Matthew Macfadyen reveals why he HATED playing iconic Pride & Prejudice role: 'I wish I had enjoyed it'

Matthew Macfadyen has revealed he did not enjoy playing Mr Darcy in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice despite the job being one of his most prolific to date - admitting he did not feel 'dishy enough.'

The Emmy award-winning Succession star, 49, portrayed the leading man alongside Keira Knightley in what has been described as his most prominent early role.

However, speaking to correspondent Anthony Mason on Tuesday's episode of CBS Mornings, Matthew admitted he believed he had been 'miscast' for the part and didn't feel confident during production.

'You said you didn't really enjoy playing Darcy,' Anthony asked, to which Matthew responded, 'No, I didn't really.'

Matthew Macfadyen has revealed he did not enjoy playing Mr Darcy in Pride & Prejudice

The British actor, 49, portrayed the leading man in Joe Wright's adaptation of the Jane Austen novel in 2005 

After a probe from Anthony, Matthew explained: 'I feel bad saying that. 

'There were moments where I had a good time, but I wish I would have enjoyed it more. I wish I was less worried about it.

'Maybe I felt a bit miscast. I'm not dishy enough. But it worked out.'

Matthew shared the screen alongside a 20-year-old Keira in Pride & Prejudice, the adaptation of Jane Austen's romantic novel of the same name.

Directed by Joe Wright in his feature directorial debut, Keira, 39, starred as Matthew's love interest Elizabeth Bennet.

She would go on to secure a nomination for Best Actress at the 78th Academy Awards for her performance, making her the third-youngest nominee for the award at the time. 

Donald Sutherland, Rosamund Pike, Tom Hollander, Dame Judi Dench, and Carey Mulligan also had roles in the movie.

Pride & Prejudice was a box office hit and grossed an impressive $121.6 million worldwide on a budget of $28 million. 

Matthew, who starred opposite Keira Knightley in the film, admitted he didn't feel 'dishy enough' 

He told CBS Mornings: 'There were moments where I had a good time, but I wish I would have enjoyed it more. I wish I was less worried about it' 

The film adaptation came nine years after the six-episode television drama which starred Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the leading roles as Darcy and Elizabeth. 

Mr Darcy actors Matthew and Colin would later go on to star alongside each other in the 2021 war drama, Operation Mincemeat. 

When asked whether the duo ever compared notes, Matthew said: 'Yes, yes, yes. Exhaustively, extensively.'

Reflecting on the film's legacy, he told Anthony: 'I think the most exciting thing that happens to me now is people say, "Are you Mr Darcy?"

'And it’s a good 20 years later, so I think I can’t be aging that badly.'

Keira won a Best Actress nod at the 78th Academy Awards for her performance 

The 2005 Pride & Prejudice film came nine years after the TV series, starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth

In an interview with Daily Mail in 2005 ahead of the film's release, Matthew, who is married to actress Keeley Hawes, said he found Darcy to be 'very sympathetic.'

He added: 'I find it heartbreaking that he's seen as very haughty and proud - and he is those things - but he's a young man who is still grieving for his parents.

'He's from an ancient family and has this huge responsibility, but it seemed to me that he's still trying to work out who he is and how to be in the world. 

'I found that very interesting, and I found him very sympathetic.'

The dad-of-two also admitted: 'I hadn't read the novel before we shot the film. He is based on the script.'