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Netflix has dropped the first trailer for its new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. But will the upcoming six-part limited series replace previous, much-beloved versions in the hearts of viewers? Or will it suffer the same fate as the streamer’s maligned 2022 movie Persuasion?

Jane Austen’s enduring novel of romance and social mores has seen multiple screen adaptations, including the 1995 BBC series starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and the 2004 movie with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as the romantic leads. 

Now, a new generation is getting their own Pride and Prejudice, with Emma Corrin as the spirited Elizabeth and Jack Lowden as the severe Mr. Darcy. Supporting cast members include Rufus Sewell and Olivia Colman as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth’s sisters are portrayed by Hopey Parish (Mary), Hollie Avery (Kitty), Rhea Norwood (Lydia), and Freya Mavor (Jane). Jamie Demetriou plays the unwelcome suitor Mr. Collins, Daryl McCormack is the good-natured Mr. Bingley, and Louis Partridge plays the duplicitous rake Mr. Wickham. 

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The acclaimed cast and a script from best-selling author Dolly Alderton have created high hopes for 2026’s Pride and Prejudice, which is directed by Euros Lyn. But the bad taste left by 2022’s misguided take on Austen’s Persuasion has some people skeptical that Netflix will manage to capture the special magic of the classic 1813 novel. 

Persuasion starred Dakota Johnson as Anne Elliot, the put-upon daughter of a snobbish, spendthrift baronet who regrets being persuaded to turn down a marriage proposal from a man her family and friends felt was beneath her. Director Carrie Cracknell’s take on Austen’s final, meditative novel was derided for its fourth-wall-breaking protagonist, modern dialogue, feeble attempts at comedy, and bland costumes. The decision to reimagine Anne as a wry, rom-com heroine rather than Austen’s quiet, thoughtful lead character was seen as a misreading of the novel, with some wondering if anyone involved in the production had even bothered to read the source material. Critics slammed it as “out of touch,” “a complete mess,” and “hollow.” Many viewer reviews were equally scathing.

Can Netflix avoid the same mistakes with Pride and Prejudice? Some people are skeptical. 

“Please, Netflix, don’t [screw] this one up like you did with your version of “Persuasion” back in 2022,” one person commented after the trailer was released on YouTube.

“Where is the spark, the yearning, I see none from Mr. Darcy,” another wrote.

“After the absolute sh*t-show that was Netflix Persuasion, I’m very unsure about trusting them with another Austen adaptation,” a skeptic commented on Reddit, adding that they did not see how it was possible to improve on either the 1995 or 2004 adaptations, though they did approve of Colman’s casting as Mrs. Bennet.

The casting choices in general had some Pride and Prejudice fans scratching their heads. While most said they intended to watch, many people online felt that Corrin was miscast and lacked the spark necessary to bring Lizzie Bennet to life. Others felt Lowden was an uninspired choice for Darcy and tht Partridge was too young to play Wickham, who charms Elizabeth and eventually leads one of her younger sisters astray. But the choices of actors to play Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet were widely praised. 

However, some people were simply eager to see another version of a favorite story, pointing out that it likely wouldn’t be the last take on Pride and Prejudice. 

“Guys, of course we’re going to keep remaking this, it’s the ultimate love story,” one person wrote on Instagram. “2005 wasn’t the first one and it won’t be the last. Let new generations fall in love with things.” 

Pride and Prejudice premieres December 3 on Netflix. 

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