© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The iconic Mr. Darcy shirt was auctioned off today

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

An auction in London today focused on costumes from period dramas, including one very special item.

KERRY TAYLOR: Oh, my word. Everyone's got so excited about this lot. So it's Colin Firth's wet shirt.

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

Oh, yes, the very shirt Colin Firth wore in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride And Prejudice" - you know, that scene where his character, Mr. Darcy, jumps into a lake?

(SOUNDBITE OF WATER SPLASHING)

SHAPIRO: Then he has that awkward interaction with Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth Bennet.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE")

JENNIFER EHLE: (As Elizabeth Bennet) Mr. Darcy.

COLIN FIRTH: (As Mr. Darcy) Miss Bennett, I...

EHLE: (As Elizabeth Bennet) I did not expect to see you, sir.

TAYLOR: It was a very sexually charged moment.

CHANG: Kerry Taylor hosted the auction.

TAYLOR: But being the BBC, no nudity is allowed, so hence him having to wear this dripping white shirt.

CHANG: Taylor says that white shirt and moment holds a place in people's hearts.

TAYLOR: We've had so many emails from women and men, actually, who say that, you know, they love this particular production of "Pride And Prejudice." They love this scene. I mean, I remember seeing it and being completely knocked out by it.

SHAPIRO: In fact, Taylor bid on the lot herself, which included Firth's whole outfit from the scene, breeches and all. In the end, she was outbid.

TAYLOR: Gavel raised at 20,000.

(SOUNDBITE OF GAVEL BANGING)

TAYLOR: Sold.

(APPLAUSE)

CHANG: All proceeds from the auction will go to the arts-based organization, The Bright Foundation.

(SOUNDBITE OF MYA SONG, "ANYTIME") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Gus Contreras
[Copyright 2024 NPR]