Matthew Macfadyen ‘Felt a Bit Miscast’ as Mr. Darcy in ‘Pride & Prejudice’: ‘I’m Not Dishy Enough’

As a devoted cinephile with a deep appreciation for British acting talent, I must confess that Matthew Macfadyen‘s admission of not enjoying his iconic role as Mr. Darcy in “Pride & Prejudice” comes as a surprise. Having watched him bring the brooding romantic hero to life so convincingly on screen, it is hard to imagine that he felt miscast or anxious during the production.


Prior to his role as Tom Wambsgans in “Succession” on HBO, Matthew Macfadyen was mainly recognized for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film version of “Pride & Prejudice,” directed by Joe Wright, and co-starring Keira Knightley.

In an interview on “CBS Mornings,” Macfadyen shared that despite being frequently praised by fans for his portrayal of Jane Austen’s brooding romantic hero, he admitted, in his own words, “I didn’t truly relish the experience of playing that role.”

Macfadyen expressed regret, sharing, “There were instances when I had fun, but I deeply wished to have experienced even greater enjoyment. I regretted being so concerned throughout.”

Macfadyen said his anxiety stemmed from feeling like he wasn’t a good fit for the role.

“During the casting process for this film, I had some doubts about my suitability for the role. I didn’t quite embody the desired level of sex appeal, or so it seemed. However, despite these reservations, everything worked out in the end.”

Currently, being identified as Mr. Darley by fans is undeniably the most complimentary experience for Macfadyen.

“It’s a good 20 years later, so I think I can’t be aging that badly,” he laughed.

Macfadyen appeared on “CBS Mornings” for a interview, where he discussed his new project, the Marvel hit movie “Deadpool and Wolverine” featuring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. In this film, Macfadyen portrays the character of Mr. Paradox, who is Reynolds’ anti-hero’s boss.

“He found it amusing. Witnessing Ryan and Hugh Jackman collaborate during filming brought him joy. He confessed to having a small infatuation with these two men; they were truly impressive.”

As a movie buff, I’d put it this way: When talking about Macfadyen’s portrayal of Mr. Paradox, I noticed a striking resemblance to his “Succession” character, Tom. There’s an underlying corporate arrogance and sleaziness that both characters possess.

“Deadpool and Wolverine” releases in theaters this Friday from Marvel and Disney.

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2024-07-24 13:16