One of the more interesting ideas in this weekend's show, IMO, is Ian and Jodie's Pride and Prejudice theme. I think the music they are using, as played during their training clip on ITT, came from the Andrew Davies version.

Wasn't entirely convinced that Ian is a real Darcy. I think Darcy's main characteristic is haughteur. Ian seems too friendly and soft to be a real Darcy.

If we had to cast P&P from the personae available - who should play what?

(Apologies in advance if I've cast someone's favourite pro/celeb in a less-than-favourable role).

Darcy
My choice would be Brendan. He has the arrogance, and more importantly, IMO, needs "redemption" by a woman, which is the crux of the story. I don't think Bredan would like to be landed with a weak dance partner, and would probably say so, to her face. I can imagine him saying "no-one here of any interest".

Elizabeth Bennet
Original choice might have been Lisa. However, is Elizabeth supposed to be good looking, or not? I had the impression that the idea that she is good looking was a spin invented by Andrew Davies, and that, in the original, her attraction was more of the mind (but am not sure on this point). Think a better choice would be Cherie. Can imagine Brendan thinking, at the start of the series, "Cherie's going to be rubbish".

Bingley
Ian - friendly, though a lightweight character.

Jane Bennet (Elizabeth's older, sensible, sister)
Jodie.

(Or we could cast Anton and Erin as Bingley and Jane)

Mr Bennett
John Sergeant - affable and laid back.

Mrs Bennett
Tess - always prattling on.

Wickham
Tom Chambers, with his Brylcreemed hair, looks as though he could act a cad.

Lydia (Elizabeth's light-headed sister)
Camilla - gives me the impression she'd run after anything in trousers.

William Collins (the overbearing vicar)
Darren Bennett. Because he always seems delighted, and turns on the huge fake smile, even if he has to dance with a completely useless partner.

Georgiana (Darcy's innocent sister)
Rachel Stevens (or should we cast Vincent as Wickham)

Lady Catherine De Bourgh
Karen Hardy - severe and schoolmarmish.

Anyone left out or unallocated, or better off in another role?

Can I just ask, are we just going by physical appearance or are we taking into account personality as well?

Someone has FAR too much time on their hands today!! (lol)

Well done

JJ

Brendan cannot possibly be Darcy! That's sheer sacrilege. I'd probably go for James. I think he has that arrogance, haughtiness and general supercilousness, but as we saw this year, he also has a soft centre.

Tess would make a great Lydia Bennett - if only she'd take her lead and elope with Austin and his guns and never be seen again!

Would have thought personality was the most important thing.

Are there any P&P characters for which physical attributes are crucial? Couldn't think of any, apart from the question about whether Elizabeth should or should not look attractive (which probably is important).

LOL! It your choice of Brendan for Darcy that made me ask!

Darcy and Elizabeth

Has to be Tom and Camilla

Jane Bennett's supposed to be a knockout. Even Darcy acknowledges that she is good looking.

Am I the only one who doesn't think Lisa particularly attractive?

imo there has only been one truly beautiful woman on SCD and that was Alesha.

Lisa is attractive but like you said Ignazio Alesha is the only truly beautiful woman who has been on the show. Beautiful inside and outside.
Last edited by smileycat : 30-10-2008 at 21:04

Jane is the stunner.

Lizzie is described as having "fine eyes".
I believe that Darcy describes her as "tolerable" or something equally underwhelming.

Arlene as Mrs Bennett-
She is very keen on men...marrying her daughters!

Lady Catherine HAS to be Cherie!!!

I think Elizabeth is supposed to have 'fine eyes', as mentioned. She's pretty, not as pretty as Jane, her sister.

Mr Darcy is supposed to be more distingushed and handsome than Bingley.

Actually, I don't think anyone in this year's Strictly can fit into these principal roles.

I imagined Bingley as handsome in a chocolate box sort of way - Matt Cutler perhaps.

When I think of Darcy - I can't see past Colin Firth.

Brendan as Darcy?? Haa ha ha ha ha ha ha....Darcy may well be arrogant and presumptious, but he's also decent, dignified and charitable. The closest i can think of, seriously, is Colin Jackson, but only because he appeared a bit aloof when he was at his most competitive, for the arrogant bit.

Elizabeth is meant to be attractive, but she was also independent of spirit and had a sparkly personality and a lot of sense about what is right and wrong and what was best for her and her family. Closest is probably Alesha.

Jane Austen never really described what the characters looked like, which is just as well as both my suggestions
are partly Afro-Carribean.

Oh yeah, Matt Cutler can be it! He's friendly and harmless, and that fits Matt's personality (and looks?) to a t.

Although not in the original book, I guess only someone who can look good in a wet shirt can be even *considered* to be Mr Darcy. None in this season's crop has that sort of nobility too...

I actually think that should Lisa be ten to fifteen years younger, she might fit Lizzy's role well for she has nice eyes.

I don't know if this has been said before but she reminds me of a young Penelope Keith

thank you verre much Gerre......... I just can't get it out of my head!

There's not much choice for the main roles imho, but here goes...

Darcy - Tom
Elizabeth Bennet - Christine
Bingley - Matt
Jane Bennet - Cherie (when she was younger )
Mr Bennett - John
Mrs Bennett - Tess (when she is older )
Wickham - James
Lydia - Lisa
William Collins - Darren
Georgiana - Rachel
Lady Catherine De Bourgh Camilla (when she is older )

But if we could choose from any season...

Darcy - Ramps
Elizabeth Bennet - Alesha
Bingley - James Martin
Jane Bennet - Natasha
Mr Bennett - Bill
Mrs Bennett - Esther
Wickham - Matt Di
Lydia - Kelly
William Collins - Dom
Georgiana - Rachel
Lady Catherine De Bourgh Stephanie

I'd have Ian as my Mr Darcy any day...

And although Darcy was haughty at the beginning, we all know he turned out to be a thoroughly decent chap and deeply romantic. So, given that Ian has the height and stature to evoke haughtiness physically, should he choose to do so, his true nature suits the part perfectly.

And apart from her 'fine eyes', Elizabeth's most notable characteristic was her intellect... so I think Jodie works well in that role, too, as she seems an eloquent soul.

Now, back to those Mr Darcy-Waite daydreams...

.Dom as William Collins.....ha brilliant......

Matt Di as Wickham.....nah.....he's more Bingley

Matt Di Angelo has a very young, devil-may-care, handsome, pretty-boy face. Just like Wickham. I know, Wickham is a jerk, but Matt's appearance fit this character like a t. I believe Matt is a good enough actor to pull this off.

He's too handsome to be Bingley, and too pretty (and not 'noble' enough) to be Darcy.

I think Stephanie to be Catherine de Burgh (sorry about the spelling).

Mmm..good points, certainly not arrogant enough for Bingley.

Stephanie would be brilliant

I can see your reasoning SCD-O

I have to say Ian would be a good Darcy.

And we are missing Lizzie's confidant Charlotte....Letitia Dean maybe?

I'm going to cheat now and not only use contestants from all series but combine looks and personality where necessary.

Darcy: Tom C's personality (confident, self-assured but could come across as smug) and Gethin's looks (tall and classically handsome)

Bingley: Aled Jones

Wickham: Really difficult. Have to say Matt di A is probably the best fit (sorry Matt). Good looking, a charmer but capable of throwing his toys out of the pram when things don't go his way.

Mr Bennett: John Sergeant really is the only choice

Mr Collins: Yep - agree with the Dom Littlewood selection

Elizabeth: Alesha's personality and Christine's looks

Jane: Rachel

Lydia: Louisa Lytton (with a touch of Tess thrown in)

Mrs Bennett: Jan Ravens

Charlotte Lucas: Letitia Dean is a good choice

Caroline Bingley: Gabby Logan

Lady Catherine: Stephanie Beacham (at her most Sable Colby)

LOL. Gabby is a good choice for Caroline!