Where are the stars of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice now – from secret love pact for children to role in Fifty Shades and snob in Game of Thrones – Reuters

The BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice caused a stir in 1995 – who can forget that iconic scene where Mr Darcy emerges soaked from a lake?

The dramatization of the famous Jane Austen novel was directed by screenwriter Fay Weldon, who “passed away peacefully” yesterday morning at the age of 91.

The BBC’s adaptation of Pride And Prejudice was a hit in 1995[/caption]

Getty

Tributes poured in to honor the award-winning author, who also wrote The Life And Loves Of A She Devil, Praxis and Puffball.

Since its much-loved adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which aired in 1995 and spanned six episodes, a film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen has been released.

But Weldon’s screenplay is widely credited with being the most faithful to the 1813 novel.

Here, we take a look at what happened to its cast — from marriage breakups to film and TV snobs.

Role of Fifty Shades of Gray

Playing Elizabeth Bennet won actress Jennifer Ehle the Best Actress gong at the 1996 BAFTA TV Awards and led to a long film career.

After Pride and Prejudice, she reunited with former co-star Colin Firth in The King’s Speech in 2010 and starred in The Ides Of March, Zero Dark Thirty and The Blacklist.

Jennifer also appeared in the naughty Fifty Shades of Gray trilogy as Carla Wilkes, the mother of main character Anastasia Steele.

The 53-year-old actress, who also won two Tony Awards, had a brief career slump when Game Of Thrones recast the role of Catelyn Stark after she was filmed in the role of the pilot.

Jennifer continues to star in TV shows and movies, including the highly acclaimed #MeToo movie She Said.

Marriage breakdown

It was a case of life imitating art when Colin Firth starred in Pride and Prejudice because during filming a romance blossomed between him and Jennifer.

Their relationship didn’t last, but the role made the actor a household name and arguably led to him being cast as Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones franchise.

Since then, Colin has landed other major romantic comedy roles in Love Actually and Mamma Mia! but didn’t shy away from watching thoughtful dramas including The King’s Speech and Single Man.

Now 62, he has received numerous acting awards, an honorary doctorate from the University of Winchester, a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and a CBE.

The actor split from his Italian TV producer wife Livia Giuggioli, with whom he shares two children, in 2019 after 22 years of marriage.

It came four years after she had an affair with journalist Marco Brancaccia when they were briefly apart.

She later accused Marco of harassing her with phone calls and messages, which he strongly denied.

Husband’s “Affair” with A-lister

Since playing Jane Bennet, Susannah Harker has had her greatest success on TV shows such as Grantchester, Midsomer Murders and New Tricks.

The actress, now 57, was married to Game Of Thrones star Iain Glen, who played Ser Jorah Mormont, but their relationship fell apart amid cheating allegations.

It has been alleged that Iain had an affair with Nicole Kidman while they starred on the raunchy West End show The Blue Room, in which they performed a nude scene.

The allegations, reported by the Daily Mail, were dismissed by Iain, who insisted his relationship with the Australian actress was above all else.

Susannah then dated Paul McGann, who played the eighth incarnation of Doctor Who in 1996.

became a teacher

Charles Bingley was played by Helena Bonham-Carter’s brother Crispin, who eventually left acting to become a teacher.

After Pride and Prejudice, the star notably appeared in an adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Absolutely Fabulous, ER and Rosemary & Thyme.

Charles also made appearances in Bridget Jones’s Diary and as a doctor in the James Bond film Casino Royale.

The 53-year-old – who appeared on University Challenge in 2011 – quit acting to teach English and Classics until 2019 when he became deputy headteacher at a school in Barnet.

Chicken Run “Ageism”

Julia Sawalha, who played Lydia Bennet, is the sister of Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha.

Her next big role was in the mystery drama Jonathan Creek where she played Carla Borrego.

One of Julia’s most famous roles was “Saffy” in Absolutely Fabulous; she last played the role in the 2016 film.

In 2020, she expressed her frustration at Aardman Animations when she decided to recast her character Ginger in Netflix’s upcoming Chicken Run sequel, allegedly because of her age.

Julia, now 54, claimed to have “officially been plucked, stuffed and roasted” and said she was told the “voice now sounds ‘too old'”.

controversial brother

Emilia Fox, who played Georgiana Darcy, made a name for herself in period dramas, starring in Henry VIII, The Virgin Queen and Gunpowder, Treason & Plot.

This led to her landing her first film role in Roman Polanski’s 2002 hit The Pianist. Other films followed, including Keeping Mum, Dorian Gray and The Carer.

Emilia, now 48, is best known for her role as Dr Nikki Alexander on Silent Witness, which she joined in 2004 and is now the longest serving cast member.

The actress, who is the sister of controversial star Lawrence Fox, has also appeared on Celebrity Juice, Celebrity Gogglebox, Top Gear and Blankety Blank.

Gavin and Stacey stars

Alison Steadman seems to have a knack for playing the bossy matriarch, having earned praise from Ms. Bennet and Pam Shipman in Gavin & Stacey.

The actress, now 76, has a string of shows to her name, including The Singing Detective, Fat Friends and Orphan Black, as well as starring in the 2016 film Dad’s Army.

In 2007, the OBE-winning star came 42nd in a Channel 4 poll of the 50 greatest actors, voted on by fellow comedians.

In Alison’s personal life, she is an avid birdwatcher and became an ambassador for the London Wildlife Trust in 2016.

Secret love-child pact

Benjamin Whitrow has been nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the grumpy Mr Bennet.

The actor has appeared on other TV shows including Midsomer Murders, Inspector Morse and New Tricks, and provided the voice of Fowler in the original film Chicken Run.

Benjamin, who was married to Catherine Cook from 1964 until her death in 2017, made an unusual secret love-child pact with his friend, actress Celia Imrie.

Celia revealed they struck a deal in her 40s that he would impregnate her ‘before it’s too late’ so she could have a baby – but he wouldn’t play any part in their son’s upbringing , Angus.

Despite this, Celia described Benjamin – who already had two children with his wife – as “a wonderful father” after his passing.

The actor’s last film role was in Winston Churchill’s war drama Darkest Hour, released in January 2018 – four months after his death at the age of 80.

EastEnders Copper

Polly Mabel is best known for playing Kitty Bennet in the period drama, but has also had smaller roles in a number of other TV shows.

She made appearances in Midsomer Murders, The Bill, Doctors and Holby City.

Polly also landed bigger roles in Gentleman Jack as well as EastEnders, playing DI Ellie Kent, and in Foyle’s War as Edith Miller.

Part derived from Game Of Thrones

Lucy, the daughter of Good Life star Richard Briers, played Mary Bennett and most recently appeared as Ceira Lannister on HBO’s House Of The Dragon.

The actress, now 55, has landed TV roles in shows ranging from Red Dwarf to Endeavour, Casualty and The Bill.

Lucy also starred in the 2013 BBC hit Our Girl opposite Lacey Turner, the comedy Alan Patridge: Alpha Papa and the DC Comics superhero film Zach Synder’s Justice League.

Five years ago she opened up about the impact of her grief for her late father, admitting his death in 2013 left her “deeply traumatized” and unable to watch his films.

Infamous role reprized

Adrian Lukis played cadet George Wickham, but is best known for his roles as Sergeant Doug Wright in The Bill and Marc Thompson in Judge John Deed.

The 65-year-old has also appeared in Anatomy Of A Scandal, Death In Paradise and Black Mirror.

Since 2013 he has starred as Colonel Blair Toast in the Channel 4 series Toast Of London and recently starred as General Claude Auchinleck in the BBC SAS series: Rogue Heroes.

Notably, in 2019, Adrian reprized his role as Pride And Prejudice in the world premiere of the play Being Mr Wickham.