Andrew Davies, the veteran screenwriter renowned for his 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and the early Bridget Jones films, is drawing inspiration from an unexpected source for his latest Jane Austen project. The 89-year-old writer has been immersing himself in the entirety of the reality television series Made in Chelsea, seeking to capture modern echoes of Austen’s characters for his adaptation of the author’s unfinished novel, The Watsons.

Davies has highlighted parallels between the lives and interactions of the show’s cast—set amid affluent neighborhoods in southwest London—and Austen’s early 19th-century social milieu. He pointed to figures such as Lucy Watson, who faces criticism after attending a formal dinner with one man while rejecting another suitor; Jamie Laing, a rejected admirer; and Spencer Matthews, a critical observer within their social circle. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Davies described the experience of watching Made in Chelsea as “stimulating” for exploring relationship dynamics relevant to The Watsons.

The Watsons, written by Austen but left incomplete at her death, follows the story of Emma Watson, a young woman raised by a wealthy aunt who returns to live with her widowed clergyman father and unknown siblings. According to Austen’s sister Cassandra, the novel was intended to depict the father’s death, leaving his daughters dependent on their brother, with Emma turning down a proposal from the affluent Lord Osborne to eventually marry another clergyman, Mr. Howard. Davies said he remains deeply engaged with bringing this narrative to life and has not announced a release date.

In addition to The Watsons, Davies is developing new adaptations of other Austen works, including Mansfield Park, which he plans to situate partly in Antigua. This version will explicitly address the story’s references to Sir Thomas Bertram’s second family and the family’s involvement with a slavery plantation—a detail Davies said is essential to an authentic retelling, despite anticipating some opposition to the invention of new scenes.

Davies also revealed plans for a dramatic spin-off focusing on Jane Fairfax from Emma, in which the character Emma succumbs to childbirth complications, prompting Mr. Knightley to return to Yorkshire to bring back Jane Fairfax. This narrative choice sparked audible surprise from attendees when Davies shared it at the Cliveden Literary Festival.

Describing Jane Austen’s work as “inexhaustible,” Davies shows no signs of slowing his adaptations, continuing to explore ways to reinterpret the classic novels for contemporary audiences by blending new creative perspectives with Austen’s enduring storytelling.