Sorry ladies - social historians believe the 'real Mr. Darcy' would have been rather pale and weedy, with white powdered hair.
Colin Firth’s famous portrayal of the dashing Mr. Darcy in the BBC’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’ sent many hearts a-flutter over two decades ago. But now, social and contemporary fashion experts believe that he would actually have looked very different.
Their conclusions were generated into a picture form by illustrator Nick Hardcastle in what is a quite disappointing image of what the “real” Mr. Darcy – a fictional character, after all – would actually have looked like.
Colin Firth's smouldering portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 'Pride and Prejudice' series was probably inaccurate
Evidence in Austen’s original 1813 novel is actually quite thin on the ground, with the author providing few clues as to his actual physical appearance. The first description is that Mr. Darcy is “good looking and gentlemanlike”. However, with an ambiguous add-on, Austen writes:
“Mr Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year.”
Casting directors for the many film and TV versions have generally interpreted this to mean that the socialite is rugged and handsome, but the panel of experts commissioned by the Drama Channel believe the Mr. Darcy that Austen actually envisaged would have been rather pale and weedy, tall with sloped shoulders and white powdered hair.
More: Colin Firth in talks to join ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ cast
The broad shoulders and muscular chest associated with Firth’s portrayal in the 1995 BBC re-make – the one that inspired Helen Fielding to create the Mark Darcy character for ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ and whom Firth also played – would in Georgian times have denoted hard-working outdoor manual labouring and would not have been considered attractive qualities for a man of leisure.
“As Austen wrote ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in the 1790s, our Mr. Darcy portrayal reflects the male physique and common features at the time. Men who sported powdered hair, had narrow jaws and muscular, defined legs were considered very attractive. A stark contrast to the chiselled, dark, brooding Colin Firth portrayal we associate the character with today.”
The research’s conclusions were released in time for Valentine’s Day, with the Drama Channel launching its Jane Austen season on February 14th.
Donald Crowhurst is an amateur sailor whose ambition eclipses his financial woes. When he comes...
Two years ago, Kingsman: The Secret Service seemed to come out of nowhere, ruffling feathers...
For those who knew him, Gary Unwin (better known as Eggsy to his friends), was...
While this film tackles a huge issue in the history of race relations in America,...
As it's been 12 years since the last Bridget Jones movie, expectations aren't too high...
Bridget has always known how to get herself into a muddle - catastrophic muddles at...
Almost forensic in its approach, this smart thriller explores a drone strike from a variety...
Thomas Wolfe was a writer who was used to rejection. His constantly lengthy novels didn't...
After battling the dating scene and finally finding love with Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones is...
With virtually the same tone as they used in their superhero spoof Kick-Ass, filmmakers Matthew...
After the high of last year's Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen is back in playful mode...
A clever premise can't help but grab the audience's attention as this mystery-thriller plays with...
Christine Lucas is suffering from a complicated form of amnesia whereby she cannot remember anything...
Based on the events documented in West of Memphis and the Paradise Lost trilogy, this...