Producer Sue Birtwistle and screenwriter Andrew Davies agreed to adapt Pride and Prejudice in autumn 1986 after watching a preview of an Austen's Northanger Abbey adaptation, but the project was delayed for years before the BBC finally commissioned it in 1993 with co-funding from the A&E Network.

Andrew Davies originally planned a five-episode adaptation, but TV scheduling needs forced him to expand it to six episodes, and he shifted the story's focus to emphasize both Elizabeth and Darcy, as well as themes of sex and money.

Colin Firth repeatedly turned down the role of Mr. Darcy, doubting he was right for it, until producer Sue Birtwistle's persistent coaxing and his own deeper examination of the character convinced him to accept.

Jennifer Ehle was chosen from six serious candidates for Elizabeth Bennet and was the only actor present throughout the entire filming schedule; she and Colin Firth began a real-life romantic relationship during production, which only became public after their breakup.

Crispin Bonham-Carter originally auditioned for the roguish Mr. Wickham but was instead cast as the good-natured Mr. Bingley for his physical contrast with Firth's Darcy, while Emilia Fox was cast as Darcy's sister Georgiana on the suggestion of director Simon Langton after over 70 actresses auditioned; Fox is the real daughter of Joanna David, who played Mrs. Gardiner.

Filming ran from June to November 1994 across 24 locations (mostly National Trust properties) and eight studio sets, including Lyme Hall as Pemberley's exterior and Sudbury Hall for its interiors after management issues at Lyme Hall.

For the famous lake scene, the BBC rejected the idea of Darcy appearing naked or in underpants, so Colin Firth was filmed fully dressed in a wet linen shirt, breeches and boots; a stuntman was hired for the dive due to risk of Weil's disease at Lyme Park, and an underwater segment was shot separately in a tank at Ealing Studios.

Composer Carl Davis recorded the score in six hours with up to 18 musicians, which was then piped into tiny earpieces so on-screen actors could mime playing instruments in sync during scenes.

The series directly inspired Helen Fielding to create Bridget Jones's Diary, naming her hero 'Mark Darcy' and describing him exactly like Colin Firth; Firth later played Mark Darcy in the film adaptations, effectively reprising his Mr. Darcy role.

The 1995 serial's UK VHS release sold out its entire first run of 12,000 copies within two hours, and Lyme Hall (used as Pemberley's exterior) saw its visitor numbers triple after the broadcast.