Rhys, who has previously appeared in Brothers and Sisters and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, has already admitted he faces the "challenge" of competing with the memory of Colin Firth's Mr Darcy.

The adaptation tells the story of Jane Austen's couple when they are six years married, living in their new home Pemberley.

The BBC is to broadcast a new series of Death Comes to Pemberley, with Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy and Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth Bennett.

Rhys said: "Exciting as it is, one of the challenges of a part such as Darcy are the comparisons that will be drawn to those who've institutionalised him in the past.

The role of George Wickham will be taken by Matthew Goode, known for his roles in Dancing on the Edge and Birdsong.

"The beauty of 'Pemberley' is that it is an entirely new and different."

"More exciting still is the chance to work with Matthew Rhys who is not only one of the most talented actors of my generation but also the most fun."

He said: "I'm thrilled to be involved in this adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley. I have long been an admirer of Jane Austen and in particular of Pride and Prejudice.

The novel has been adapted into a three one-hour programmes by Juliette Towhidi, to be directed by the award-winning Daniel Percival.

"This will be a very unexpected and audacious period drama. And we are so pleased with the cast that have been drawn to it, Matthew Rhys, Anna Maxwell Martin, Matthew Goode and the others will bring real sparkle to the screen."

Explaining the concept of the programme, a spokeswoman for the BBC added:

David Thompson, executive producer for Origin Pictures, said: "We're delighted to be filming this witty, original and beautifully imagined book from Britain's best loved writer Jane Austen.

"Elizabeth and Darcy, now six years married and with two young sons, are preparing for the lavish annual ball at their magnificent Pemberley home.

"The unannounced arrival of Elizabeth's wayward sister Lydia, however, brings an abrupt and shocking halt to proceedings when she stumbles out of her chaise screaming that her husband Wickham has been murdered.

"Darcy leads a search party out to the woodlands, and when they discover the blood-smeared corpse not of Wickham but his travelling companion, suspicion is at once aroused.

"The dramatic and unnerving events of the evening have shattered the peace both of the Darcy's and of Pemberley, and as the family becomes caught up in the ensuing murder investigation, a mysterious web of secrets and deceit will threaten all that the Darcys hold dear …"

Filming will begin on location in Yorkshire in June.