"The Search Is Over": Rising Talent Lizzie Bennet Cast as William Darcy's Leading Lady
Representatives from Austen Studios made a surprise announcement this morning that upcoming actress Lizzie Bennet, best known for her understudy work on Broadway, has been cast as half-British hunk William Darcy's co-star for the highly-anticipated By the Numbers movie, meant to hit theaters summer next year.
Miss Bennet snags the role from hotly-rumored Jessica Philips, Kylie Hurst, and Liselle Denny, who have all been reported as having auditioned for the coveted romantic role. Director Ed Gardiner, who has been attached to the project since last May, appeared beside studio chief Marcus Holmes during the announcement. When questioned by reporters, By the Numbers author Charlotte Lucas commented, "The search is over. We've found our Kaitlyn Jones, and she is transcendent."
Both William Darcy's and Lizzie Bennet's agents have declined to comment.
"Transcendent isn't half bad, I guess?" Lizzie holds her iPad, upside-down, above her face as she stretches herself just that much longer on the couch. At least her home couch is roomier than the one backstage at the Richard Rodgers. It's strange to be home these days – no rehearsals or costumes or company calls. Theater was her first love – but she still wants more than Monday nights free. Broadway life equals permanent graveyard shift.
"Always figured you'd be more thankful." Kitty doesn't even look up from her laptop. The hipster glasses hide it a little, but her wide eyes look every bit like Aunt Mae's. "You know how many strings I pulled to get you on the audition list?"
"Because I'm transcendent and wonderful?"
"Charlotte Lucas's words – not mine." Kitty smirks. "I'm just your roommate. What do I know?"
"So you didn't break your never-working-for-family rule for me because I'm just that good? Kitty, I'm appalled."
Her agent laughs, still typing away on her laptop. "First cousins don't count as immediate family, so you're really not that special. Plus I really want my roommate to start paying rent."
"I so do pay rent."
"Sure, you do." Kitty shrugs. She pauses, eyes scanning whatever she's just typed, before resuming her rhythm. "Get ready to save up even more once we hit LA though."
"I thought we were filming in New York?" Lizzie pivots herself upright, her back thanking her when she finally props it upright against the back of the couch – the way God made it. "The casting director said – "
"We're filming the first one in New York." Kitty smiles, throws her a glance, then starts scrolling and clicking. "If the film makes it big – which we definitely want it to – your contract stipulates that you start filming the next two a month after press tours conclude."
It's the chance of a lifetime – a role of a lifetime. It's guaranteed income and household-name-status before she's twenty-three – and there will be endless doors in Hollywood that will finally open. With Hamilton as well as movie cred on her résumé, she's basically secured the fact that she'll have a career in acting, as long as she stays sober.
It's her big break – and she knows it.
It just sucks that the big break comes with the big bad wolf.
"Why does it have to be him though," Lizzie laments, plopping the iPad on her lap.
"What's that?"
"William Darcy," Lizzie mumbles, the wound as fresh as ever. "The only person in the whole wide world who deserves to be called an actor, apparently."
"Still bitter over that one comment?" Kitty basically voices her eye roll. "You know the number of ladies who would kill to have your job right now."
"I know. I know." Lizzie groans. She rubs her right eye with the bottom of her wrist. "But not all these actresses have had to endure him and his forever-chipper agent who just happens to be dating my sister."
"What did he say to you at that party again?"
"'Everyone wants to be an actress. Not everyone is,'" Lizzie recites, verbatim.
"Maybe he didn't even see you. He was talking to someone else, right?"
"So?"
"It's not exactly an insult."
"Seriously?"
"He was stating a fact. He just didn't realize you actually are an actress."
"Well, he's gonna eat his words now." Lizzie seethes.
"See?" Kitty smirks. "Silver lining."
"But how will I manage to act in love against the worst possible love interest ever?"
Kitty pauses, just a bit. "But you nailed your chemistry read. They would never have cast you otherwise."
"Fairy dust luck." Lizzie sighs.
"Well -" Kitty shuts her laptop at last. "The fairies have just landed us a seven-digit contract. If I were you - I'd stop complaining."
"This is it, Darce - I just know it." Bingley swirls the wine in his glass, his eyes as glazed over as the frosted window panes. The ring box he's just produced from his pocket - to Darcy's genuine surprise - sits on the varnished coffee table between them. "I know I've had doubts before, but I've never been more sure about anything in my life."
Darcy smirks before taking a sip from his own cocktail. He starts a little at the imbalance. He's really got to look into replacing his bartender. Hollywood home service isn't what it used to be.
"I suppose that's my cue to say I'm happy for you."
"Do you have to be so cynical?" Bingley shakes his head, but he doesn't fully suppress his grin. "Your best friend is about to propose to the love of his life."
Darcy scoffs. He makes sure to maintain a joking tone. "Best friend?"
"Agent, bosom friend - whatever." Bingley's grin is incorrigible. Since that one fateful year in college, Darcy's only met Jane Bennet a handful of times. She's always felt - bland - always too kind, too sweet, too angelic.
He's always been the type to prefer a little more fire in his leading ladies.
But, hey, that blank slate of a woman really is sort of perfect for the sensitive soul that is Charles Bingley.
Sometimes, Darcy wonders how his gentle giant of a friend ever manages to survive in the cutthroat industry that is Hollywood agency - but he's constantly thankful he has someone from a similar enough background to keep things real.
Directors, writers, journalists, actors, and even fans may come and go - but Bingley always hangs around.
So it's a little bittersweet to watch his best friend about to make another lifelong commitment that will probably outlive whatever camaraderie they have now.
"Romance on the big screen not enough for you?" Darcy quips. He takes one more sip before giving up on the drink altogether. Maybe he's better off sober tonight.
"I'm not the one in front of the cameras." Bingley grins sloppily - half drunk on love, apparently.
"It's all just acting." Darcy shrugs.
Bingley laughs - very loudly - definitely drunkly. "You are the last person in the world who should be acting in love. I don't know why they keep casting you."
"Wise words from my agent."
The laughing escalates. "It may be the half-British thing."
"You are too."
"But I'm more - robust. You're built." Bingley's grin is boyish and innocent. Darcy decides he is happy for his friend. A soul that pure deserves a happy ending. "No one wants to see a chubby Link Harrison - lonely New York billionaire."
Darcy rolls his eyes. These rom-com premises are ridiculous, half the time.
"Might as well have you act it, Darce." Bingley sighs as he sinks back against the expansive back cushion. "Not like you ever plan to fall in love in real life."
A/N: I know I swore off using "Lizzie" as the leading lady's name, but I drafted this story before that vow. Lol. I hope you'll like this modern version of ODC! I must admit I enjoyed modernizing Kitty and Bingley very much as well :) Please leave your thoughts!