Legendary TV stars unrecognisable as they reunite to back show sequel 30 years after BBC hit – can you guess who?

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

LEGENDARY telly stars have reunited three decades after their smash-hit BBC show.
The iconic duo have come together to mark nearly 30 years since their show originally aired - but can you guess who they are?
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The beloved stars, Crispin Bonham-Carter and Susannah Harkerwho, once ruled the airwaves in the '90s and have been snapped together again
Credit: Instagram
The duo, best known for their roles as Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet in the BBC's iconic 1995 adaptation of
Crispin Bonham-Carter, now 55, and Susannah Harker, 59, delighted fans by teaming up once again - leaving viewers stunned at how much they've changed since starring alongside
Taking to Instagram, a producer posted: "BREAKING NEWS! Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet will be reunited once more in Susannah Harker's new movie project, Jane Bennet's Second Spring!
"Crispin Bonham Carter and Susannah Harker met in Chawton to celebrate 30 years since the iconic BBC TVs 1995 series of Pride and Prejudice, and to make this special announcement!"
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In the video, Susannah said: "Hello, here I am with Crispin Boham Carter at Jane Austen's cottage. We're here for a little event talking about 30 years since Pride and Prejudice.
"I've been telling him a little bit about Jane Bennet's Second Spring. He's very excited."
Crispin chimed in saying: "I'm very excited. Why isn't it Bingley Second's Spring?"
Susannah laughed and then revealed: "He will be in the film."
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Crispin confirmed: "Of course. I would expect myself to be in a project like that. So, I'm very happy to be in. I'll bring lots of money with me."
Susannah joked: "Thought we'd say 'hello' to everyone and say we're still here and still alive."
Trailer for Pride and Prejudice
Fans were stunned to see the transformation, with some barely recognising the familiar faces.
They flooded the comment section, with one writing: "My jaw just dropped."
Another added: "The Bingleys are looking very well indeed!"
A third penned: "The way I just screamed!!"
Pride and Prejudice: Where are they now?
The six-part miniseries pulled in 10–11 million viewers per episode, propelled by Colin Firth's iconic wet‑shirt lake scene and sparked global 'Darcymania'. It was a ratings blockbuster and awards magnet—Jennifer Ehle won a BAFTA, and the series scored an Emmy and a Peabody Award. To this day, it's considered the ultimate Pride & Prejudice adaptation—and nearly 30 years on, the cast's glow-up continues to impress.
Mr Bingley – Crispin Bonham‑Carter (56)
Once the affable Mr Bingley, Crispin hung up his Regency boots and swapped them for a classroom — he now teaches English and Classics at Alexandra Park School in north London. He's been a much-loved teacher for years, and his students are blissfully unaware they once shared their lessons with Mr Bingley himself.
Jane Bennet – Susannah Harker (59)
Playing Lizzy's kind-hearted older sister Jane, Susannah continued her acting career across TV and stage. From Midsomer Murders to radio dramas, she's carved a solid presence in British drama since the 90s.
Elizabeth Bennet – Jennifer Ehle (now early 50s)
The award-winning Lizzie Bennet went on to star in films like The King's Speech, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. She scored a BAFTA for her iconic role and is widely recognised in Hollywood.
Georgiana Darcy – Emilia Fox (51)
Starting as Darcy's sweet younger sister, Emilia now leads as Nikki Alexander in Silent Witness, a role she's held for over 13 years. She also appears in shows like Delicious and The Trial of Christine Keeler.
Mrs Bennet – Alison Steadman (79)
The manic social climber who tried to marry off her daughters has gone on to star in shows like Gavin & Stacey and Hold the Sunset. She's an acting legend with roles spanning Abigail's Party to Here We Go.
Lydia Bennet – Julia Sawalha (57)
Cassie from Absolutely Fabulous, Julia played the wild youngest sister. She's since starred in Jonathan Creek and reprised her role as Saffy in the AbFab movie. Still as energetic as ever.
Mr Wickham – Adrian Lukis (63)
The charming cad behind Darcy's troubles has transformed his character into a one-man show, Being Mr Wickham, which explores his reflections at age 60 on a West End stage.
It's a truth universally acknowledged - the 1995 Pride and Prejudice is still telly gold, nearly 30 years on.
The iconic BBC drama had millions glued to their screens, with over 11 million viewers tuning in for the finale and fans going wild
Yes, we're talking Colin Firth's famously soaked shirt, which sparked a full-blown case of 'Darcymania' and turned the actor into an unlikely 90s heartthrob.
The six-part series wasn't just a smash in the UK, as it was sold to eight countries before the last episode even aired, proving Jane Austen fever had gone global.
It scooped a BAFTA for Best Actress for Jennifer Ehle (Lizzie Bennet) and picked up a string of awards, including an Emmy and a prestigious Peabody in the US.
Filmed in grand country houses and on sweeping green estates, the show looked like a movie and felt like a masterpiece.
The budget? A cool £1 million per episode - not bad for 1995.
And it didn't just revive Austen - it changed Sunday night TV forever, paving the way for the costume drama boom that followed.
Still the best adaptation ever? Fans say YES, Mr Darcy.
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The stars delighted fans by teaming up and showing support for a new sequel to the hit drama
Credit: Alamy
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Fans were stunned at how much they've changed since starring alongside Colin Firth's famous Mr Darcy
Credit: Alamy
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The 1995 Pride & Prejudice was a phenomenon - pulling in a jaw-dropping 10–11 million viewers per episode
Credit: Alamy