Worst...Casting...Eve r


I seriously love all things Austen and have been to every place mentioned in P&P. I've read 20 years worth of book sequels. I absolutely hated Death comes to Pemberley. The characters are written with absurdly different personalities. In this mini-series, Elizabeth is soft spoken and has none of the charm and whit she is famous for. Anna Maxwell Martin was not only to old, but looked like a drudge. Matthew Rhys brought nothing to Darcy, the guy who played Colonel F.. didn't change his expression the whole time. Not to say the acting was all bad,, just miscast everyone..

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I agree. Every time I looked at the actress playing Elizabeth it took me right out of the story - she was way too old, too drab, and had no fire or those fine eyes that Darcy loved so much. The character of Darcy was too shrill and angry for me - not at all like the Darcy from the book, and I agree about the Colonel. All in all, I don't think they did a good job with the characters.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Morgana0x

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I couldn't believe who they cast as Elizabeth, she looked like a starved aging servant. Elizabeth is supposed to be pretty, she's just not as beautiful as Jane.

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I also agree, the casting was terrible.
I was terribly disappointed, and I hope that there will be a remake sometime that is more respectful of Austen's characterizations.

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[deleted]

miscast everyone..


Everyone, even Lydia?

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Except for one actress, the cast was fine.
The problem was Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth.
She is talented but cannot be convincing as a "beauty".

Maxwell Martin's face became so distracting that I could barely tolerate it.
It was sad because overall this was a fine production.
- My way of dealing with this was to imagine that Michelle Dockery from Downton Abbey was playing Elizabeth.
That would have been perfect.

BB ;-)

it is just in my opinion - imo - 🌈

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I just came to this page to make the exact same post as the OP! The casting was dreadful, it ruined the whole thing for me.
Elizabeth was known for her whit and spirited personality and for a certain look.
They must have searched the UK up and down to find the dowdiest actress to play her, with the looks and charisma of an old tin bucket!

The casting for the rest of the ensemble wasn't much better. Darcy was supposedly; tall, dark, handsome and brooding. This Darcy had none of that! Bad casting and poor directing...

I don't blame the actors, I blame the casting director and director.

This could have been great, but it was just barely ok.

;Equitare, arcum tendere,veritatem dicere.

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I liked Rhys as Darcy, I think he played him perfectly.

As for Elizabeth, yes she was older looking and perhaps not typically beautiful. At the same time, her acting was wonderful so I'd take that over a hot girl that can't act any day.

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The first time you see Darcy in this show, he is screaming at his staff, and at Elizabeth. Darcy's fatal flaw in the novels was his pride, and his reservation. He was tight-lipped and severe around strangers, but beloved by his servants. I just could not reconcile the Darcy Austen described with this blusterer.

I agree that Anna Maxwell Martin is not right for the part of Elizabeth, either. She is a fine actress, and I like her in other roles, but she does not portray the "wit and vivacity" so intrinsic Elizabeth Bennet.

I wanted to like this series, but I couldn't make it past the first episode because of the miscasting of the two main characters.

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And to think it's actually a tad more entertaining than the book!

http://currentscene.wordpress.com

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Yes, Elizabeth lacked any charm and spirit in this. And her wardrobe was particularly awful.

Darcy did not seem reserved and kind at all. When the coachman come back with the horses and carriage after the murder, Darcy scolds him, and then says that he shall be taken to the place at once.
The poor man answers that the horses are tired and terrified.

Darcy answers in a nasty voice: "Your job is to get them under control, and do as I say. Is that understood?"
P&P Darcy would never talk to a coachman like this and he most definately would not expect the terrified horses do go back.

And the coachman does not work for Darcy, unless Darcy also owns the inn where the coachman works.

A horrible portrayal of Darcy, both regarding looks and manner.

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