DMU film Expert Featured in Documentary Celebrating 30 Years of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice
LEICESTER, UK – September 24, 2025 - A new film exploring the making of the BBC’s landmark 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen‘s Pride and Prejudice features insights from key figures involved in the production, including screenwriter Andrew davies. The documentary coincides with the 30th anniversary of the series, which catapulted Colin Firth to stardom with its iconic lake scene – a moment not found in Austen’s original novel.
The film reunites Davies with producer Susie Conklin, director Crispin Bonham-Carter, and actress Susannah Harker, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the adaptation’s creation and enduring legacy. Justin Smith, speaking about the project, stated: “It was an absolute pleasure to reunite Andrew Davies, Susie Conklin, Crispin Bonham-Carter and Susannah Harker…It’s obvious in the film how precious this particular adaptation was for each of them at the time.”
Davies reveals the now-famous lake scene wasn’t intended as a “sexy moment,” but rather a visualization of Mr. Darcy’s emotional state. “I just had this idea because I was continually trying to think ‘what’s Darcy feeling?’,” Davies explains in the film. “He must have been so glad to get a day of his own…He sees his lake, and he thinks there’s my lake. I know what I would like to do. I would like to just take everything off and plunge into the cool water and forget about everything, except the fact that I’m alive.”
The documentary draws upon archival materials held at De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, including original screenplays by Davies and papers from producer Sue Birtwistle, housed within the kimberlin Library’s Special Collections. These materials have also contributed to Austenmania! – a year-long exhibition at Jane Austen’s House celebrating the 1995 adaptations of Pride and Prejudice,Sense and Sensibility,Persuasion,and Clueless.
The film is currently available to view on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI127I73mWU. an online version of the Austenmania! exhibition can be found here: https://janeaustens.house/online-exhibition/austenmania/.
