Mr Darcy Is Back! Goodbye Colin Firth, Hello Matthew Rhys

Forget Colin Firth and his wet shirt, there's a new Mr Darcy in town – and you've seen him before.

Mr Darcy has got some serious competition. It's almost 18 years since Colin Firth first emerged from that lake, and now there's a new actor in town ready to step into the star's famous wet brogues.

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys has been cast in the BBC's sequel to Pride & Prejudice, Death Comes To Pemberley.

Colin Firth and his delicious portrayal of the mean and elusive Darcy is one of our favourite afternoon daydreams, so as you can imagine, we're finding it hard to imagine another actor stepping into his shoes.

Talking to Deadline, Matthew said: "Exciting as it is, one of the challenges of a part such as Darcy are the comparisons that will be drawn to those who’ve institutionalised him in the past.

"And also, I don’t have to appear from a lake in a white shirt and breeches."

Well, that's a shame.

You'll recognise Matthew from playing lawyer Kevin Walker alongside Sally Field in the Emmy Award-winning series, Brothers And Sisters.

Ben Stephenson, head of BBC drama, told The Sunday Times that Matthew has been cast because he is "likeable and yet has a dark edge. We did not want a Milk Tray advert type of handsomeness".

Hmm, is it not just because of the curly hair? Either way, we'll definitely be watching. Death Comes To Pemberley is an adaptation of the PD James novel and will be broadcast this Christmas.

Will Matthew Rhys live up to Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Darcy? Let us know in the comments box below.

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