We Don't Need Another Pride & Prejudice Adaptation!

If you are unaware, it has recently been announced that there are two adaptations of Pride & Prejudice in the works. One by the BBC and the other by Netflix.

The BBC series (they are both series because apparently you can't just make movies anymore) is an interesting spinoff of P&P, called "The Other Bennet Sister" and is going to focus on Mary Bennet's story. This one I will admit sounds intriguing. I think it would be fun to see Mary's point of view of what happened in the story and the aftermath, as well as developing her own character and plot. I always thought that Mary and Mr Collins could have made a good match - especially with her characterization in the 1995 adaptation - so I am interested in seeing potential love interests for her (or not?!?!).

On the other hand, the Netflix series (which is said to be in very early stages of development) at this time seems to be a plain, old adaptation. Now, if you haven't seen Netflix's Persuasion adaptation (save yourself and don't watch it) or you are like me and have blocked it out of your memory because your senses were so offended, may I remind you how horrible it is by suggesting this read: My Most Anticipated Movie of 2022. I am deeply afraid of the damage Netflix is capable of doing - I really would not be able to handle another Persuasion 2022 situation.

On top of my fears of Netflix incompetent abilities to make a good Austen adaptation, I generally feel that it is unnecessary, espeically if it will be a straight adaptation. There are SO MANY Pride & Prejudice retellings, reimaginings, in both literaute and film/tv. Do we really need another? Plus the best adaptation has already been created - the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley (if you want to fight me, find me here). I doubt anything could top the 2005 version and I doubt it even more when it's being made by Netflix (I'm really not over Persuasion 2022! Could you tell?).

If I could make a suggestion though... adapt other Austen stories! I know Pride & Prejudice is the most popular of her books and therefore probably would be of interest to the most people, but I think there is a great lack of adaptations for the other books (especially when compared to the number of P&P adaptations).

Mansfield Park doesn't have an astounding adaptation. There is a few series - one from 1983 that is actually so horrible that I had to stop watching after one and a half episodes because it hurt to watch. There's the 1999 movie that is pretty good, but I think it could really get a good, beautiful, aesthetic adaptation that brings out Fanny's tragedy.

The 1995 Sense & Sensibility is kind of top tier and it might be hard to make a better adaptation but I am open to seeing someone try. Emma in a way is similar to P&P, it has two adaptations (along with some other lesser-known shows and what not), each with their own fanbases and one of which is ultimately better (it's the 2020 one - again, fight me). I think Northanger Abbey though could use a revamped adaptation, one that highlights some of the comedy in Catherine's naivety.

And finally, Persuasion. I have only seen the 2022 version, I know there are others, but seriously I think there could be a better adaptation. It is very likely that Persuasion will become my favourite Austen novel in the future and I would love to be able to see a visually stunning and equally heart-wrenching adaptation done in a way that Austen would've wanted.

Also if we could get a Sanditon film or tv adaptation where there wasn't incest that would be great too! (Story on Sanditon 2019: THIS IS NOT WHAT JANE WANTED).

In the end, I don't think this will stop people from continuing to make Pride & Prejudice adaptations, which is fine. And I will probably watch all and any movies or shows that do come out. So all I have left to say is when I come out with my own P&P adaptation in like 20 or 30 years, you are not allowed to be like "we have too my Pride & Prejudice adaptations" because I'll just send you back here.