Colin Firth claims playing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice wasn’t ‘helpful’ to his career because it led to him being typecast as someone who ‘looks good and struts around’
- Colin Firth famously played Mr Darcy in 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
- Said it wasn’t ‘helpful’ to his career because it restricted roles he was offered
- Said it led to him being typecast as someone who ‘looks good’ and struts around’
Actor Colin Firth has claimed playing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice wasn’t ‘helpful’ to his career because it led to him being typecast.
The British star, 59, became a household name following the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, thanks partly due to the famous scene in which he emerges from a lake in a soaking white shirt.
However in an interview with Good Housekeeping magazine, Firth claims it didn’t ultimately benefit his career.
Actor Colin Firth (left in March) has claimed playing Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (right with co-star Jennifer Ehle) wasn’t ‘helpful’ to his career because it led to him being typecast
Firth became a household name following the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, thanks partly due to the scene in which he emerges from a lake in a soaking white shirt, pictured
‘This was a great role and it was a major event in my career, certainly,’ he said.
‘But I don’t think it was all that helpful, because it tended to create this image that can restrict what kind of roles you are going to be able to find.
‘Looking good and strutting around is very boring. I wanted to do other things as an actor.’
Firth later poked fun at the famous wet shirt scene by agreeing to fight Hugh Grant in a water fountain in a scene in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
Reflecting on his career, the actor said he thought his Oscar-nominated role in 2009’s A Single Man finally led to a change in public perception.
Reflecting on his career, Firth said he thought his Oscar-nominated role in 2009’s A Single Man finally led to a change in public perception. Pictured, in the film with co-star Julianne Moore
‘This role probably did the most to change the perception of me,’ he continued. ‘I was playing and older, sadder kind of figure and suddenly you’re seen in a different way.’
The following year he won an Academy Award for his performance in 2010 hit film The King’s Speech.
Firth, who has three children, last year announced he had split from Livia, his wife of 22 years.