麻豆社

As Jane Austen turns 250, Austen biographer and writer Dr Paula Byrne is joined by prominent thinkers, writers, directors who tell her about their encounters with the famous author. Each of her guests has been shaped, changed, and inspired by Austen. Paula's guests inspire her own reflections, drawn from the places that held special meaning for Austen herself. Today: Andrew Davies.

Before he became a prolific screenwriter, Andrew taught English. And one of the novels he liked to read aloud to his students was Pride and Prejudice. So when the opportunity came to write the now iconic 1995 screenplay he already had strong ideas about what the novel really was about. For him, it wasn't so much about etiquette and small gestures - this novel was about sex and power and money. He talks to Paula about how he wanted to amplify the role of Darcy, to make him a three dimensional man, and he tells Paula about his Darwinian readings of the character. Paula and Andrew reflect on what Austen saw as a good man - the kinds of heroes she respected. The discussion inspires a trip to the seaside, where Paula explores a possible real-life inspiration for Darcy. Paula and Andrew discuss whether Austen writes men well and whether she appeals to male readers and viewers.

Credit:
Pride and Prejudice (1995),
dir. Simon Langton,
麻豆社 TV, September/October 1995
Mr Darcy - Colin Firth
Elizabeth Bennet - Jennifer Ehle

Presenter: Dr Paula Byrne
Reader: Gemma Whelan
Producer: Camellia Sinclair