Actor Jack Lowden has said he enjoys the idea of “breaking down barriers” by playing a ginger-haired Mr Darcy in a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
The 34-year-old Scottish actor, known for his work in Dunkirk and Slow Horses, joked that “it is one of the great last barriers to break down” during a recent interview, where he appeared alongside fellow British actor Martin Freeman. Their conversation also covered training experiences with an ex-MI6 officer and details about their forthcoming West End production.
Speaking about his role in Netflix’s upcoming six-part series, Lowden reflected on the legacy of Mr Darcy and acknowledged the pressure that comes with portraying one of literature’s most iconic romantic heroes. He mentioned that he might look to previous interpretations for inspiration.
“I quite like the idea of being a ginger Darcy,” Lowden said. “I think that is really breaking down barriers – one of the great last barriers to be broken down.”
Sitting alongside him, a smiling Freeman, aged 53, said he “agreed” with the notion, adding a humorous touch to the discussion.
Lowden continued, “I quite like the idea of me coming along and doing something else with it. Or just copying one of them because some of the guys who played it are amongst the best. Matthew Macfadyen, to me, is one of the best actors on the planet. So if I just try to copy him – maybe that’s alright?”
“But ginger?” Freeman asked, prompting Lowden to reply, “Ginger. Yep, change it up.”
Lowden and Freeman are set to star together in The Fifth Step, a new play written by David Ireland, which will premiere at Soho Place Theatre on 12 May. The drama explores the relationship between an alcoholic and his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. Interestingly, the pair revealed that they had not met in person before agreeing to work together on the project.
Lowden shared his enthusiasm for the play’s dark humour, remarking that laughter remains a powerful tool for coping with difficult experiences. “It may sound corny,” he said, “but laughter really is the best medicine. It’s a way of self-healing.”
During the wide-ranging conversation, Lowden also discussed his experiences while filming Slow Horses, the Bafta-nominated series that centres on intelligence agents who have been cast aside by MI5.
To prepare for his role, Lowden revealed that he and the cast had been trained in spycraft techniques by a former MI6 officer. “We did a day with an ex-MI6 officer who was helping us to train in the art of surveillance and counter-surveillance,” he said. “Walking along and following a mark.”
He recalled a particularly memorable moment during the training session: “He gave us a lecture for a bit and then said ‘right, we are going to go outside and do this.’ But then he pulled the shutters up on the window, saw that it was raining and said ‘oh no, maybe we shouldn’t’.”
Lowden laughed as he added, “So MI6 don’t operate a lot in the rain. Maybe it’s because they’re abroad a lot.”
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Freeman also shared some of his personal experiences with being followed in public. “Just by people, sometimes following you around,” he said. “They think you don’t know and of course you do know.”
Freeman explained that these incidents are “less scary and more annoying” than anything else. “It’s annoying because they think you don’t know they are doing it,” he said. “So occasionally I do just turn round and go ‘look, what do you want?'”
He emphasised the importance of addressing the situation calmly and reasonably. “I try to be reasonable with people and say ‘look, I am not a prop’.”
Lowden, who has been mentioned in discussions about future candidates for the role of James Bond, continues to build an impressive career on both stage and screen. With his upcoming portrayal of Mr Darcy offering a fresh twist, audiences are eager to see how he will make the character his own.
Netflix’s new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice aims to bring a contemporary energy to the classic novel while maintaining the essence of Austen’s original story. With Lowden’s natural charisma and a willingness to challenge tradition, the project promises to offer a memorable new portrayal of one of English literature’s most beloved figures.
