Pride and Prejudice

In early 19th century England, Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters vie for the affections of rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, who have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to eldest daughter Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with second-eldest Elizabeth.

Pride and Prejudice (1980) is a British period drama miniseries created by Fay Weldon for BBC Two, adapted from the Jane Austen novel. Elizabeth Garvie plays the sharp-witted second Bennet daughter Elizabeth, who refuses to be hurried into a marriage for mere security, while David Rintoul plays the proud, status-conscious Mr Darcy. Moray Watson and Priscilla Morgan play her amusing, anxious parents, and Sabina Franklyn plays the gentle eldest sister Jane, whose romance with the affable Mr Bingley sets the story in motion. The engine of the five-episode run is the tension between pride and first impressions: awkward dinners, country balls, card parties and letters in which misjudgements pile up and social rules constrain every choice. Set in early nineteenth century Georgian England, a rural neighbourhood of gentry families where marriage is an economic negotiation, the series unfolds in a measured, witty and sincerely romantic register, with a warm satirical edge toward manners and money. Fans of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, North and South and Emma will find resonance in its blend of social comedy and slow-burning romance. Its single season of five episodes makes it a compact, self-contained literary costume drama.

• Pride and Prejudice (1995)shared period drama tones, Regency-era marriage plotting, witty class satire
• North and Southshared literary costume drama form, romantic tension between class-divided couples
• Emmashared Georgian-era social comedy and marriage-market drama
• Cranfordshared British period drama tradition with restrained romance and manners

Created by

Fay Weldon

Release Date

1980-01-13

Episode runtime

55 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (28)

What is Pride and Prejudice about?

A five-part 1980 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's novel in which the Bennet sisters navigate courtship and class in Regency England.

What is Pride and Prejudice like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Pride and Prejudice as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Pride and Prejudice violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Pride and Prejudice.

Which shows are like Pride and Prejudice?

Shows with a similar feel include Pride and Prejudice (1995), North and South, Emma, and Cranford.

How long is Pride and Prejudice?

Pride and Prejudice: 1 season, 5 episodes.

Is Pride and Prejudice still running?

No, Pride and Prejudice has ended.

Where can I watch Pride and Prejudice?

In United States, Pride and Prejudice streams on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, BritBox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV.