New father Jack Lowden is back on set after taking paternity leave, preparing to reprise his role as Mr. Darcy in Netflix's six-part Pride and Prejudice. The Slow Horses star, 35, welcomed his first child with Irish actress Saoirse Ronan earlier this month, with the couple’s baby not publicly named. Lowden’s return to work comes as filming for the highly anticipated drama resumes following the family arrival.
Filming for Pride and Prejudice has slowed since Lowden’s leave, with producers said to have used lookalikes to keep production moving while the star focused on family. The project co-stars Emma Corrin as Lizzie Bennet and Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet. Pride and Prejudice is set for release in 2026.
Meanwhile, Lowden’s other well-known project, Slow Horses, returns for its fifth series this week on Apple TV, with him again playing MI5 agent River Cartwright. The drama’s return comes as Lowden continues to balance a demanding onscreen schedule with fatherhood. The production cadence has shifted in recent months, but the team remains confident that the new season will meet fans’ expectations.
The actor and Little Women star Saoirse Ronan, 31, were married last year in Edinburgh, and the couple were seen this month for the first time with their newborn during a stroll with a pram. The baby has not been publicly named, and representatives have not disclosed further details.
In public appearances this month, Lowden has been photographed in North London, where he was seen loosening up with a jog and light stretches in a park as he returns to filming and adjusts to life as a new parent. The timing underscores how high-profile actors often juggle major projects with family life, especially when a new child arrives during a peak production period.
The Pride and Prejudice project has generated significant buzz, in part because of the star-studded cast and Netflix’s push to adapt classic literature for a modern streaming audience. With Corrin and Colman in key roles and a 2026 release window, the series is positioned as a high-profile title for next decade’s streaming lineup. Lowden remains a linchpin of the ensemble, and his return to the role of Darcy is closely watched by fans of Austen’s work and the broader Jane Austen adaptation landscape.
As Lowden resumes both sets, industry observers note the challenges and opportunities that come with balancing new parenthood with demanding filming schedules. The multi-project year for the actor mirrors a broader trend in which leading performers navigate personal milestones while continuing to drive high-profile television and film projects. For fans, the convergence of a beloved period drama and a suspenseful contemporary series offers a timely reminder of how culture and entertainment intersect with real life in the modern era.