Lost in Austen: Meet the cast

Writer Guy Andrews had the former Midsomer Murders star in mind when he wrote the starring role of Amanda Price. Jemima reveals that "she is a modern girl with a romantic streak, who seeks solace in reading Pride and Prejudice". After becoming disenchanted with London life and boyfriend Michael, she is plunged into the period world at Longbourn through a portal. Her presence soon turns everyone's world on its head with the older people wary and the younger residents fascinated by her.

Following in the footsteps of Colin Firth's seminal performance in the much heralded TV series is something that would overpower most actors. However, the former Poirot and Foyle's War actor believes he has breathed new life into the character with his own "vulnerable" take. The talk of the town must deal with conflicting emotions towards Amanda as she plunges headlong into his world.

When you have a wife and five daughters to look after, you may as well take another woman under your wing! Such is the case with Mr Bennet, who finds Amanda's modern ways endearing to the chagrin of his nervous spouse. Having known Alex for 25 years and worked with Jemima, Hugh had a great time on the set after being bowled over by the quality of Guy's initial script.

True to the values of that period, Alex's Mrs Bennet wants her five daughters married off to wealthy men so they will be taken care of when her husband passes on. She sees Amanda's arrival as a threat, a plot turn which gave Alex something to sink her teeth into. Having found the novel "utterly romantic", the former ER actress couldn't be more thrilled to have been part of the classy production.

The new Bond girl is most definitely her father's favourite out of the five daughters in this lavish TV production and her modern take on life could well see her thrive as the series progresses. Gemma, who stars in Disney's Prince of Persia next year, feels her character is also very curious. Despite joining the set later than the other actors, she soon hit her stride as Lizzie finds herself thrust into a world completely alien to her.

Despite being very different in terms of their character traits, Jane soon takes Amanda under her wing when she's catapulted into Longbourn and Jane's budding romance with Mr Bingley. Her gentle and charming nature came easily to Morven who has racked up impressive turns in ITV shows Sold and Harley Street.

The pompous clergyman is Mr Bennet's cousin and the male heir to Longbourn in the event of his death. The sycophant's world is turned upside down by the arrival of Amanda, so much so that it affects his close relationship to his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Guy relished the chance to play "one of the great creeps of literature", especially with Guy's "brilliant" scripts to work from.

Mr Darcy's closest friend is a very gregarious and wealthy young man, who falls for Amanda hook, line and sinker. She blinds him so much that he has trouble seeing the magnificent torch that dear Jane holds for him. For stage actor Tom, who also starred in the film Venus, it's a terrific role to boost his TV career.

Caroline is a cunning gold digger, who seems to shrug off the fact that Mr Darcy finds it difficult to warm to her when she sets her sights on him. One of Charles' two sisters, she goes to great lengths to try and destroy Amanda's reputation however she doesn't factor in Amanda's knowledge of her own secret. The Miss Marple actress is a key character in the story and a wonderful role for Christine.