Fans beg Netflix to ‘stay away’ from new Pride and Prejudice series for this reason-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Pride and Prejudice lovers are very wary (Picture: Shutterstock)

After news that Netflix is in the early stages of a new Pride and Prejudice adaptation, fans are imploring the streaming service to leave the beloved Jane Austen novel alone.

According to Deadline, Netflix has brought on board Everything I Know About Love creator Dolly Alderton to write the show – following in the footsteps of the hit 1995 BBC series starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Darcy and Elizabeth.

The period drama also enjoyed a hugely successful movie adaptation (featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen as the romantic leads) in 2005.

In Netflix’s version, the Daily Mail has reported that Normal People star Daisy Edgar-Jones could star as the literary heroine (with no official confirmation from Netflix on the series or potential casting)

What’s more, the news of this fresh take on the 19th-century love story comes just days after the BBC confirmed they would be producing a new series, The Other Bennet Sister, focused on the overlooked Mary Bennett.

This would mark Netflix’s first Austen remake since Dakota Johnson’s Persuasion in 2022 which crashed out with a disappointing 30% on Rotten Tomatoes for its quirky modern dialogue within the traditional period setting.

Reports say Daisy Edgar-Jones could be playing the heroine, Elizabeth Bennett (Picture: James Shaw/Shutterstock)

Pride and Prejudice already has many beloved adaptations (Picture:Universal Pictures)

Netflix has already let many fans down with their take on Persuasion in 2022 (Picture: Nick Wall/Netflix)

Unfortunately, Persuasion has left a bad taste in many people’s mouths.

The series development also comes just weeks after Netflix endured backlash after industry rumours that the streamer was also developing a Picture of Dorian Grey adaptation that would reimagine Oscar Wilde’s Dorian and Basil as siblings.

All this to say, fans have already expressed their dismay at the potential new series.

Acclaimed writer Dolly Alderton is reported to be writing it (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t trust this after what they did to Persuasion,’ @folkausten wrote on X.

‘NETFLIX STAY AWAY FROM PERIOD DRAMAS,’ @myghostr echoed. And @rnostardently simply added: ‘undevelop it’.

‘Go watch BBC’s version of persuasion and you will awe of this love story. And then watch Netflix’s version, you will be angry at how they butchered it. Don’t trust Netflix making pride and prejudice,’ @hello_lilgel6 slammed.

‘Tbh Netflix ruining every literature masterpiece from Persuasion to picture of dorian gray and now Pride and Prejudice? I’ll not stand it,’ @viwalavida_ shared.

‘Netflix, ISTG if you ruin Pride and Prejudice for us, I’ll be sending carrier pigeons with angry notes,’ @inshanomani added.

Despite fan scepticism, Netflix has already proven its ability to adapt Regency-era novels after the huge success of its ongoing Bridgerton series.

The show, based on the best-selling novel series by Julia Quinn, has raked in millions of viewers over three seasons.

The popular series is set to bring in even more for its next season focused on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thomspon) and Sophie Baek’s (Yerin Ha) love story.

This potential new Pride and Prejudice TV series is not the only period drama adaptation to undergo retaliation from fans in recent weeks.

In September, Saltburn director Emerald Fennell shocked fans after confirming a Wuthering Heights movie was in the works – with Hollywood A-listers Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi rumoured to be playing Catherine and Heathcliffe.

Bronte fans cited their disappointment at the idea of Heathcliffe not being played by a person of colour, despite his description in the book.

More generally, others called out the absurdity of two picture-perfect stars assuming the role of these rough-around-the-edges characters.

The Metro has reached out to Netflix for comment.

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