The arrival of dashing and distinguished bachelor, Mr Bingley, sparks intrigue and excitement among the Bennet family.

At the Assembly Rooms Ball, Jane, the eldest Bennet daughter, attracts Bingley's eye. Likewise, Jane's instantly smitten with his charm and charisma. Meanwhile, his best friend, Mr Darcy, appears pompous and arrogant.

When Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Lizzie, Jane's sister, Darcy slights her by saying she's, 'tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me.' Lizzie's astonished to hear such censure and laughs it off to her best friend, Charlotte. At this moment, Darcy first notices Lizzie properly.  

At Sir William Lucas' party, Darcy is further captivated by Lizzie's playful manner and clever wit. When she turns him down for a dance, his fascination grows. 

Meanwhile, her younger sister, Lydia, flirts with anyone in a military uniform.

When Jane's invited to dine at Netherfield with Bingley's sisters, she catches a fever and is bedridden for days. Lizzie takes it upon herself to nurse her sick sister. But she's disconcerted at spending time in the company of Darcy, who she truly believes disapproves of her. However, his opinion of her is quite the opposite.

Lizzie's relieved to leave Netherfield. But Jane is pleased at capturing Bingley's heart.

As legal heir to their estate, the Bennets are forced to entertain their blundering cousin, Mr Collins.

The rector of a parsonage under the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins is both odious and pompous. Lizzie soon becomes the object of Mr Collins' affections and is subjected to his dire efforts at courtship.

On a walk into Meryton, the girls are introduced to a dashing officer called George Wickham.

At Mrs Phillips' party, Lizzie's surprised to discover Wickham grew up with Darcy. Wickham explains Darcy's father provided for him like he was his own son. He then makes a shocking revelation; Darcy refused point blank to certify the living that Wickham had been promised in old Mr Darcy's will. This scandal fuels Lizzie's hatred for Darcy further.

That night, Lizzie confides to Jane that she's fallen for Wickham's 'natural merriment and energy'.

At the Netherfield Ball, Lizzie's disappointed to learn that Wickham's been called away on urgent business. Meanwhile, Miss Bingley warns Lizzie not to give credit to all of Wickham's assertions and that 'Wickham treated Darcy in an infamous manner'. Later, Lizzie's subjected to dancing with Mr Collins and Darcy. To add insult to injury, Lizzie and Jane are further humiliated by the wild and reckless behaviour of their family.

The next day, Lizzie's horrified when Mr Collins proposes. She declines the offer, much to Mrs Bennet's anger.

Meanwhile, Jane's aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, entertain her in London, in the hope of brightening her spirits. Lizzie receives news from Jane revealing she was altogether deceived by Miss Bingley.

Winter soon passes and Lizzie's surprised to learn of Wickham's engagement to Miss King. Lizzie visits Charlotte in Kent, where they are forced to endure the company of Darcy's overbearing aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, pay their aunt an unexpected visit. Unknowingly, Lizzie continues to attract Darcy's attention.

Colonel Fitzwilliam reveals to Lizzie that Darcy boasts of having recently saved Bingley from 'the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage' as there were strong objections to the lady. Lizzie's outraged to discover that Darcy was responsible for separating Jane and Bingley.

Lizzie returns to Hunsford to reflect on this bombshell when Darcy unexpectedly arrives. He appears uneasy. Darcy suddenly declares that he 'ardently admires and loves' Lizzie. He asks her to marry him 'against his own better judgement'. After insulting her at every turn, it's no surprise that Lizzie declines Darcy's proposal.

Following Lizzie's marriage refusal, and her accusations concerning Jane and Wickham, Darcy's determined to defend his honour. He writes Lizzie a letter revealing that Wickham is a cad who declined any interest in the church and requested £5,000 instead.

Darcy continues by saying that Wickham tried to elope with his 15-year-old sister, Georgiana, in the hope of acquiring her £30,000 fortune. Finally, Darcy reveals that he did everything in his power to separate Bingley and Jane. He retorts that he strongly objected to the 'want of propriety' displayed by her family.

Lizzie returns to Longbourne. She's unsurprised to learn of Wickham's broken engagement to Miss King.

Meanwhile, Lydia and her sister, Kitty, are distraught that the regiment stationed at Meryton have moved to Brighton. However, Lydia's spirits are soon raised when she receives an invitation to Brighton from Colonel Forster's wife. Lizzie's deeply concerned that Lydia will expose the family to ridicule. She voices her fierce objections to her father but he is unmoved.

Mr and Mrs Gardiner invite Lizzie to Derbyshire. There they visit Pemberley, Darcy's grand and handsome estate. Lizzie's astonished at its beauty and even more astounded when the housekeeper sings nothing but praise for Darcy.

Elsewhere, Darcy is bathing in his lake. When he strolls back to the house, soaked in his wet breeches, he's shocked to see Lizzie. She doesn't know where to look! They make small talk before Darcy's swift exit. 

Lizzie feels she must leave immediately. As they make their way to the carriage, Darcy reappears and welcomes them properly. Lizzie's shocked by this sudden transformation in character.

Darcy reveals that his sister, Georgiana, is keen to make Lizzie's acquaintance and that Bingley and his sisters will soon be joining him at Pemberley.

Lizzie and the Gardiners are invited to dine at Pemberley with Bingley, his sisters, Darcy and Georgiana. Lizzie entertains the party with her delightful singing. The chemistry continues to sizzle between Lizzie and Darcy as they exchange smouldering looks.

After Lizzie's departure, Caroline Bingley takes great pleasure in criticising her. Darcy is quick to come to her defence by calling her one the most handsome women of his acquaintance.

The next morning, Lizzie receives alarming news from Jane; Lydia has eloped with Wickham to Gretna Green. Jane concludes that Mr Bennet and Colonel Forster have gone to London to locate them and begs for Mr Gardiner's assistance.

Meanwhile, Darcy unexpectedly arrives. His stunned reaction to the news leads Lizzie to believe that Lydia's elopement has brought disgrace upon her family.

Lizzie and the Gardiners immediately return to Longbourne. Elsewhere, Wickham and Lydia are keeping a low profile in London. Wickham soon begins to tire of her immaturity.

Mr Bennet returns with no news. Meanwhile, in a disreputable part of London, Darcy finally locates the whereabouts of Wickham and Lydia.

Mr Bennet receives news from Mr Gardiner. He reveals that Wickham and Lydia will marry if Mr Bennet agrees to the terms of their engagement. Mr Bennet is alarmed at these conditions. He suspects that Mr Gardiner has paid a great deal of money in order to bring about the marriage.

Lizzie regrets confiding in Darcy. Confused about her feelings, she can't bear to think that he's alive in the world, thinking ill of her.

Mrs Bennet rejoices at the prospect of Wickham marrying Lydia. Meanwhile, Mr Bennet is at a loss as to how much money Mr Gardiner put down to bring about the marriage. He declares Wickham would be a fool to accept anything less than £10,000. He confides to Lizzie that's he's heartily ashamed himself.

In a deserted registry office, Wickham and Lydia tie the knot, witnessed only by Darcy and the Gardiners.

Wickham and Lydia return to Longbourne. Lydia accidentally reveals that Darcy was present at the wedding.

Mrs Gardiner enlightens Lizzie about Darcy's role in uniting Wickham and Lydia. She reveals that Darcy bore all the expense and insisted that Mr Gardiner take the credit. She concludes that Darcy believed it was his fault that Wickham's character was not made known to the world.

News reaches Longbourne that Bingley and his party have returned to Netherfield.

After three anxious days waiting, Bingley and Darcy finally call upon them. It's clear Bingley is still very much in love with Jane. The next day, Bingley declares that he's always loved her and proposes. Jane accepts.

The arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh at Longbourne causes alarm. Lady Catherine's outraged by the rumour that her nephew, Darcy, is to marry Lizzie, when he is intended for her daughter. She demands that Lizzie promise never to enter into an engagement to Darcy. But Lizzie refuses.

Lady Catherine's objections to the marriage do not have their intended effect. During a walk in Meryton, Lizzie thanks Darcy for his kindness in bringing about Lydia's marriage. He reveals he did it solely for her and that his affections and wishes are unchanged. Lizzie declares that her feelings are quite the opposite to what they were.

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