The series is based on P. D. James's 2011 best-selling murder mystery novel, which itself borrows the style and characters from Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice.

The three-part drama was commissioned by BBC Drama Commissioning Controller Ben Stephenson and then-BBC One Controller Danny Cohen, and first aired from 26 to 28 December 2013 on BBC One.

Actor Tom Ward, who plays Colonel Fitzwilliam, is the only cast member who had previously appeared in a Pride and Prejudice adaptation, having played Lt Chamberlayne in the 1995 BBC version.

The cast was announced on 18 June 2013, with casting handled by Gary Davy.

Filming began in June 2013 in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, supported by investment from Screen Yorkshire.

Chatsworth House in Derbyshire served as the exterior of Pemberley, while interior scenes were shot at Chatsworth as well as Castle Howard and Harewood House in Yorkshire.

National Trust properties including Hardcastle Crags, Fountains Abbey, the Studley Royal estate and Treasurer's House were also used as filming locations.

Beverley's Guildhall was used as the location for a courtroom scene, while gallows scenes were filmed on a purpose-built scaffold outside York Crown Court, with Wickham shown emerging from the gate of the old debtors' prison at the York Museum.

The Guardian described the first episode as a respectful yet distinct "mashup" of Austen's period drama with the style of Agatha Christie or Midsomer Murders, and later called the full series "pretty much perfect Christmas TV".

Lina Talbot of The Independent particularly praised the casting choices for Mr and Mrs Bennet, while Radio Times highlighted the production values and the "meaty" plot.