Colin Firth was nearly rejected as Mr Darcy in Pride And Prejudice for being 'too GINGER' [tr]

UK Daily Mail ^ | September 22, 2016 | Unity Blott

[C19fan]

Colin Firth almost missed out on the role that launched his acting career because his hair was thought to be too 'ginger', it has been revealed.

The British actor, 56, became something of an overnight heartthrob thanks to his portrayal of Fitzwilliam Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

But screenwriter Andrew Davies has now revealed he was initially unsure about the star - until he was convinced to darken his hair.

[C19fan]

#GingerLivesMatter. That was a close call as Mr. Firth was brilliant as Darcy.

[PGR88]

And Laurence Fishburn was not available....

[Excellence]

He was wonderful in The King’s Speech. Very understated performance.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Just recently learned that British people--- a lot of them --- are, and always have been, prejudiced against red-headed people.

What??

Seriously.

How strange.

[V_TWIN]

The King’s Speech also. I couldn’t imagine how that movie was going to hold my attention and expected it to be dry as dust, but it turned out to be excellent......at least I thought so.

[TADSLOS]

That's odd.

[onona]

Well, they did get their butts kicked by the vikings, so maybe that hatred has been passed down.

[newfreep]

Ginger Cartman for President!

[yarddog]

The Scots have the highest percentage of red heads in the world.

My Brother told me it was the Irish so I looked it up. Lots of famous red heads in history. King David, Ramses The Great, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and on and on.

[Oberon]

And Saxons. The ginger gene was probably well-represented among the Saxons.

[Mollypitcher1]

I agree.

[KC Burke]

I think I saw a segment of this some years ago and was not mesmerized. However, the 2005 movie is exceptional. Cast is outstanding.

[MrEdd]

Ireland and Scotland.
A lot of Celts are redheads.

[CyberAnt]

I love this movie. I have it on DVD; and recently pulled it out to re-watch again.

My interest lies in the actual character of each of the stars; both strong; stubborn; confident in themselves.

It may be hard for some younger people today to really grasp the complexities of the story .. but dating in that time period was nothing like it is today. Once you stop trying to measure it against today’s guidelines, you can just enjoy the story of two very strong-willed people who manage to find each other; in spite of themselves.

Love the story.

[originalbuckeye]

And the term ‘ginger’ for redheads came from Britain. Do you remember when Prince Harry was born and Prince Charles reportedly said ‘oh, and he’s ginger’?

[BitWielder1]

Pride And Prejudice = Women Talking Incessantly.
My wife loves it, I've never managed to stay awake through the whole thing.

[Mrs. Don-o]

True.

I suppose she got a pass because of her beautiful shoulders.

[Gay State Conservative]

My fairly extensive knowledge of British TV/films...particularly Britcoms...has taught me that in Britain the word “ginger” can mean light hair/fair skin *or* fag.

[elcid1970]

In South Carolina, “ginger” refers to a light skinned black, especially if there are freckles.

[Hildy]

He shines in my favorite Christmas chick flick, Love, Actually.