The “terrifying” 2005 role that spurred Keira Knightley to greatness: “There’s a huge pressure”
Keira Knightley struck gold when she was just 12 years old, landing a small role in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace… The young star had only acted in a few small roles in British productions until this point, but now, she had Hollywood at her fingertips.
By the time she was 17, she’d appeared in the likes of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and the popular Christmas rom-com Love Actually, her star power rising fast before she’d even hit adulthood. It wasn’t long, then, before she was offered leading roles in major pictures, her well-spoken, quintessentially British sensibility an admirable quality for many producers.
One of these, however, proved to be an enormous challenge, yet one she grabbed by the horns and embraced in spite of the difficulties she was presented with. At the age of 20, she was given the mighty task of playing Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, one of the most iconic characters to have ever graced the English canon.
A beloved figure conjured up by Jane Austen, the character has become an inspiration to many women since Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. While the family are keen to ensure that the five Bennet sisters all find husbands to secure their financial stability, Lizzie, as she is affectionately known, isn’t going to settle for just anyone.
She’s independent and headstrong, and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind, yet she ultimately opens herself up to love when she finds Mr Darcy – even if her initial opinion of him is far from flattering. But that’s why Elizabeth is so loved as a character; she admits to her prejudices, and she learns from them.
Knightley knew that it would be a huge task bringing Lizzie to life, especially since she had been portrayed so well by Jennifer Ehle in the 1995 BBC miniseries that had received such acclaim. “I think she’s one of the best roles in literature,” the actor told Leeds Guide. “There’s a huge pressure.”
She admitted that it wasn’t going to be easy to embody the character, because she has become such a personal figure for so many readers over the years. “It’s terrifying because when you read Pride and Prejudice, you feel like you own her. I know I did. Everybody has a very clear idea of who Elizabeth Bennet is,” Knightley said. “It’s terrifying but a really exciting challenge.”
The actor gave a terrific performance as Lizzie, with the 2005 movie often cited as the greatest adaptation of the book, sparking fierce debate with those of us who are 1995 purists. Wright’s version is still undeniably beautiful, though, and Knightley makes for a perfect Elizabeth. Until this point, she’d not given a greater performance, and it still remains one of her most impressive, although she’d soon collaborate with Wright again for another career highlight in the form of Atonement.
Pride and Prejudice was a turning point for Knightley, however, setting her up for many more multifaceted roles. She didn’t have to fear any part; she’d already tackled one of literature’s most iconic.
