would you listen to a "spicy" Pride & Prejudice audiobook?

Exclusive Q&A with the voice actor who plays Mr Darcy

We’ve read about the smouldering glances and the sharp-tongued banter, but what if Pride and Prejudice had a little more… pleasure between the pages?

Bloom Stories is turning up the heat with a new erotic audio adaptation that weaves spicy scenes into the original novel—exploring the hidden desires of Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and more.

Just in time for Jane Austen’s 250th birthday year, this retelling asks: What if the passion simmering beneath all that Regency-era restraint finally spilled over? Would you listen to some spicy encounters between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, as well as a few steamy solo scenes?

I’m pretty sure I know the answer to that: Verily. Indeed. Most assuredly.

Bloom Stories is a leading erotic audio platform with over 700,000 users, featuring short audio stories and audiobooks in English, German, and Spanish. Focused on realistic, character-driven storytelling, Bloom Stories is redefining erotica by offering a personalized and immersive experience for listeners all around the globe.

For today’s newsletter, I had the chance to chat with Jaimee Bell, Editorial Director at Bloom Stories, about why Pride and Prejudice was the perfect novel for an erotic retelling and what these characters so enduringly sexy. Plus, Noah, the voice behind Mr. Darcy, shares how he approached the iconic character in this steamy new context— and whether he thinks Darcy is a true romantic at heart.

Why choose to do an erotic retelling of Pride and Prejudice?

Bell: We chose Pride & Prejudice because it’s a beautiful classic that so many people know and love; but a central part of the story is the tension between personal desire and societal duty. We wanted to explore that pull and bring to life some of the sexual desire that was rarely expressed in literature at the time. Not to mention that people have been fantasizing about Mr Darcy for decades. Who are we to deny the people what they want?!

What do you think is the sexiest part of this story and these characters?

Bell: The sexiest scenes to write were definitely the respective masturbation scenes for both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Obviously, the sex scene between the two of them is really passionate and beautiful, but getting an insight into the desires of both characters during their quiet moments alone was so much fun, and really brings a lot of depth to the tension between them as the story develops.

What type of tone and style were you looking for?

We did a lot of research to make sure the language, tone, and added scenes would feel like they belonged in Austen’s world. Our goal was to create something that feels seamless, as if these scenes could have always been there, adding new layers to the original while keeping it absolutely authentic.

What do you think makes erotic audio content appealing to listeners?

Erotic audio enables people to visualize themselves in narratives in a way that traditional porn doesn’t, which makes it immersive and empowering. There’s something about audio that feels more personal than other forms of erotic content, and it’s also easier to listen privately and whilst on the go (which can be incredibly fun, I’d recommend). At Bloom in particular, our stories are created with ethics at their heart, centring on consensual, adult interactions which set a realistic standard for pleasure. We also cater to a wide range of audiences and sexualities and offer educational guides for couples and individuals to promote safe and healthy sexual relationships.

What are your thoughts on the increasing popularity of erotic audio content?

It’s great to know that more people are feeling empowered to explore their sexuality and desires using audio erotica. Figuring out what turns you on (and what doesn’t) can be great for your intimate relationships; as well as your own pleasure.

Do you have any concerns about potential misinterpretations or negative reactions to this particular take on a beloved classic like Pride and Prejudice?

We intentionally haven’t changed any of the chapters Austen wrote as we wanted to stay true to the original. We’ve added our own, spicy chapters in our classic Bloom Stories style, so people who don’t like what we’ve added can skip them! Feedback from our users so far has been great: people have loved the reimagining of the classic, as well our Pride & Prejudice-inspired spin-off episodes.

What future projects are you working on or hoping to work on?

Working on this project and launching ourselves into the romance audiobook space was such a team effort. We’ll be building on the success of this launch this year. I can’t give away too much, but let’s just say we’re working with authors to revolutionise how audiobooks are consumed to further our goal of becoming "naughty Audible” and bringing immersive spicy audio experiences to listeners everywhere.

Finally! Liz and Darcy are doing it!

Noah, the voice actor who plays Mr Darcy in Bloom Stories’ adaptation of Pride & Prejudice

Darcy is such a beloved character in literature. What was your initial reaction when you were offered this role?

Mr Darcy lives large in the popular imagination and it’s such a well known story, so I knew that we’d have fun with it. It also helps that I’ve got a longstanding relationship with Bloom and there’s trust there, which is always a great starting point for a creative partnership.

How familiar were you with the original Pride and Prejudice before taking on this project?

In all honesty, costume drama isn’t usually my thing. But I knew Pride & Prejudice by reputation: so many tropes have filtered through into popular culture. So it felt very familiar.

How did you approach portraying Mr. Darcy in this context, balancing the character's inherent traits with the erotic nature of the story?