The Ultimate Austen Anniversary: My Top 3 Pride & Prejudice Adaptations
It is a monumental year for literature lovers. 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen herself. Somehow this woman, who was born in 1775, understood human nature so perfectly that her characters still resonate with us today.
But this year also brings other very special anniversaries for those of us of a certain generation. We are celebrating 30 years since the definitive, iconic, and utterly superb 1995 BBC miniseries graced our screens, and 20 years of the 2005 feature film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
It is a testament to Austen’s enduring genius that her story of wit, class, and first impressions can be told over and over again without losing its spark. To celebrate this milestone year, here are my personal top three favourite adaptations that prove an ardent love story can translate across any century, medium, or context.
🥉 Number 3: Fire Island (2022 Film)
Proof that Austen's themes of class and first impressions are just as potent in modern-day Fire Island as they were in Regency England
This is the newest addition to my favorites list, and I fell intensely hard for it—so much so that I watched it twice in 24 hours!
What I loved about Fire Island is how beautifully it translated the core story into a modern LGBTQ+ context. The themes of class tension, judgy first impressions, and deep loyalty between friends (our modern Bennet sisters) were all there, perfectly set against the backdrop of the iconic New York vacation spot.
It serves as a brilliant example of how universal the structure of Pride and Prejudice really is. It reminded me of how the Bollywood-inspired Bride and Prejudice adapted the story for an Indian context years ago. The ability of this narrative to seamlessly shift into different cultural and social settings is the ultimate proof of Austen's original brilliance.
Bride and Prejudice
A vibrant, global reimagining: Bride and Prejudice proved that the Bennet family’s dynamics are truly universal.
🥈 Number 2: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2013 YouTube Series)
Talk about a masterclass in modern storytelling! I stumbled upon The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (LBD) by accident after it had already concluded, and I immediately marveled at its ingenuity. (So did the Emmy Board, as they won an award for it in 2013!)
Telling the story through scripted vlogs, tweets, and other social media platforms was a stroke of genius. It was a pitch-perfect demonstration of how to bring a classic novel into the digital age without losing its soul.
The writers also absolutely nailed the characterisation. For me, this series provided the absolute best—and, in my opinion, the only likable version of Lydia Bennet. By giving her a platform to tell her own side of the story, they turned a usually infuriating character into someone complex and sympathetic.
🥇 Number 1: Pride and Prejudice (1995 BBC Miniseries)
Could it ever be anything else?
For fidelity, atmosphere, and casting, nothing beats the 1995 series. It is seven hours of complete bliss. It was the production that truly brought the text alive for me.
I was 15 years old when I first watched it in school while we were reading the book for my GCSEs. Hearing those wonderful lines spoken aloud—like Darcy's iconic "I ardently love you"—was positively swoon-worthy.
However, I have a confession to make. At 15, while my peers (and most of the world) were swooning over Colin Firth emerging from a lake, I didn't. Unfortunately, I fell for Wickham. Apparently, teenage me just had a thing for charming rogues!
The Best of the Rest…
I've watched so many other versions over the years, including several Hallmark Christmas movie retellings that are fun fluff.
But I must admit a controversial opinion: I have never managed to finish the 2005 film. It is simply not my cup of tea. And while I am very wary of the upcoming Netflix adaptation, Lord knows I will be seated and ready to watch the moment it drops.
A true Austen fan always shows up, even after 250 years.
What is your definitive Pride and Prejudice adaptation? Let me know in the comments