Tom Hollander Keeps Hearing About These Boiled Potatoes

"Hollander's Collins does everything just a tad wrong - arrives at the Bennets with an overlarge hat, rambles at the dinner table, struggles through a country dance. And yet, in Hollander's performance, you feel something for the man who has no idea how to navigate the expectations of dating and, as the actor puts it, suffers as much as anyone else because he doesn't own his own house."

"Wright's 2005 film, which starred Keira Knightley and a pre-Succession Matthew Macfadyen, has had remarkable staying power, a surprise even to Hollander. A stage veteran who has built a long career in television and film - including recent stints on The White Lotus and as Truman Capote - Hollander had fond memories of the lovely summer in the countryside he spent filming Pride and Prejudice."

Mr. Collins, the pompous clergyman in Pride and Prejudice, is typically portrayed as a comical character across adaptations. Tom Hollander's interpretation in Joe Wright's 2005 film stands out for its subtle approach, depicting Collins as someone who consistently does everything slightly wrong—from arriving with an oversized hat to struggling through social interactions. Hollander brings depth to the character, revealing the pathos beneath the comedy; Collins suffers from his social ineptitude and lack of property ownership. The 2005 adaptation, featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, has maintained surprising cultural relevance two decades later. Hollander, a seasoned stage and television performer, spent an enjoyable summer filming in the countryside and was surprised by the film's lasting impact and audiences' continued engagement with his character.

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