According to today’s Guardian

ITV’s critically acclaimed Jane Austen time-travel drama Lost in Austen is to be made into a Hollywood movie with Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes as an executive producer.

There are no cast details yet, but Guy Andrews is writing the script.  The oscar buzz for Som Mendes’ Revolutionary Road is bound to help things along.

We’ll let you know more when we know it.

Lost in Austen is an ingenious reinvention of the classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, in which Jane Austen’s story is thrown off track by a very modern heroine, Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper). Amanda swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton) and takes centre stage in the celebrated love story.

Disillusioned with her life in London and disenchanted with her boyfriend, Amanda Price discovers Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom. Soon she finds herself swapping places with Lizzie, and entering the ‘real’ fictional world of Pride and Prejudice. Amanda arrives at Longbourn, the home of the Bennet family, and realises she’s joined the action at the very start of the story, she gets to know the remaining Bennet sisters, and prepares to meet Mr Darcy (Elliot Cowan). How will she keep the greatest love story of all time on track when Elizabeth Bennet is stuck in the modern world?

Playing Mr and Mrs Bennet are Hugh Bonneville and Alex Kingston; Lindsay Duncan plays Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh; Morven Christie is Jane Bennet, Tom Mison is Mr Bingley, Guy Henry is Mr Collins, Tom Riley is Captain Wickham, and Christina Cole is Caroline Bingley.

Lost in Austen is made by Mammoth Screen, the independent production company set up by former ITV drama executives Michele Buck and Damien Timmer.

The four part series is written by acclaimed television writer Guy Andrews (Chancer, Prime Suspect, Absolute Power; Poirot and Lewis). The director is Dan Zeff (Worst Week Of My Life, Doctor Who, Marple) and producer is Kate McKerrell (Lewis).

Lost in Austen is executive produced by Michele Buck and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, alongside writer Guy Andrews. Michele Buck and Damien Timmer’s recent credits include Ballet Shoes for BBC1, Agatha Christie’s Marple, the Inspector Morse spin off Lewis and the BAFTA award winning Housewife 49, starring Victoria Wood.

Michele Buck says: “With a thoroughly modern heroine transposed into the world of Jane Austen, and a ‘new’ Mr Darcy in the shape of Elliot Cowan, this is a hugely exciting project. It’s an honour to be working with such a fine cast on this very ambitious production.”

Damien Timmer says: “We’re delighted to be producing Lost in Austen for ITV. Guy’s scripts treat Jane Austen’s much loved source material with the utmost respect, but Amanda Price’s appearance in the story of Pride and Prejudice and the absence of Lizzie Bennet can’t help but turn everything on its head. We hope viewers will be gripped by the new romantic twists and turns which emerge, and will want to see who claims Mr Darcy’s heart.”

Granada International holds worldwide distribution rights.

What attracted you to the role of Amanda?

I’m very similar to Amanda. I’m from Hammersmith, I’m 26 and I really feel an affinity with the character. I found out later that the writer, Guy Andrews, had me in mind while he was writing the script. The story is absolutely exquisite, it’s beautiful and perfect, plus the central character is funny, tragic and interesting and I think that’s rare in a lead role.

How does Lost in Austen compare to other period dramas?

The great thing about Lost in Austen is that it features all the characters we love from Pride and Prejudice, but they’re seen through a modern young woman’s eyes and placed in very different situations. It really gives the story a new lease of life and sets it apart from other remakes of classic novels.

Tell us about Amanda.

She’s a modern girl but she has a romantic streak. She seeks solace in reading Pride and Prejudice. When she enters the story she soon discovers how different it is and sees the negative points of the lifestyle she’s idolised. She’s too clumsy to fit into the manners of Georgian society and makes a mess of many of the situations she finds herself in.

How does Amanda compare to Lizzie Bennet?

Amanda is much less equipped to enter Lizzie’s world than Lizzie is to enter the modern world, as Lizzie is a progressive and confident woman. There are obvious parallels between the two though and Amanda finds her voice in Austen’s world, as she becomes more outspoken and makes her presence known.

Why is Amanda so impressed with the world of Pride and Prejudice?

Pride and Prejudice represents everything that her life is not. The manners, the etiquette and the courtesy she thinks are missing from her life.

How does Amanda react to becoming lost in the world of Austen?

She doesn’t react very well. She thinks she’s going mad and there’s an adjustment period when she thinks there’s some sort of conspiracy against her. She is then constantly trying to catch up and react to the events unfolding around her.

How is she received by the people in Austen’s world?

They take her at face value and think she’s completely absurd. The younger Bennet girls think she’s wonderful and interesting, whereas the older characters tend to be wary and threatened by her.

Who is her closest ally in the Austen world?

Jane Bennet, the eldest sister, takes her under her wing and they form a lovely friendship, despite how very different they are. There are also parallels between her and Wickham, despite the fact he’s from the Georgian era. There’s something they recognise in each other.

Who is her worst enemy?

Her worst enemy is Caroline Bingley; she takes a disliking to her from the start and does everything she can to trip her up. Also in a weird way Mr Darcy is her enemy as he thinks she is the most revolting creature he has ever had the misfortune to meet.

How does Amanda’s presence affect the way Pride and Prejudice develops?

Her presence throws the whole story completely off kilter. She’s so unusual that she attracts the attention of all the characters and the plot spirals out of control. She starts to battle to keep the story on track so she doesn’t ruin one of the greatest novels ever written.

Lost in Austen has an incredible cast. How did you enjoy working with your fellow actors?

I have been so lucky with the people I’ve worked with. I already knew three members of the cast and felt privileged to work with those I hadn’t. We’ve all kept in touch and we’ve been meeting regularly since filming ended.

What was your favourite scene to film?

There were so many scenes when we got the giggles – Alex Kingston is a terrible giggler! The ball scenes were tremendous fun to work on too.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I’m in a play called Her Naked Skin which opened at the National Theatre at the end of July.

What interested you in the role of Mr Darcy?

I was really intrigued to hear that this renowned story was being written in a new light by Guy Andrews. Putting Mr Darcy, who is an iconic literary figure, into new circumstances seemed a challenge and a great opportunity not to be missed.

What preparation did you do for the role?

I read Pride and Prejudice and did some research looking into the history of this period, the characters and the artwork. I also watched Collin Firth’s portrayal of Mr Darcy because I think there are some references in Lost in Austen to this interpretation that had a profound effect on the country’s consciousness.

How does your Mr Darcy compare to your predecessors’?

I only ever played Mr Darcy dead straight. For me it was important to mask a certain vulnerability in him.

How does Amanda Price compare to Elizabeth Bennet?

They are independent, honest and direct women. They see Darcy as an arrogant and very proud man and their frustration with him is very similar. Amanda has the benefit of having read the book so she can pre-empt the decisions, choices and even dialogue that Darcy is about to say before it happens.

What does Mr Darcy make of Amanda Price?

Initially, Mr Darcy is very suspicious of Amanda, but on a subconscious level he finds Amanda intriguing and attractive. A man of his stature isn’t in touch with his emotions so I think he’s under a lot of pressure to remain impartial. He takes quite a long time to warm to her.

How does Mr Darcy feel about Amanda’s presence in his world?

He keeps himself aloof and his comments to a minimum. One of Darcy’s characteristics is to protect others, particular Charles Bingley who he encourages to keep away from Amanda.

What are Mr Darcy’s motivations?

Darcy believes everything should have a social order. I think Darcy has an over reaching need for marriage and to have a soul mate although his attitude towards this feels resigned and professional.

How does Mr Darcy feel about the Bennet family?

From the outset, Mr Darcy makes it very clear that he regards them as being greedy, very opportunistic, false and vulgar.

Tell us about Mr Darcy’s relationship with Captain Wickham?

Their relationship is born out of many years of conflict and disappointment. They are opposites, Darcy is very proud with upstanding values which Wickham seems to have underlined and obliterated.

In the series Mr Darcy finds Amanda’s copy of Pride and Prejudice. What does he make of this?

It’s an exceptional discovery. Darcy is totally unaware that his story has been written so he believes it’s a satirical journal that will be published and talked about in society. He believes this to be a complete undermining of the trust, friendship and hospitality that Amanda has received.

How did you find playing opposite Jemima Rooper?

It was wonderful. Jemima is full of energy and very creative. I’m glad that when we met we had the right chemistry. Our acting styles are very different and because of this we were able to challenge each other.

What’s your most memorable moment from filming?

It was whilst we were filming last November. Thankfully it was a beautiful blue sky day, but I had to swim around and submerge myself in seven degree water in nothing more than my shirt and britches whilst declaring my undying love. It was all I could do to stop my teeth from chattering.

Tell us about the locations used for Lost in Austen.

I thoroughly enjoyed working in Yorkshire. I personally thought we were all very lucky to be stepping out into the beautiful horizon of some fantastic stately gardens. Being able to walk around these gorgeous properties was a privilege.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I’m in a play called The Revenger’s Tragedy at the National Theatre.

What drew you to the role of Elizabeth Bennet?

Pride and Prejudice is a classic and it’s a compliment to be asked to read for Elizabeth Bennet as she’s such a fantastic, witty and intelligent character. Also she’s ahead of her time and that’s the reason she fits into the modern world.

Do you think the Lizzie Bennet you play in Lost in Austen is true to Jane Austen’s character in Pride and Prejudice?

The characters in Lost in Austen are really affected by what happens when Lizzie and Amanda swap places. Obviously, if you are taken to another world you’re going to change, but their personalities are those that were created in Pride and Prejudice, so Elizabeth’s strength and forward thinking nature stands her in good stead.

How do you think Elizabeth feels when she finds the door to Amanda’s world?

She’s very curious and inquisitive, so at first it’s quite intriguing. When she initially finds the door she’s scared, but then she goes back a couple more times. She realises there’s not much going on for her in her time and she starts to see it as a new exciting world. Most people would be petrified to go somewhere completely alien, but she’s ready for the challenge. It’s a bold move for her to take that step. She’s ahead of her time and this is in her character.

What is it that motivates her to stay in the modern world?

Up until that point in the novel she’s living a very normal existence. She hasn’t met Darcy yet, she hasn’t met Bingley and she’s bored. She wants to explore and see and do new things. She does it without thinking to some extent, especially as regards leaving her family.

Do you think she’s worried about what’s happening in her life back in Longbourn?

I think, like Amanda, she can’t get back and doesn’t realise this straight away. Given the choice she’d go back and forth, but once the door shuts she’s stuck. She misses her family and doesn’t know what’s going on back there.

How does she feel about Amanda?

Amanda and Lizzie are very similar, as are Jemima and I. I think if Lizzie lost all of her manners and eloquence and had been brought up in the modern world she would have been much more like Amanda. When they meet they connect and they’re like two old friends.

Did you enjoy wearing the period costume? Was this your first experience of costume drama?

I did some theatre in which I got to wear Elizabethan dress which was amazing, but this was the first time I’ve done it in television. I’d never worn Regency dress before, it was really sweet, plus it’s flattering and there’s no restrictions in those clothes so it was lovely to be able to eat what I liked as no-one could tell.

Was there a favourite scene that you filmed?

When Amanda finds Elizabeth in the bathroom. Definitely. No matter how shocked our characters were, it was still hilarious to film and Jemima and I just couldn’t stop laughing.

How did you find the cast to work with?

I joined the shoot later than everyone else, so they already had all their shared experiences and jokes, but they were so lovely plus it was great to work with a cast that were mainly my own age. Everyone was up for a laugh and were really lovely and approachable. It was a really warm set.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I have a couple of films coming out, Three and Out and then a Guy Ritchie film called Rock ‘n Roller. I’m filming Quantum of Solace which is the new James Bond film, Prince of Persia for Disney, I’m also playing Tess in Tess of the D’Urbevilles for BBC1.

What drew you to the role of Mr Bennet?

The script. Sorry to state the obvious, but it’s always the script. When it arrived one evening I thought I’d flick through the opening episode, read up until the first commercial break and then read it properly the next day. I couldn’t put it down and I missed dinner. Quite simply I had to know what happened next. Guy Andrews’ Mr Bennet is endearing and irritating in equal measure; he’s a properly complex character and that’s a very attractive proposition for any actor.

How does your Mr Bennet compare to those that have gone before?

Any resemblance between my portrayal of Mr Bennet and that of Benjamin Whitrow (in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice) is purely intentional. Always steal from the best.

How did you find working with Alex Kingston?

I’ve known Alex for over 25 years, as we were in the National Youth Theatre together. She hasn’t changed a bit. She’s full of good humour, utterly lacking in guile but nobody’s fool – after all, she’s played Boudicca! Our children are the same age so we’d witter on about them most of the time, boring the young singletons of the cast to tears.

Do you feel that Lost in Austen is true to the world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice?

Guy Andrews’ passion for all things Georgian and for Jane Austen in particular resonates in every scene. If you know the book you will relish the mishaps that befall these iconic characters. If you’ve never read a word of Austen you will quickly find yourself involved in a wonderful literary adventure.

How does Claude feel about life in the Bennet household?

Almost everything about the Bennet household exasperates dear Claude. The number of women, the constant quest for society and above all the noise. Oh dear God, the noise. His study, a world of books and spheres and reflection and untroubled snores, is the haven to which he habitually retreats. I think there’s a bit of a Mr Bennet in most men who, if they don’t have a study, probably have a shed.

Does Mr Bennet worry about Mrs Bennet’s plans for his daughters?

Claude thinks little of his wife’s ambition for his daughters’ futures for the simple reason he can’t make sense of what she’s banging on about most of the time. It’s all so much white noise. Too often he retreats to his study in times of crisis, shirking his responsibilities as a parent. Finally, he is forced into action and I think a little part of him grows up at long last.

How does Mr Bennet feel about Amanda Price? Does he like the effect she has on his family?

Lizzie is clearly Claude’s favourite daughter, the brightest spark. And in Amanda Price he sees many of the same qualities. She may wear very peculiar clothes, speak in an urban vernacular the like of which he has never heard, but her effervescent spirit and evident good sense makes her a natural ally during Lizzie’s temporary absence. As far as Claude is concerned, Amanda is the only woman in Longbourn who occasionally manages to think before speaking; his brood could do well to learn from her.

Does Amanda change the story of Pride and Prejudice for the better?

As to Amanda’s effect on the story of Pride and Prejudice, who knows? Maybe the story isn’t over.

How did you find working with Jemima Rooper?

Jemima and I did a play a few years ago at Hampstead and got on famously. She’s captivating as Amanda and I think will win the audience’s collective heart in an instant. Her Amanda is by turns, romantic and spunky, lonely and the passionate life and soul of the party. Audiences will feel they know her, care about her, are her, even. You can’t help but smile when you’re in her company – on screen and off to be honest – so I think viewers will love going on this roller coaster ride with her.

Can you share your most memorable moment from filming?

We were filming in the dank, dreary days of November. Mud everywhere. To protect the delicate shoes of the Bennet family women the costume department provided them all with pink Ugg boots. Mr Bennet alone had boring old wellies to get him from the unit base to the set. Mr Bennet went into something of a blue funk, metaphorically shutting his study door for days on end. But then one drizzly morning he came into work to find that his green wellies had been painted bright pink, and he smiled. So I want to thank the costume department for making this Mr Bennet feel part of his family once more.

Mrs Bennet is an icon of English Literature. What drew you to the role?

When I was first approached to play Mrs Bennet I thought I was too young for the role. After talking to the director, Dan Zeff, and understanding the concept of the script in which delicious liberties can be taken, I thought it would be fun to have a try.

You’re a very young Mrs Bennet. How do you think this affects the role?

In playing a young Mrs Bennet it allowed me to explore, at least inwardly, the possibility of her still holding on to her childishness. She is a mother, who understands the desperate situation the family are in due to a lack of a son and heir, and tries accordingly to engineer the futures of her daughters. I also found a chance for her to live vicariously through the experiences of her daughters. Her husband gives her no joy, so why not enjoy the thrill of a dance or ball or invitation to a grand house.

Were you a fan of the novel before you started work on the show?

I love the novel. It’s so utterly romantic. For me the novel brings detail and insight into the human condition.

How do you think this reworking of Pride and Prejudice compares to the original?

Guy Andrews’ reworking of the novel is a clever way of answering the ‘what if’ question. I’m sure the female fans will have asked, ‘what if I met Darcy, what would that world be like to live in? Our contemporary heroine, Amanda Price, gives us that chance and experience.

Do you think Guy Andrews’ characters are true to those in Austen’s novel?

I believe Guy’s intention is to be as true to the original characters as possible. Although he was able to take the characters and improvise them slightly to consider how they would react and respond to the situations he places them in. How fun is that for a writer!!

How did you find working with Hugh Bonneville as Mr Bennet?

Hugh and I go back a long way. I was very excited when I heard that he would be playing Mr Bennet as there would be no need for introductions, we could just jump straight in to the relationship so to speak. He’s a fabulous actor, and I would work with him again at the drop of a hat.

How would you describe Mr and Mrs Bennet’s relationship?

If Mr and Mrs Bennet lived today they would be classic cases for therapy! He is distant and mean spirited towards her, which makes her less confident, and more hysterical, which in turn makes him more distant. I like the fact that in the script Guy gives Mr Bennet the chance to step out of the library and take control of the ever spiralling situation. Mrs Bennet can’t be expected to do it all!

Why does she let her daughter marry Mr Collins?

The Bennets have no son and heir, so Mr Collins will inherit their home upon the death of Mr Bennet. Mrs Bennet and her girls will be homeless and penniless so, it is imperative one of her daughters marry him or marry well. Mrs Bennet is horrified when Amanda Price announces she will marry Mr Collins, and thrilled and relieved when those plans are scuppered in favour of Jane’s’ marriage to him. Suitability isn’t a question, it’s purely practicality and survival.

Tell us about the British locations used for filming.

We were based in Leeds, and filmed on location in the surrounding countryside. It is amazing how rural this part of England still is, and so beautiful. We were fortunate to be able to film in some stunning stately homes, and by pure coincidence, we used Harewood House for Netherfield. The Earl of Harewood’s son, David Lascelles produced Moll Flanders, so it was an added pleasure to meet up with him and his wife Diane again after all this time.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I’m currently filming Hope Springs in Glasgow for BBC1.

What drew you to the role of Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

It’s a relatively small part, however the writing of the script was just dazzling. Guy Andrews is incredibly clever. Lost in Austen is a really imaginative leap and it was a great chance to do something bold. At the time, I said that I didn’t know how to play the character but that I definitely wanted to be in it.

How would you describe Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

Lady Catherine de Bourgh symbolises the status quo in society and it’s in her interest to maintain that. She’s a highly intelligent women and a political animal with power, influence, and land.

What is the relationship between Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Mr Darcy?

Mr Darcy is absolutely part of the plan because there’s blood and Mr Darcy needs to be positioned properly in order for the plan to go accordingly through the generations. Lady Catherine is watchful of him, but I would like to think that she has a genuine affection for him.

What influence does Lady Catherine de Bourgh have over Mr Collins?

Mr Collins is just her poodle, he owes her a living. Her financial clout and her ability to give other people a living means the influence of someone like Lady Catherine is enormous. She runs the whole establishment making sure the right people marry, so nothing untoward is going to happen in terms of breeding.

How does Lady Catherine de Bourgh feel about Amanda Price?

Lady Catherine is so used to her own power that she feels she has to go into action when Amanda Price arrives. She’s got to take the necessary measures to identify, label and deal with Amanda.

What is Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s opinion of Mr and Mr Bennet?

They are beneath contempt, hopeless and unmanageable people, with no idea of how to behave.

With it being such an established story, how do you feel the audience will reacted to it?

All I can say is that I wanted to be in it, and as a viewer I would want to see this. To me Amanda Price walks in to the world we think we’ve walked into every time we’ve turned the page in the novel.

Did you enjoy working with Jemima Rooper?

She was fantastic. I remember being at the read-through, looking at her and thinking she was born to play the part of Amanda Price. Jemima raised the level bringing an energy that really excited everyone in the room.

What’s next for you after Lost in Austen?

I’m currently filming Margaret for BBC 2 in which I play Margaret Thatcher.

What interested you in the role of Mr Collins?

Mr Collins is one of the great creeps of literature. He’s an extraordinary, funny little eccentric man and I instantly knew that I wanted to play him.

What is his motivation in the story?

His motivation is to advance himself in society to please Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who has helped him in life. I don’t think he’s really bothered about who he ends up marrying so long as it’s a good marriage that Lady Catherine will approve of.

Why is he so reviled by Amanda Price?

A charming aspect to this drama is that Amanda loses herself in the world of Jane Austen because she thinks its men and women have a code of conduct, which is based on romance and honour. When she meets the characters she realises that this isn’t necessarily true, especially when she meets Mr Collins, who certainly doesn’t match any criteria of how a gentleman should behave.

Why does Amanda fall out of favour with him?

A rumour spreads that Amanda comes from a very lowly station to do with fish mongering and that of course would never do. How could Mr Collins, who is possibly destined for Bishopric, be associated with someone who’s to do with fish? Lady Catherine would never permit that.

Why is he so sycophantic towards Lady Catherine de Bourgh?

In those days the very rich women were able to give out a living to Vicars and Teachers and luckily for him he was taken on by her. Without Lady Catherine, he would have nothing except a few pennies from his stingy father.

What effect does Amanda have on the story?

Lost in Austen is such a great tribute to Jane Austen and Guy’s writing is brilliant. He has been so clever in the way he has introduced Amanda Price into such a well known story. With Elizabeth Bennet being stuck in the 21^st century, everyone but Amanda and the viewers at home are oblivious to the story changing.

What is your most memorable scene?

Whilst filming a scene where Mr Collins and Mrs Bennet, are sipping tea on the beautiful terrace of Mr Darcy’s house, I told Alex Kingston a particular story and what I didn’t realise was that once I had set Alex off laughing that was it, there was no stopping her. It was hopeless. So because of our hysterical laughing we found it quite difficult to work together, but I definitely hope we do again in the future.

What’s next for you?

I would like to do some more theatre and I’d especially love to do Lost in Austen 2!