25 Netflix shows you could binge over the holiday weekend

22. Death Comes to Pemberley

Pride & Prejudice is a story that contains rather a lot of social commentary that also moonlights as one of the great romantic novels in Western literature. (Just remember Colin Firth as a wet Mr. Darcy. That is all.) Death Comes to Pemberley takes a look at the Austen original, then asks, “what would happen if Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, now married with kids, are embroiled in a murder at the Pemberley estate?”

What happens is a pretty compact murder mystery, starring Matthew Rhys and Anna Maxwell Martin. Although you might hope that Mr. Wickham, the scummy officer of the original novel and Lydia Bennet’s husband, turns out to be the victim, it’s Captain Denny instead, alas.

The work is also based on the book of the same name by P.D. James, who also executive produced this adaptation, so it’s actually quite faithful.

Although Death Comes to Pemberley doesn’t have a rating on Netflix, it’s not for young children, though older ones might not mind the mystery aspects of this miniseries. There are just three episodes to get through as well, meaning this could be a one-evening watch for the seriously committed. For bonus points, you can spot Jenna Coleman of Doctor Who fame and Eleanor Tomlinson of Poldark as Lydia Wickham and Georgiana Darcy, respectively.