Possible sequels to Pride and Prejudice, inspired by the Bridget Jones books.

Bridget Jones, known as a modern version of Elizabeth Bennet, or at least as a woman in love with an emotionally unavailable man, caused a real sensation when her diary was published in 1996. Written by Helen Fielding, this text simultaneously drew mockery and praise for its portrayal of a neurotic yet cheerful "singleton" of modern times, exploding book sales that exceeded 15 million copies. Three sequels were subsequently written, which formed the basis for two blockbusters, differing in quality. Recently, there have been reports that a fourth installment of the franchise is in the works. This new film is based on the final, and somewhat controversial, 2013 novel "Mad About the Boy," in which Bridget becomes a widow and seeks new love. I still consider the original diary one of the most successful literary and cinematic adaptations (argue with me), but the sequels have made me ponder. Without the perfect plot structure of "Pride and Prejudice," which supported her journey, Bridget's antics ranged from embarrassing to bizarre. (An arrest in Thailand!? Vegan condoms exploding from pressure?!). Preparing myself emotionally to watch yet another story about Bridget on the plane, I reflected on how the sequels relate to the original work. At what point and where did Bridget drift so far from Lizzy? This led me to a thought experiment. What if Fielding's inspiring text—namely, Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"—also had its sequels, similar to "Bridget Jones"? Could we extract something from testing crazy modern plots within the clear framework of the nineteenth century? Perhaps, by following the original Darcys, we might find a better resolution for these wonderful characters? Reader, what follows is the result of my reflections. Or: three synopses of sequels to a beloved romantic comedy.

On the edge of reason

In the first sequel to Fielding's work, "On the Edge of Reason," Bridget suffers from jealousy towards her new boyfriend Mark (Colin Firth), who is too friendly with his colleague. Her friends urge her to break off the relationship — this plot twist was borrowed by Fielding from another Austen novel, "Persuasion." After an emotionally difficult breakup, Bridget goes to Thailand for a work assignment and, according to Rotten Tomatoes, "starts an affair with her dubious ex, Daniel (Hugh Grant)." Some other strange events occur, but by the end of the book and the film, Bridget and Mark reconcile. Now imagine how this plot could be adapted for the Regency era...

Pride and Prejudice: On the Edge of Reason

After Lizzy angered Lady Catherine and fled to Pemberley, she and Fitz find a common rhythm. Lizzy now has enough land to dirty a million dress hems. But since the landowners aren't working, the storyline about Mark and Rebecca getting involved in business doesn't quite match reality. Instead, let's take a page from Fielding and use another work by Austen for this episode in the old story. Is "Mansfield Park" familiar to anyone? In "Pride and Prejudice: At the Edge of Reason," Fitz goes to the colonies to oversee profitable enterprises (read: sugar plantations) that sustain his fortune. He is accompanied by his best friend Bingley, as well as Lady Catherine, her daughter, and the well-meaning Pastor Collins, who dreams of a missionary career. At first, Lizzy is bored in her husband's absence (as a reminder, NO ONE IS WORKING), and she invites her old friend Charlotte for a long visit. Thrilled to be away from her husband, Mrs. Collins is eager to throw a party. She insists on organizing a ball at Pemberley. But the wayward Bennet sisters inadvertently join in the preparations for the evening, and before Lizzy can object, everything spirals out of control. On the night of the ball, an epic party begins. Expensive vases are at risk. Unfortunately, Lydia hasn't spared her raucous husband either. But unexpectedly, Mr. Wickham elicits sympathy; his marriage to Lydia has clearly broken him. There’s a drawn-out drinking scene where Lizzy wanders around her estate with her ex, who, between us, remains charming. But in a manipulative move, Wickham tells Lizzy about the sources of Darcy's wealth, which he has always been reticent about. Learning what is really happening on the plantations in Antigua leaves our heroine in turmoil. The rest of this sequel will follow Lizzy's moral crisis. Can she continue to enjoy a luxurious life at Pemberley, knowing where the money comes from?

When Darcy returns, a heated confrontation occurs. Lizzy wants him to renounce their status and make amends; the unemployed stubborn man disagrees. The situation seems hopeless for the couple until Lizzy wakes up early one morning and accidentally catches her husband jumping into his favorite lake.I can come to terms with this.— she thinks, pulling back the silk curtains to get a better look at Fitsa covered in droplets of water. They kiss and make up before making a half-hearted promise to give up sugar for the long term, deciding to boycott it for a short while instead.

Sadness about a man

In the third book and its adaptation, Mark Darcy takes a back seat. It turns out that he and Bridget couldn't maintain "the charm, body, and soul." At the beginning of the book and the film, we meet Jones, who is successful at work but feels lost in love. That is until an American appears to sweep her off her feet. A romance follows, then an unexpected twist with the return of an ex. Mark and Bridget unpredictably grow close again. But soon a zygote appears... who is the father? Chaos ensues!

Lizzy Bennet: Sorrows over a man

It's quite difficult to adapt this for the Regency period, considering that divorce in England was practically banned until 1857. (And even then, according to Sibylla Woolf's research, divorce was "granted by Parliament only in cases of marital infidelity, and a woman could not file for divorce without additional circumstances such as incest or polygamy"). Let's assume that in the third continuation, Lizzy and Fitz are only experiencing Alienation of Affections. At the beginning of this continuation, Darcy lives like many other depressed/fictional English couples: Edward Casaubon and Dorothea Brooke from "Middlemarch." It's not surprising to imagine the silent Darcy retreating to his study, like his Victorian descendant. But what could have caused such a "flight from the nest"? To adapt the plot of kinship for that era, perhaps Lizzy and Fitz's problems arose from their inability to have an heir, despite their continued love for each other. Lizzy is already approaching thirty, and her mother begins to pressure her actively. Meanwhile, Jane and Bingley are already blessed with a number of fair-haired children. Charlotte has already become a mother of twins. Consequently, Darcy feels isolated. The marriage is burdened by societal bias and Fitz's pride. This third continuation will follow the slow reunion of the couple and seek ways to reconcile with their family circumstances. I see it as an introspective, self-awareness developing text. Lizzy will spend a lot of time communicating with her proud childless sister Mary and will begin to see her as she has always been—a smart girl. The book concludes with the couple going on a date vacation to the lakes with the Gardiners. Everyone is uplifted, and there is joy for all!Who needs heirs?

Fielding really surprised fans in 2013 with "Mad About You," the sequel where Bridget Jones becomes a widow and mother of two. That's right, Darcy died, starting. (But he went out in a blaze of heroism, stepping on a mine "while negotiating the release of humanitarian workers in Sudan.") This fourth Bridget sequel, brought to screens on Roku in 2025, brings the familiar formula with elements of drama. Bridget dates, grieves, and then starts dating again. She's still confused, but it's for good reasons. And since this is a romantic comedy, in the end, she is destined to find love again.

Lizzy Bennet: Sorrows over a man

This plot could easily fit into the Regency era. But I want something new. Let's suppose that in our fourth and final(?) continuation of "Pride and Prejudice," Fitz returns to the West Indies, considering his and Lizzy's renewed interest in renouncing their family status. (They had plenty of time to reflect on their values during those years spent in luxury, feasting, and solitary love in their estate.) But during a plantation tour in Antigua, Darcy is killed in a rebellion. A grieving Lizzy returns to England alone. Her friends and family surround her with care. She takes up horseback riding and reads books. By the end, she meets a young poor handsome man after William Wilberforce and becomes part of the abolitionist movement. It's hard to cope with the loss of Mark—sorry, Fitz—but Lizzy finds a new circle of friends among the Quakers fighting for freedom. Anticipating her spiritual descendant, Jo March, she and her new suitor reorganize Pemberley into a revolutionary integrated school for girls.And once again, so much joy!