To think the new Mr knightly has finally toppled Firth's Darcy from his throne?

[heatherpot]

I know it's not really new but this weekend I saw the newest version of Emma and, after years and years of Colin Firth's Mr Darcy being my number one Austen inspired crush he has finally been usurped by Johnny Flynn as Knightly. The dance scene and finding out he was really playing the violin are my new coming out of the lake.

I'm not being unreasonable am I?

And yes! to a new Persuasion! And not a modern remake, proper Regency stuff of dreams!

@DoubleTweenQueen

Alan Rickman reciting Spenser will never be bettered. Beautiful voice.

Oh no he sounds like he has a potato lodged in his throat whenever he speaks. Totally ruined that version of Sense and Sensibility for me.

I love the rest of the cast except him. Especially Willoughby - he’s the only actor cast in any of the versions that I thought had the attractiveness and presence to make it understandable how an otherwise “proper” lady could lose all decorum in pursuit of him.

God yes. And the scene where he's so overcome by his feelings for Emma that he has to tear off half his clothes and lie down flat on the floor. Incredibly sexy.

His music is bloody brilliant as well.

Having said that, I'm a bit biased because I think the BBC P&P is overrated. The 2005 version is much better imo.

I think all the Austen adaptations are perfect lockdown viewing. Lovely scenery and clothes, but also loads of seemingly odd restrictions and rules. Enough hardship to make you feel grateful that we at least have running water, heat and Netflix - but unlike other classic novels a guaranteed happy ending.

I'd love a new Northanger Abbey too it's a very underrated book

I love the rest of the cast except him. Especially Willoughby - he’s the only actor cast in any of the versions that I thought had the attractiveness and presence to make it understandable how an otherwise “proper” lady could lose all decorum in pursuit of him.

I was quite tickled that Emma Thompson bagged Willoughby in RL!

@HarryDresdensLeatherDuster

No.

Just no.

I've not even seen the new Emma yet, but... ^^

just watched p and p again with my 9 year old daughter! She loved it!! (and colin!!)

Another Jeremy Northam fan here. He was the perfect Mr. Knightley. But I also like Jonny Lee Miller and Johnny Flynn. And Bill Nighy is worth the price of admission in the newer Emma.

And then someone mentioned Ciaran Hinds. The definitive Captain Wentworth. That's my favorite Austen hero on film of them all.

I was so pleased to read that Colin Firth was 60 last year, I feel much less pervy, being only 12 years older!

Nothing will ever beat Richard Armitage as Mr Thornton in North & South untying his cravat, I'm sorry. Darcy does well but doesn't hold a candle to that moment. I've not seen Emma so can't comment.

Laughing at @Dannydevitoiloveyourart’s Rickman with a potato lodged in his throat. It’s true that regardless of the role, his speech is weirdly distinctive. My eight year old sometimes does ‘Snape asking someone to pass the cornflakes’ (‘’Pass — the corn...flakes...’) or ‘Hans Grueber counting to three’ (‘There will not be a four...’) Even as Brandon, an ordinary enough, upright character, some of his intonations are just odd.

Johnny Lee Miller is gorgeous

Yabu. Also Jeremy Northam saying 'badly done Emma' 😍😍😍

Oooh I love Alan Rickman’s voice! (“Mr.....Potter”!😂)

@Mn753

Yabu. Also Jeremy Northam saying 'badly done Emma' 😍😍😍

Definitely

No no he’s too fair . Definitely Colin Firth . He was excellent at brooding. Colin Firth can sing too (Mama Mia?)

@Mn753

Yabu. Also Jeremy Northam saying 'badly done Emma' 😍😍😍

That's his worst bit - patronising overload. 'I'm not angry, I'm disappointed!' I fail to see how they ever had sex after that scene...

I loved the new Emma! I thought the comedy was perfect and Bill Nighy absolutely made it. The way he said 'In-NO-cence? Innocence. No?' cracked me up.

I voted YANBU but really they are probably equal. They both do 'tousled' quite well.

Love Johnny Flynn as a singer.

I think he wrote the music for the new version of Worzel Gummidge. Talented bloke,

Ciaran Hinds is so perfect in Persuasion that I was convinced Captain Wentworrh had appeared in GOT. It's my favourite of her novels, and I don't say that lightly.

Flynn was surprisingly superb in Emma. And sexy as hell at times. So sexy that I did wonder how Emma could have failed to notice for so long.

Ciaran Hinds is most definitely the best Wentworth. That version of Persuasion will always be the betvall round for me. I liked the Penry-Jones version, but the Hinds version feels more authentic.

I think Austen has been done to death now. And the 1995 P and P will never be surpassed.

David Bamber as Collins is unforgettable.

I loved Johnny Flynn in the Detectorists. He sang the theme song in the pub Open Mike session before Andy and Lance performed New Age Girl. I think he is a friend of MacKenzie Crook

Nah, that baby face could never smoulder like Colin's.

David Bamber as Collins is unforgettable.

Without a doubt the definitive Mr Collins.