It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must surely be in want of a… dog?
What Jane Austen would have made of this is anyone’s guess.
But these exclusive pictures show Emma Corrin for the first time as Elizabeth Bennet in Netflix’s new production of Austen’s Pride And Prejudice – and they suggest The Crown star is taking the character’s sharp wit and independent spirit to heart.
Emma, in period costume and curly wig, was seen cuddling beloved dog Spencer between takes on set – proving, just as in the novel, that important relationships can take many forms.
The star was later spotted on a rooftop looking even less like a Georgian heroine, laughing with Freya Mavor, who plays Elizabeth Bennet’s sister Jane, and eating a banana.
Emma also appeared to grimace with trepidation while gingerly descending some scaffolding.
Emma Corrin cuddles their pet dog as they’re seen for the first time as Elizabeth Bennet on the set of Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice
The film star transformed into the character of Elizabeth and the exclusive pictures suggest The Crown star is taking the character’s sharp wit and independent spirit to heart
Emma got into character as she donned a period costume and curly wig
The 29-year-old, who won plaudits playing a young Princess Diana in The Crown, is often seen walking Spencer near their home in Margate and in north London, where the actor shared a £5million home with Bohemian Rhapsody Oscar winner Rami Malek, 44.
But like Lizzy Bennet, the star’s love life has become tangled, splitting with Malek earlier this year and now said to be dating Zachary Hart, who appeared with Emma on stage in a production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull.
The hotly anticipated adaptation of Austen’s 1813 novel is also set to star Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden as eligible Mr Darcy and Olivia Colman as Emma’s determined mother Mrs Bennet.
Other star names released by Netflix include Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet and Killing Eve’s Fiona Shaw as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Sadly for some, Jack Lowden will not replicate Colin Firth’s famous scene from the 1995 TV adaptation, which saw him emerge dripping wet from a lake – getting female viewers’ hearts racing.
This year marks 250 years since Austen’s birth. The six-part Netflix series, written by Dolly Alderton, will be on screens early next year.
However, Netflix recently sparked uproar after releasing a first look at the casting for the new Pride & Prejudice series – with some fans now threatening to boycott it altogether.
On Friday, Netflix shared a picture on social media of the Bennet women on set.
Emma was seen cuddling beloved dog Spencer between takes on set – proving, just as in the novel, that important relationships can take many forms
The 29-year-old, who won plaudits playing a young Princess Diana in The Crown, is often seen walking Spencer near their home in Margate and in north London
The star was later spotted on a rooftop looking even less like a Georgian heroine, laughing with Freya Mavor, who plays Elizabeth Bennet’s sister Jane, and eating a banana
Emma ensured they had one of their five-a-day as they scoffed the banana while chatting to their co-star
The films stars shared a quiet moment as they took in the view below
The onscreen Bennet sisters appeared as close as their characters
Freya and Emma smiled at each other and giggled as they filmed the first scenes as the two eldest Bennet sisters
Freya was seen holding a vintage monocular telescope amid filming
The actress looked out of the telescope while Emma watched on
Freya was certainly enjoying using the telescope on the set of the series
The onscreen sisters then shared a warm embrace
‘We know you’ve been yearning for a sneak peek. Pride & Prejudice is officially in production,’ the post read.
‘Here’s a first look featuring Emma Corrin, Freya Mavor, Olivia Colman, Hopey Parish, Rhea Norwood and Hollie Avery as the Bennet women.’
But fans immediately rushed to the comments to express their distaste at the prospect as one wrote: ‘Not to self: unsubscribe from Netflix immediately, today,’ someone wrote.
‘This casting is awful what the f**k,’ another added.
‘You cannot be serious,’ someone else said.
‘Oh help… praying this isn’t a cock up like Persuasion.
‘Actually scratch that… this is a reminder to me to unsubscribe,’ another shared.
Other members of the cast include Jamie Demetriou as Mr Collins, Daryl McCormack as Mr Bingley, and Louis Partridge as Mr Wickham, per Variety.
Emma also appeared to grimace with trepidation while gingerly descending some scaffolding
The actor was surrounded by cast and crew as they gingerly made their way down the steps
While Freya had no issues with the steps, Emma appeared to be much more trepidatious
Freya was seen showing her support for her co-star who was struggling with the steps
Emma was in great spirits as they smiled on the set of the adaptation
This year marks 250 years since Austen’s birth. The six-part Netflix series, written by Dolly Alderton, will be on screens early next year
![Netflix recently sparked uproar after releasing a first look at the casting for the new Pride & Prejudice series - with some fans now threatening to boycott the steamer altogether [L-R Emma as Elizabeth, Freya as Jane, Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet, Hopey Parish as Mary, Rhea Norwood as Lydia and Hollie Avery as Kitty]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/08/02/20/100731891-0-Netflix_has_sparked_uproar_after_releasing_a_first_look_at_the_c-a-47_1754164197894.jpg "Emma Corrin Spotted as Elizabeth Bennet on Netflix's Pride and Prejudice Set 24")
Netflix recently sparked uproar after releasing a first look at the casting for the new Pride & Prejudice series – with some fans now threatening to boycott the steamer altogether [L-R Emma as Elizabeth, Freya as Jane, Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet, Hopey Parish as Mary, Rhea Norwood as Lydia and Hollie Avery as Kitty]
More actors include Rhea Norwood as Lydia Bennet and Siena Kelly as Caroline Bingley, while Hopey Parish and Hollie Avery are making their acting debuts as Mary Bennet and Kitty Bennet respectively.
The director and screenwriter of Heartstopper, Euros Lyn and Dolly Alderton, respectively, are taking on the series.
‘Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story, and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it,’ Alderton said in a statement, per the outlet.
‘Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.’
The limited series will finish filming in the UK at the end of 2025, per What’s On Netflix.
