Cliff Notes – Netflix fans ‘genuinely confused’ after period drama reboot makes baffling change
- Louis Partridge, cast as Mr Wickham at just 22, raises concerns about the character’s predatory nature, traditionally portrayed by older actors.
- Fans express confusion over the age dynamics, noting that Partridge’s youth undermines Wickham’s role as a groomer of younger characters like Lydia and Georgiana.
- The adaptation, led by Dolly Alderton, aims to bring a fresh perspective to Austen’s classic, but the casting choice has sparked significant debate among viewers.
Netflix fans ‘genuinely confused’ after period drama reboot makes baffling change
One character’s casting in Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice adaptation has caused a stir.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Mr Wickham is classic literature’s most dastardly character – but fans are worried Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice reboot has already made a big mistake.
The highly-anticipated six episode adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel is helmed by Everything I Know About Love’s Dolly Alderton.
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The period drama remake stars Emma Corrin as our literary heroine Elizabeth Bennett opposite Jack Lowden’s broody Mr Darcy as well as Oliva Colman as the ever-worried Mrs Bennett.
The stacked cast doesn’t end there with stars like Jamie Demetriou, Fiona Shaw and Rufus Sewell also making up the ensemble cast.
As Netflix dropped their first look of the series – which features the Bennett sisters with their vibrant mother in period-typical clothing – they also announced Enola Holmes star Louis Partridge as the villainous Mr Wickham.
For those unversed in the plot of Pride and Prejudice (brace yourself for 200-year-old spoilers) Wickham was Darcy’s agemate and was adopted into his home growing up.
We have our first look and main cast for Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice adaptation. The Enola Holmes star is only 22.
After Darcy’s father died, however, he unveiled himself as a scammer who preys on young girls, not least Darcy’s own teenage sister Georgiana and, as we uncover in the book, Lizzie’s young and flighty sister Lydia Bennett.
Both Darcy and Wickham are understood to be in their late 20s, with the actors portraying them in various adaptations aged from their mid 20s to mid 30s over the years.
For example, in the 1995 BBC adaptation, Wickham is played by a 37-year-old Adrian Lukis, although this was different in the 2005 version in which he was played by a 24-year-old Rupert Friend.
All this to say, at only 22, Partridge is youngest (and certainly the youngest-looking) star to play the novel’s villain yet especially in contrast to Lowden who is 35-years-old.
What’s more, Heartstopper’s Rhea Norwood who will play 15-year-old Lydia is older then Partridge at 24 which has never happened in a major adaptation before.
Given Wickham’s nefarious nature as a groomer who takes advantage of vulnerable young girls is a central part of his character and the plot, many fans are concerned that this will be lost in the surprise casting.
The ages of the Pride and Prejudice characters over the years
Mr Darcy
In the novel: 28
1995 version: 35 (Colin Firth)
2005 version: 31 (Matthew Macfadyen)
Netflix version: 35 (Jack Lowden)
Mr Wickham
In the novel: around 28
1995 version: 37 (Adrian Lukis)
2005 version: 24 (Rupert Friend)
Netflix version: 22 (Louis Partridge)
Lydia Bennett
In the novel: 15
1995 version: 27 (Julia Sawalha)
2005 version: 21 (Jena Malone)
Netflix version: 24 (Rhea Norwood)
Rupert Friend played the villain in the 2005 version (Picture: Focus/Everett/Shutterstock)
And Adrian Lukis played him aged 37 in 1995 (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
As put by X user splendour1999 who wrote: ‘ok but seriously how does this make any sense. Jack Lowden is 35. how does Wickham and Darcy’s backstory make any sense now.
‘And Wickham looking/being so young undermines ya know, him taking advantage of 15 year old Lydia.’
‘Genuinely confused because the obvious evilness of Wickham is that he clearly grooms Georgiana and Lydia using his older age as a way to “charm” them… and now he’s closer in age to them than Mr. Darcy?’ Taylisaprint echoed.
‘The point in the end was Mr Wickham was a predator. He’s supposed to be played by a grown man to emphasis him running off with her underage sister,’ dojasbin agreed.
Fans fear Louis’ youthful look wil detract from the sinister nature of Wickham (Picture: Alex Bailey/Netflix)
‘Wickham is meant to be predatory before being a scammer in the story. That is a key part of his character and how he takes advantage of lydia’s youth and naivete, removing that flips the dynamic entirely,’ doedamseI added.
Many made it clear while they love Partridge as an actor, he is just not the right fit for this – especially contrasted to the age of the rest of the cast.
‘I’m not happy with the Wickham casting. this is no shade to louis at all but it should be someone older than 25,’ knjoonlight shared.
Nevertheless, Alderton has shared her excitement at showing the world her take on the timeless love story as filming begins.
‘Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it.
‘Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.’
There is currently no release date for Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice limited series.
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