He is seen by many as a quintessential English character immortalised by Colin Firth on the screen.
But actor Jack Lowden, who grew up in the Borders, has revealed he tried to convince the makers of the new version of Pride and Prejudice to let him play Mr Darcy as a Scotsman.
The Slow Horses star had wanted to use his own accent in the role of the romantic hero from Jane Austen’s novel in the upcoming Netflix adaptation.
Lowden, 35, said he thought the move could have been possible because the book does not specify the character’s accent or appearance.
But the production team refused.
In an interview with Hunger magazine, Lowden said: ‘Honestly, with every single role I’m lucky enough to be given, my first question is, “Can I play him Scottish?”
‘That hasn’t happened yet. Believe me, I tried. Hopefully one day.
‘But, in terms of playing Mr Darcy, what’s been really fascinating is learning how much the character comes from the nineties version with Colin Firth.
Jack Lowden seen filming a scene on the Derbyshire Dows for Pride and Prejudice
Lowden with wife Saoirse Ronan at the 2025 BAFTA awards ceremony
‘The original Jane Austen version is quite ambiguous actually. And that’s a question I asked them – “Is that okay?” And they said, “Yeah, it’s never really mentioned, so it doesn’t matter”.
‘Maybe on certain days when I’m not really concentrating, maybe my accent will come out Scottish.’
Lowden studied acting at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
The new dad is currently filming the six-part Pride and Prejudice series which also stars Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet.
Lowden also said he wants to move behind the camera as a director and producer rather than take on more acting jobs.
Last year he produced the Orkney-based drama The Outrun, which starred his wife Saoirse Ronan in the lead role.
He said: ‘It’s all I want to do, really, move into that side of things – specifically directing.
‘That experience with The Outrun really was a massive eye-opening moment to me. It’s the most alive and useful I’ve felt in any of my work.’
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Jack Lowden tried to convince director to let him play iconic Pride and Prejudice character Mr Darcy as Scottish