A Definitive Pride & Prejudice List: Mr. Darcys, Ranked from Hot to Hottest

Whatever your priorities, a Darcy's sexiness isn't just about fine eyes. It's also about chemistry with their co-stars, smoothness on the dance floor, and how hard they made us swoon. Here's a definitive list of famous Darcys, ranked in order of hotness.

Disclaimer: There have been at least 35 film versions of P&P if you include modern reworkings, web series, and sequels. We've chosen six of the most popular Darcys for this list. Sorry, weird Hallmark P&Ps!

6. Martin Henderson (Bride & Prejudice, 2014): Sure, he's handsome… but this Darcy is just so bland. It doesn't help that Naveen Andrews' Bingley is sexy, charismatic, and a terrific dancer. Why would anyone be attracted to Darcy with guys like that around?

• Pros: Great face, great hair, and unlike most Darcys we get to see him lounging shirtless by the pool.
• Cons: Next to the luminous Aishwarya Rai and the rest of this wonderful cast, Henderson's Darcy just fades into the background.
• Conclusion: He, a beauty? I should as soon call Mr. Collins a wit.

5. Laurence Olivier (Pride & Prejudice, 1940): If this was a ranking of actors who brought the essence of Darcy to life, Olivier would be much higher up. But unfortunately, time has not been kind to all aspects of this performance, and while he's definitely handsome he's not really 'hot'.

• Pros: Perfect 'look', excellent longing stares, and a better kisser than you usually see in movies from this time period (when 'smash your mouths together and shake your head' seemed to be a thing).
• Cons: It's hard to get past the affected style of acting that was in vogue at this time, and overt theatricality just isn't sexy. Also, while remaining tightly buttoned-up is period appropriate, this Darcy still loses points for his starchiness.
• Conclusion: He is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.

4. Sam Riley (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, 2016): Now's a good time to remind you that this list isn't about 'the definitive interpretation of Darcy', it's about 'the hottest Darcy'. Sure, Jane Austen didn't write any scenes where Darcy beheads an undead horde… but didn't Sam Riley look great doing it? And wasn't it extra hot that he fell in love with Elizabeth because of her skill in battle?

• Pros: The intensity of his stare, the badassery of his zombie slaying, and his sexy raspy voice. Has he been chewing glass? No, he's been chewing DANGER.
• Cons: Riley and co-star Lily James didn't quite have the chemistry we craved, in spite of their cleverly choreographed fight. And Riley's stylist did him no favors, what with the early-Bieber hairstyle and the leather coat that was trying way too hard.
• Conclusion: Sensible, handsome, and good with a katana – which a young man ought to be, if he possibly can.

3. Matthew Rhys (Death Comes to Pemberley, 2013): Every Darcy listicle has to cut out a ton of 'takes' on P&P. The fact that this miniseries tends to survive the cull is a testament to the strength of the murder-mystery/sequel and its two leads. Although Rhys isn't classically handsome, his combination of tenderness and strength creates some good sizzle.

• Pros: Rhys nails the stern, strong charisma that we want from Darcy, and his chemistry with Anna Maxwell-Martin's Lizzie is great. We see much more of Darcy's personal life here than we do in P&P, but – somewhat miraculously – that doesn't take away from his slightly mysterious appeal. Not into craggy faces and floppy hair at the beginning? You will be by the end.
• Cons: The tension in Death Comes to Pemberly is high, and it's disappointing that we only get a glimpse of Darcy as a relaxed, playful spouse. And not to be too thirsty about it, but would it have killed them to do more than 10 seconds of that bedroom scene?
• Conclusion: I do, I do like him! I love him.

2. Colin Firth (BBC Pride & Prejudice, 1995): For many people, this is the definitive Darcy – and deservedly so. He may not have abs on display like the first Darcy on our list, but it's still Colin Freakin' Firth. You know he's sexy, and so does your mom.

• Pros: Tall, handsome, and able to play the full range of Darcy's haughtiness (hot) and vulnerability (also hot). Firth gets 6 hours of runtime, so he also has the luxury of starting out genuinely arrogant before evolving into a better man for the woman he loves. What's sexier than that?
• Cons: We're nitpicking here, but the wardrobe didn't always do Firth-Darcy any favors. It's hard to swoon when you're overwhelmed by the tallness of a man's hat. Must his hat be so tall?!
• Conclusion: Firth-Darcy, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

1. Matthew Macfadyen (Pride & Prejudice, 2005): C'mon, you knew who would be at the top of this list. Macfadyen's Darcy is less haughty than he is broody, even shy – though this aspect of his character often gets drowned out in all of the thirst and hand-flexing memes.

• Pros: He's broody but sensitive. He's sweet to his sister but has a temper when provoked. That iconic walk across the fields shows a scandalous amount of chest hair, and we're here for it.
• Cons: None. How dare you.
• Conclusion: He has bewitched me body and soul.

Honorable Mentions:

Daniel Vincent Gordh, 'The Lizzie Bennet Diaries', 2012. A surprisingly delightful performance from a surprisingly delightful webseries.

David Rintoul 'Pride and Prejudice', 1980. I have to admit I never understood the appeal of this very stiff Darcy or this very 80's miniseries, but many fans adore Rintoul's Darcy so he deserves a nod.

JJ Feild, 'Austenland', 2013. Technically Mr. Nobley, not Mr. Darcy. But the character is so clearly Darcy-based that Feild still gets credit for somehow managing to bring the heat in an otherwise silly movie.