Hollywood is filled with stories of actors who’ve brought iconic characters to life and left their mark on cinema. One such tale is that of Matthew Macfadyen, who portrayed Mr. Darcy in Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Despite the film’s critical and commercial success, Macfadyen has revealed a struggle with the role that’s since become a defining part of his career.
Matthew Macfadyen felt “miscast” as Mr. Darcy
In an interview with CBS Mornings, Matthew Macfadyen admitted he “didn’t really” enjoy playing the part of Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, in which he co-starred alongside Keira Knightly. “I feel bad saying that,” he explained. “There were moments I had a good time, but I wish I’d enjoyed it more. I wish I was less worried about it.”
The actor’s anxiety during filming stemmed from a sense of being miscast as the famed literary character. “I just felt a bit miscast. I’m not dishy enough,” he continued. “But it worked out.”
Matthew Macfadyen has come to appreciate the role
Despite his reservations at the time, Matthew Macfadyen has come to appreciate portraying Mr. Darcy more as years have passed. When fans recognize him for the role, he revealed it’s “probably the most flattering thing that happens to me.”
He went on to joke, “It’s a good 20 years later, so I think I can’t be aging that badly.”
Joe Wright felt Matthew Macfadyen was the perfect Mr. Darcy
Joe Wright, who directed the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, offered insight into the casting choices that shaped the film. He explained that casting Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet gave him the flexibility to cast Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.
“I think Matthew is obviously less of a star than Keira, and so if she hadn’t been playing Elizabeth, I’m not sure I’d been allowed to cast Matthew [as Darcy],” Wright explained in an interview with MovieFreak. “So, it kind of worked like that. You try to balance it out as much as you can.”
Joe Wright holds Matthew Macfadyen in high regard
Joe Wright holds Matthew Macfadyen in high regard, calling him “one of the best actors of his generation in England.” He’s even praised the actor’s approach when it came to portraying Mr. Darcy.
“He’s the least vain actor you’ve ever met in your life and he wasn’t coming onto this trying to portray an icon, he was coming on to play a character in the same way he would, had he been approaching Hamlet or any other great role,” the director explained.
Success of Pride & Prejudice (2005)
The 2005 adaptation of the beloved Jane Austen novel quickly became a box office success, earning over $120 million worldwide. Keira Knightley’s performance as Elizabeth Bennet was widely acclaimed, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The film’s success cemented its status as a cherished adaptation of Austen’s work, with Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy standing out as a memorable and nuanced performance, despite his initial doubts.
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Despite his hesitations, Macfayden remains one of audiences’ top cinematic portrayals of Mr. Darcy.