BBC One Jane Austen sequel attracts all-star cast!

Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Brothers and Sisters), Anna Maxwell Martin (The Bletchley Circle, Accused) and Matthew Goode (Dancing on the Edge) are to star in a new BBC One, three-part drama, ‘Death Comes To Pemberley’ – a sequel to Jane Austen’s, Pride and Prejudice.

Anna Maxwell Martin has been cast as Elizabeth Bennett, Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy and Matthew Goode as George Wickham in a story based on the P.D. James best-selling 2011 novel and adapted by Juliette Towhidi for BBC One.

The story follows Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married with two young sons, who are preparing for the lavish annual ball at their magnificent Pemberley home. The unannounced arrival of Elizabeth’s wayward sister Lydia, however, brings an abrupt and shocking halt to proceedings when she stumbles out of her chaise screaming that her husband Wickham has been murdered. Darcy leads a search party out to the woodlands, and when they discover the blood-smeared corpse not of Wickham but his travelling companion, suspicion is at once aroused. The dramatic and unnerving events of the evening have shattered the peace both of the Darcys and of Pemberley, and as the family becomes caught up in the ensuing murder investigation, a mysterious web of secrets and deceit will threaten all that the Darcys hold dear.

Matthew Rhys commented: “Exciting as it is, one of the challenges of a part such as Darcy are the comparisons that will be drawn to those who’ve institutionalised him in the past. The beauty of ‘Pemberly’ is that it is an entirely new and different Darcy 6 years on. (And also, I don’t have to appear from a lake in a white shirt and breeches).”

Matthew Goode added: “I’m thrilled to be involved in this adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley. I have long been an admirer of Jane Austen and in particular of Pride and Prejudice. More exciting still is the chance to work with Matthew Rhys who is not only one of the most talented actors of my generation but also the most fun!”

Produced by Origin Pictures, and Screen Yorkshire, the director is Daniel Percival, executive producing is Ed Rubin and Polly Hill.

Production on Death Comes To Pemberley commences on location in Yorkshire in June.