It’s confirmed, FX ‘The Americans’ Matthew Rhys will be the latest actor to play the role of Mr. Darcy in PBS’s ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’.
‘Death Comes to Pemberley’ is an adaptation of PD James’s novel. It is set six years after the events of the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ . It shows married couple Elizabeth (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) and Fitzwilliam Darcy.
But Matthew says that portraying an iconic role can be problematic, as people will be comparing him to Colin Firth who played Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
Colin Firth became an instant sex symbol thanks to one scene where he emerged from a lake wearing a white shirt. Matthew says that he doesn’t intent to copy what Colin has previously done. Obviously, Rhys will have big shoes to fill as Colin Firth is considered as one of the best actors today, thanks to his various roles and ultimately, for his Oscar Award Winning performance in ‘The King’s Speech’.
Mr. Rhys had this to say: “I can wholeheartedly say I won’t be competing with Mr. Firth emerging from a lake in a dripping white shirt – thankfully – because I don’t think anyone can top him.”
Matthew Rhys is a very talented actor and it is evidenced by his shows ‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘The Americans’ and now ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’. We wish you the best luck to your new endeavor!
