A Reluctant Husband’s Review of Audible’s Pride and Prejudice (2025)

When you hear “Pride and Prejudice,” you might instantly think of stiff drawing rooms, corseted dances, and endless chatter about marriage prospects. But for the upcoming 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, Audible’s brand-new full-cast retelling, available starting today, pulls the story out of that dusty image and into something far more alive.

This new production stars Marisa Abela as Elizabeth Bennet and Harris Dickinson as the insufferably magnetic Mr. Darcy, with Bill Nighy and Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and Glenn Close as the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Already, that lineup alone feels like an invitation to lean in and listen. Add to that an original score by Grammy-nominated composer Morgan Kibby, and you’ve got a Pride and Prejudice that doesn’t just tell the story, it immerses you in it.

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Coming in Fresh

In what may prove to be the ultimate Reluctant Husband review, prior to listening to this new production, I have never ingested anything Pride and Prejudice related, despite it being my wife’s absolute favorite. Actually saying it is her absolute favorite is an understatement. For her, it is the pinnacle of all things. The 2005 movie is her comfort movie. She loves the BBC special. She will ingest any version that she can come across. On the other side of the coin, you have me, who, beyond recognizing a few names, especially Mr. Darcy, thanks to Matthew Macfadyen being in Succession, I was pretty much a blank slate of expectation.

It is also worth noting, I’m not a fan of audio dramatizations. Despite my love of audiobooks, dramatizations with a full cast have just not held my attention.

I have to say, Pride and Prejudice, with its impressive cast, has not helped my view of dramatizations, because they have set the bar too high. The cast, the score, everything is so immersive. It was as if I was listening to a movie itself, yet it was so much more than that. I fear I have just gone ahead and written off all other dramatizations, because they simply will fail to match this high bar. (Hoping I’m proven wrong or given at least an equal match in the near future with Harry Potter, another one of the wife’s favorites!)

And here’s another big plus: this production runs just 4 hours and 34 minutes. For someone new to Austen, or skeptical of long, slow classics, that makes it an incredibly approachable entry point. You can finish it over a weekend, making it feel more like a treat than a task.

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A Fresh Perspective on Austen

What sets this retelling apart is its intimacy. Rather than standing back as a polite observer, you’re pulled directly into Elizabeth’s head. Her inner voice becomes a guide, showing us not just what she says, but what she thinks, those flashes of wit, stubbornness, doubt, and yes, vulnerability. It makes her more modern and relatable without stripping away her Regency roots.

The sound design adds another layer. You hear the clatter of carriage wheels, the chatter of sisters practicing music, even the distant hum of village life. These details create the kind of “theater of the mind” that old radio dramas thrived on, but here it’s paired with Austen’s sharp humor and slow-burn romance.

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Jenna’s Take

Here’s where I step aside and let Jenna weigh in, as the one who knows Pride and Prejudice and holds it in very high regard, and came at this with high expectations:

As an avid lover of all things Austen, I was excited to try a new format. I have listened to audiobooks, but this was a completely different experience.

The background vocals, music, and ambiance created a very immersive experience.

Being one of six sisters myself, they did a great job capturing that unique bond. The chaos of a household of girls, talking over each other, stealing clothes, and gossiping about boys. 

I feel like this is the best pairing of any Elizabeth and Darcy! Their banter is top-notch, and Lizzie’s sassiness shines as it chips away at Darcy’s reserve. The banter between the two in the library at Netherfield was incredible. Both actors do a spectacular job building tension and pining for one another. Marisa Abela breathes life into the role, showcasing Lizzie’s intelligence and sharp wit. I absolutely loved the inclusion of her inner monologue, which gives an intimate glimpse into her ever-evolving opinion on Darcy. Harris Dickinson was simply delicious. He had me flustered from the beginning! 

Wickham was the icing on the cake. Will Poulter brought the perfect amount of charm. Pulling in the listener as he spun his web of lies.

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Final Thoughts

As someone who has never been the “target audience” for Austen, I’ll admit, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. As a way to experience Pride and Prejudice as a newbie or anew as a purist, it works. It feels alive, playful, and occasionally daring, which is more than you can say for most audiobook adaptations.

Clocking in at only 4 hours and 34 minutes, this isn’t a time investment that will scare anyone off. It’s long enough to feel substantial, but short enough that you can slip it into daily life without struggle, whether over a few commutes, while doing chores, or across a couple of evenings.

If you want the crystalline elegance of Austen’s prose in full audio bliss, you always have unabridged readings. But if you’re looking for something fresh, modernized just enough, and performed by a cast that understands how to balance wit with heart, this Audible Original is worth adding to your library, and something I can absolutely recommend.

Pride and Prejudice is now available through Audible in the U.S., U.K., Canada, India, and Australia.