A New Hallmark Movie 'Unleashing Mr. Darcy' to premiere January 23, 2016!

I wouldn't have noticed there's a new movie with Mr. Darcy's name as part of the movie's title, had I not been following and watching Hallmark channel's annual Countdown to Christmas movies a lot lately and, of course, my social media feed. The P&P fan in me instantly notices anything P&P/Austen and Darcy related things or mentions, lol. Yes, I'll admit, I love Hallmark and their typical romantic (with happy ending) movies (after all, P&P's timeless story probably inspired them all) and their feel-good original Christmas movies that I love watching (my guilty pleasure) and gets me into the Christmas holiday spirit and mood. I didn't see the title of this new movie on their promo preview until I saw the list of Hallmark movies in the WinterFest 2016  movies Schedule that will be airing in the New Year as part of Hallmark's WinterFest 2016 of new original movies for all of January 2016.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is the interesting title of the new movie premiering in the New Year on Hallmark channel on January 23rd, 2016. It got me curious and I immediately went into google search mode to find more info. about the movie. The new Hallmark movie was adapted from Teri Wilson's novel of the same title, which was released in 2013 and a modern re-telling of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice. Hallmark has started a page on their website for the movie with the following synopsis:

Fishing for direction in life, Elizabeth gets the opportunity of showing her dog in a fancy New York dog show. The judge, Donovan Darcy, comes across as aristocratic and rude, and a chain of misunderstandings unfold during the competition, complicating their attraction to one another. Based on characters by Jane Austen. 

Watch a WinterFest 2016 teaser promo video featuring Unleashing Mr. Darcy's Elizabeth & Darcy (see a few screen caps included) below...

Unleashing Mr. Darcy - The Cast

I've never heard most of these actors cast in Unleashing Mr. Darcy movie before, except for one familiar face, the veteran actress Frances Fisher. It stars Ryan Paevey (General Hospital) as Donovan Darcy (Hmm, why not Fitzwilliam, Will or William would've been nice, right?), Cindy Busby (Cedar Cove) as Elizabeth Scott (Bennet last name has been changed to Scott), Tammy Gillis as Jenna Scott (aka Jane Bennet), Liviu Rain as Mr. Bingley, Sarah Desjardens as Zara Darcy (aka Georgiana Darcy), Ty Wood as Joe Markham (Mr. Wickham?), and Frances Fisher (Rose's mom in Titanic film with Kate Winslet & Leo DiCaprio) as Darcy's Aunt (I'm guessing Lady Catherine, but her name could be changed into just Catherine or another name). Premieres Saturday, January 23 at 9 pm/7c on Hallmark Channel. 

See more cast & crew IMDB List here.

Also, I found a few Unleashing Mr. Darcy on set photos on Twitter and Instagram from author Teri Wilson and the actors themselves Ryan Paevey, Cindy Busby, and Frances Fisher.

So yes. Ryan Paevey has a lead role in #UnleashingMrDarcy. Thrilled to have him on board! So charming. @RyanPaevey pic.twitter.com/7D7ovj2bFN

— Teri Wilson (@TeriWilsonauthr) November 24, 2015

Mark your calendars!! We've got an air date! January 23 xo #unleashingmrdarcy Unleashing Mr. Darcy Hallmark Channel https://t.co/kImVRvl2YW

— Teri Wilson (@TeriWilsonauthr) December 6, 2015

Mark Your calendars! The premiere of "Unleashing Mr Darcy" January 23rd 9/8c on @hallmarkchannel #unleashingmrdarcy https://t.co/NJvlhcsr6H

— Cindy Busby (@cindy_busby) December 6, 2015

Obsessed w/the gorgeous dress @cindy_busby wears in the #UnleashingMrDarcy ballroom scene. Obsessed #hallmarkchannel pic.twitter.com/VjDh2eO0LZ

— Teri Wilson (@TeriWilsonauthr) December 2, 2015

My very best James Bond. #sharpdressedman #feelingdapper #keepingthissuit

A photo posted by Ryan Paevey-Vlieger (@ryanpaeveyvlieger) on Nov 19, 2015 at 3:47pm PST

My incredible co-star... She outshines me every time! 👩🏼🐶#unleashingmrdarcy #hallmarkchannel #dog

A photo posted by Cindy Busby (@hotash18) on Nov 24, 2015 at 10:47pm PST

Hard to call it work when I get to play with my screen nephew @ryanpaeveyvlieger #UnleashingMrDarcy #HallmarkChannel #RyanPaevey #GoodMan

A photo posted by francesfisher (@francesfisher) on Nov 19, 2015 at 11:53pm PST

 
As for the book, Unleashing Mr. Darcy, you can read an excerpt here on Teri Wilson's website.

UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (12.31.13)

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman teetering on the verge of thirty must be in want of a husband.

Not true for Manhattanite Elizabeth Scott. Instead of planning a walk down the aisle, she's crossing the pond with the only companion she needs—her darling dog, Bliss. Caring for a pack of show dogs in England seems the perfect distraction from the scandal that ruined her teaching career, and her reputation, in New York. What she doesn't count on is an unstoppable attraction to billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. The London tycoon's a little bit arrogant, a whole lot sexy…and the chemistry between them is disarming. When passion is finally unleashed, might Elizabeth hope to take home more than a blue ribbon?