Murder, Manners & Mr Darcy: Death Comes to Pemberley at the New Theatre Cardiff
If you thought the drama ended with Pride and Prejudice, think again.
Death Comes to Pemberley sweeps into the New Theatre Cardiff with all the elegance of a Regency ball—and the intrigue of a midnight murder. Adapted from P.D. James’ bestselling sequel to Jane Austen’s beloved classic, this theatrical world premiere is a delicious cocktail of romance, mystery, and scandal, shaken with a dash of EastEnders and stirred with a spoonful of suspense.
Set six years after Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy’s happily-ever-after, the play plunges us back into the world of Pemberley, where the arrival of Lydia Wickham (never one to enter quietly) sets off a chain of events that threatens to unravel everything. With a murder in the woods and suspicion falling on the ever-dubious George Wickham, the genteel façade of country life begins to crack—and secrets start to seep through.
Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and adapted by Duncan Abel and Rachel Wagstaff (the minds behind The Girl on the Trainand The Da Vinci Code stage adaptations), this production is a masterclass in balancing period drama with modern pacing. The cast is stellar: James Bye (yes, that Martin Fowler from EastEnders) brings a brooding intensity to Mr Darcy, while Jamie-Rose Duke’s Elizabeth is sharp, spirited, and utterly magnetic. The ensemble delivers with flair, making the twists and turns feel fresh and thrilling.
Whether you’re a lifelong Austen devotee or just here for the murder mystery vibes, Death Comes to Pemberley offers something for everyone. It’s witty, gripping, and gorgeously staged—think candlelit corridors, rustling gowns, and the kind of tension that makes you lean forward in your seat.
So, whether you're 19 or 90, this is one night at the theatre that promises drama, delight, and a few raised eyebrows. Just don’t expect everyone to make it out with their reputation intact…
Death Comes to Pemberley runs at the New Theatre Cardiff from 29 July to 2 August 2025—click the link here for tickets and full details.