The non-binary actor Emma Corrin has been tipped to play Elizabeth Bennet in a “progressive” adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

       Corrin, 28, who played Diana, Princess of Wales, in The Crown, is set to assume Keira Knightley’s former role for a new Netflix series adaptation.

       At the age of 20, Knightley was cast in the lead role alongside Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen for Joe Wright’s 2005 period drama, which received four Oscar nominations.

       Dolly Alderton, the author of Everything I Know About Love, has been tasked with writing the latest script from Jane Austen’s 1813 novel and is said to be an admirer of Corrin.

       A source told The Sun: “Dolly is working on a Pride and Prejudice script for Netflix and thinks Emma would be perfect to play Elizabeth.

       “She is a big fan of Emma’s work, most notably in The Crown where Emma played Princess Diana.

       “Dolly is also very progressive and forward-thinking, so thinks that having a non-binary star in the role would be a brilliant move.”

       Corrin, who is currently filming a queer feminist interpretation of 1001 Arabian Nights, came out as non-binary in 2021 and uses they/them pronouns.

       Last year, they told Vanity Fair: “It’s not a rejection of femininity or masculinity, it’s sort of an embrace of both.

       “My experience on this Earth has been a female one, up until recently, and I still love all those parts of me.

       “But I would love to play non-binary, new parts, male parts.”

       Corrin’s preferred honorific is the ungendered alternative of “Mx”.

       Netflix adaptation to have BBC rival

       Netflix has commissioned the production on the back of its adaptation of Austen’s novel Persuasion in 2022.

       The streaming giant will be looking to emulate the commercial success of the 2005 film starring Knightley, 39, which made ￡94 million at the box office from a budget of ￡21.5 million.

       Meanwhile, the BBC has also started work on its production of rival 10-part series titled The Other Bennet Sister, which focuses on Elizabeth’s sister Mary.

       In December 2023, Corrin caused a stir by wearing a knickers-only ensemble to the Venice Film Festival.

       On another red carpet that month, the actor paid homage to one of Princess Diana’s most memorable outfits, wearing a Miu Miu cream jacket to The Crown’s finale celebration.

       Alderton’s memoir Everything I Know About Love won a 2018 National Book Award and was adapted into a BBC series in 2022.