. The cast of this six-episode masterpiece remains active in British and international productions.

• Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy): Firth's portrayal remains the benchmark for many fans. His career continues to thrive across major franchises. Most notably, he is confirmed to reprise his beloved role as Mark Darcy in the highly anticipated film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, slated for a 2025 release. He is also set to star in the limited series Lockerbie and Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock series for Prime Video.
• Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet): The two-time Tony Award winner continues to balance stage and screen. In the last few years, she has had recurring roles in the acclaimed series 1923 (2022) and Dead Ringers (2023). Looking ahead to 2025, she was a featured actress at the Sundance Film Festival for the short film East of Wall.
• Alison Steadman (Mrs. Bennet): Known for her fantastic comedic timing, Steadman is a national treasure in the UK. She recently starred in the acclaimed film Better Man, the biopic about English singer Robbie Williams. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the return of her iconic character Pam Shipman in the 2024 Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey.
• Julia Sawalha (Lydia Bennet): Sawalha, who played the flighty youngest sister, has been active in British television. In early 2024, she appeared in the ITV crime drama Vera (Series 13) and surprised audiences by participating in the fifth series of The Masked Singer.
• Susannah Harker (Jane Bennet): Harker, who portrayed the beautiful and gentle Jane, remains active in theatre and has been involved with the Jane Austen community. She is scheduled to appear in conversation at the 2025 JASNA AGM (Annual General Meeting) in Baltimore.

The Enduring Appeal: Anniversaries and the Next Generation of Adaptations

The timelessness of Jane Austen's novel ensures that new adaptations are always on the horizon, keeping the conversation about the cast—past and present—fresh and relevant. The years 2024 and 2025 are particularly significant for Austen fans.

The 20th Anniversary Re-Release of the 2005 Film

The 2005 film, often praised for its picturesque cinematography and romantic atmosphere, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the film is reportedly being re-released in theaters in 2025, allowing a new generation of fans to experience the cinematic version of Elizabeth and Darcy on the big screen. This re-release highlights the enduring cultural impact of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen’s performances, cementing their status as definitive portrayals for many.

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A New Netflix Series in Development for 2025

The ultimate sign of the novel's continued relevance is the announcement of a brand-new, high-profile adaptation. Netflix is developing a new Pride and Prejudice limited series, written by Dolly Alderton. The series has already generated significant buzz with the casting of Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy. This new cast will begin filming in 2025, inevitably drawing comparisons to the legacies of Jennifer Ehle/Colin Firth and Keira Knightley/Matthew Macfadyen.

The careers of the original casts—from Macfadyen's blockbuster roles and Knightley's espionage thrillers to Firth's return as Mark Darcy—prove that the actors who once walked the muddy paths of Longbourn are now leading the industry. Their collective success underscores how Pride and Prejudice remains a powerful launchpad for acting talent, ensuring that the characters and the debate over the "best Darcy" will continue for decades to come.