Pride and Prejudice comes alive! Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th with a star-studded twist

Jane Austen fans are in for a treat this month. Two centuries after her timeless novels first appeared, her work continues to captivate audiences worldwide. A new star-studded adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is set to bring the classic story to life in a way fans have never heard before.

Audiobook and podcast service Audible announced it would release the adaptation to mark the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth. The production will feature Marisa Abela as Elizabeth Bennett and Harris Dickinson as Mr Darcy, with Bill Nighy and Glenn Close among the all-star supporting cast.

Susannah Fullerton, president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, said Austen’s novels remained relevant due to their timeless insights into human nature.

'We're not driving around in carriages and women don't have the same pressure to get married, but there are still so many things that she writes about that are incredibly relevant in our world today,' Mrs Fullerton said.

'I mean, you know, working out who a true friend is, whether somebody's a false friend or a real friend... coping with difficult or embarrassing parents, dealing with a difficult boss like Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice... all these things are still really important in our lives today.'

Mrs Fullerton, 65, first discovered Austen when her mother bought her a copy of Pride and Prejudice, and she described it as a life-changing experience.

The writer and literary lecturer, who received an Order of Australia Medal for services to literature in 2017, said Austen had an exceptional understanding of people.

The Jane Austen Society is the largest literary society in Australia, boasting around 600 members, with roughly 150 attending each meeting. Mrs Fullerton’s love of Austen has led her to travel globally, collecting books and memorabilia, including multiple visits to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England.

Her collection includes hundreds of books and various editions of Austen’s novels, alongside quirkier items such as mugs with quotes and a Jane Austen bath duck.

'She's changed my life in so many ways, and her books have just given me enormous joy. I always reread them with huge pleasure.'

This year’s 250th anniversary celebrations will include the Audible adaptation, as well as several Jane Austen-themed series and new Netflix adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

The Audible version will feature a cinematic score and is scheduled for release on 9 September.

Austen’s work continues to connect readers to timeless stories of friendship, love, and human nature—how do you see her relevance in today’s world?