New TV adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is coming from makers of ‘Poldark’

The team behind Poldark and Victoria are developing a brand new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Production company Mammoth Screen has commissioned acclaimed playwright Nina Raine to adapt Jane Austen’s classic romance novel.

First published in 1813, the book has sold over 20 million copies.

Writer Nina Raine, who wrote the National Theatre’s 2017 hit play Consent, commented: “Pride and Prejudice is actually a very adult book, much less bonnet-y than people assume.”

She teased: “I hope I do justice to Austen’s dark intelligence – sparkling, yes, but sparkling like granite.”

Mammoth managing director Damien Timmer added: “In this age of the box set – with audiences loving to binge on complex, serialised dramas – it feels absolutely right to reassess the great classics. Every generation needs its own adaptation of this perfect novel.

“Nina Raine is one of the most gifted writers working today, and her wit and emotional intelligence make her the perfect match for Jane Austen. She’s a devoted fan of the book, but she’s never seen any previous adaptations – so pleasingly the novel only exists in her imagination.”

There have been numerous film and TV adaptations of Pride and Prejudice over the years.

The BBC’s hit mini-series starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth aired in 1995. It is available to buy on DVD.

The most recent movie version was released in 2005 and starred Keira Knightley, in an Oscar-nominated performance, with Ripper Street star Matthew Macfadyen.