Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has been adapted many times, from straightforward versions, like the classic BBC miniseries, to looser adaptations like Fire Island, to the Austen-horror mashup Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But, for many fans, the definitive adaptation is 2005's Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy (directed by Joe Wright). This year, the beloved film turns 20 years old, and to celebrate, it's being re-released in theaters. (It's also streaming on Netflix right now, fyi.)
In the two decades since Pride & Prejudice was released, a lot has gone on in its stars' careers—and I'm not just talking about Macfadyen and Knightley. The love story's cast is full of major names, some of whom were already famous and a couple who went from playing small roles in Pride & Prejudice to becoming movie stars in their own right. Here's a look at the Pride & Prejudice cast, then and now.
Keira Knightley
When Pride & Prejudice was released, Keira Knightley was only 20 years old. The actor was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance, and the role kicked off her journey as one of the go-to period piece stars. Her films include Atonement, Anna Karenina, and The Imitation Game, for which she was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Most recently, she starred in the movie Boston Strangler, as well as in the TV series Black Doves.
Matthew Macfadyen
From Mr. Darcy to Tom Wambsgans. Aside from playing one of the most famous romantic roles of all time, Macfadyen made a name for himself in a very different role with Tom, a power-hungry snob on Succession. For the role, Macfadyen won two Emmy Awards. As for movie roles, he recently appeared in Holland and in Deadpool & Wolverine. He also teamed up with Knightley for two more films: 2012's Anna Karenina and 2018's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
Rosamund Pike
Now on to the Bennet sisters. Elizabeth's older sister, Jane, is portrayed by Rosamund Pike. Pike is now probably best known for her starring role in 2014's Gone Girl, for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Other films from Pike include I Care A Lot, Saltburn, and this year's Hallow Road.
Talulah Riley
Talulah Riley plays middle sister Mary Bennet—the one who doesn't get a whole lot to do, tbh—in Pride & Prejudice. Riley's other roles include the movie Inception and the TV series Westworld. Her most recent role was in the 2022 Sex Pistol biographical miniseries Pistol in which she played fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.
Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan took on the role of the next Bennet sister, Kitty, who is mostly there to giggle with her sister Lydia. Starring roles for Mulligan came soon, though. She was nominated for her first of three noms for the Best Actress Oscar with 2009's An Education. She later was also nominated for 2020's Promising Young Woman and 2023's Maestro.
Jena Malone
Finally, the youngest Bennet sister, Lydia—the one who runs off and marries Mr. Wickham—is played by Jena Malone. Malone had already made a mark as a child actor before appearing in Pride & Prejudice thanks to films like Stepmom. She's also known as Johanna Mason in the Hunger Games franchise and most recently appeared in the movies Horizon: An American Saga and Love Lies Bleeding.
Donald Sutherland
Donald Sutherland plays the father of the Bennet siblings. The actor—seen here in 2019—passed away in 2024 at age 88. Sutherland had a decades-long career in Hollywood, but some of his post-Pride & Prejudice movies include Ad Astra, Moonfall, andthe Hunger Games franchise as President Snow.
Brenda Blethyn
Mrs. Bennet is portrayed by Brenda Blethyn. After Pride & Prejudice, the Oscar-nominated actor went on to act with her movie daughter Knightley again in Atonement—she played Robbie's (James McAvoy) mother. Blethyn currently stars in the British detective show Vera.
Simon Woods
Mr. Bingley, Jane's love interest and Mr. Darcy's friend, is played by Simon Woods. Woods' last onscreen role came only three years after Pride & Prejudice, and he has since become a playwright and director. His play, Hansard, debuted in 2019, and he directed the 2023 short film Such a Lovely Day.
Kelly Reilly
The role of Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline, went to Kelly Reilly, who Yellowstone fans know as Beth Dutton. In addition to the hit western series, Reilly also recently appeared in the movies A Haunting in Venice and Here.
Tom Hollander
Embarrassing cousin Mr. Collins—who none of the Bennets want to marry and not just because he's their relative—is played Tom Hollander. He recently appeared in the second season of The White Lotus and starred in Feud: Capote vs. the Swans as Truman Capote.
Claudie Blakley
There is one person who agrees to marry Mr. Collins, Elizabeth's friend, Charlotte, played by Claudie Blakley. Blakley has had roles in many British TV shows and currently stars in the mystery series Father Brown.
Judi Dench
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's love story gets off to a rough start, but it's almost completed stopped due to that messy Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Darcy's aunt is played by Judi Dench—Oscar-winning, Tony-winning, 70-year-career-spanning Judi Dench. Following Pride & Prejudice, you may have seen her as M in the James Bond franchise, in Belfast, and in Philomena.
Penelope Wilton
The Bennet sisters' aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, is played by Penelope Wilton. Downton Abbey fans will know Wilton best as Isobel Crawley. She also starred alongside Pride & Prejudice co-star Dench in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movies.
Peter Wight
Then we have Mr. Gardiner, the Bennets' uncle. Actor Peter Wight also popped up in Atonement with Knightley and Blethyn. His most recent projects include the TV show His Dark Materials and the 2021 movie Cyrano.
Rupert Friend
Rupert Friend plays Mr. Wickham—or, the guy who everyone thinks is better than Mr. Darcy only for it to be revealed that he's secretly awful. (Also, he marries Lydia. Sorry, Lydia.) Friend has also had roles in the films The Young Victoria, A Simple Favor, and Asteroid City, and in the TV show Homeland.
Tamzin Merchant
Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana, is played by Tamzin Merchant. She went on to star in another period piece, the TV series The Tudors, and also appeared in the shows Carnival Row and Supergirl.
