It’s a truth universally acknowledged that British male actors have an elite hold over us. Greta Gerwig even makes reference to one of the “most unforgettable moments in British TV history” in Barbie, while Depression Barbie binges the BBC’s Pride And Prejudice. And honestly, who can blame her?

The riding boots, the wet white shirt and the impressive sideburns: Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (‘Lake Ken’, if you like) is the ultimate TV heartthrob and changed pop culture forever. The 1995 BBC One adaptation was voted the most popular Jane Austen dramatisation in a poll earlier this year, and generations of women are still obsessed with the miniseries – Gerwig among them, it seems. 

While arguably no one was more obsessed with Firth-as-Darcy than author Helen Fielding, who said she had his performance in mind while writing Bridget Jones’s Diary (which is itself heavily inspired by the plot of Pride And Prejudice). 

Psychologist and TV expert Emma Kenny explains that a TV heartthrob’s allure is about so much more than their physical looks. She tells Stylist: “A heartthrob’s charisma and on-screen presence are pivotal, enabling them to command attention and convey confidence effortlessly. The combination of aesthetic appeal and charismatic presence creates a captivating aura, drawing viewers in and establishing a strong connection.”

“Characters that display vulnerability, inner conflicts and relatable struggles particularly resonate with viewers. They offer a glimpse into the human condition, fostering empathy and a sense of connection, which are crucial in solidifying the actor’s status as a memorable heartthrob.”

While Mr Darcy might be the ultimate British TV heartthrob, he’s not the only one. UK broadcasters are renowned for creating cult series where the male leads – both the character and the actor – become a next-level obsession for viewers. The Darcy effect has also been seen with other titular stars such as Aidan Turner in Poldark, Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock and Idris Elba in Luther.

As ‘Cumberbitches’ will recall, Cumberbatch was propelled from a humble actor (popping up here and there in projects like Miss Marple, Atonement or Starter For 10) to an over-booked lead Hollywood star when Sherlock debuted on BBC One in 2010. In the mid-2010s he went from Star Trek: Into Darkness and The Hobbit before soaring into the Marvel cinematic universe as the sorcerer supreme (albeit with a slightly dodgy American accent, sorry Benedict) in Doctor Strange.

New episodes of Sherlock would drop and Cumberbatch would instantly be trending on social media: memes were shared, lines were rehashed and fans fantasised about their favourite amateur detective/sociopath. His chemistry with Martin Freeman as John Watson lit people’s imaginations on fire in fan fiction, establishing Cumberbatch as the internet’s go-to boyfriend for years.

Kenny says: “The chemistry between characters adds another layer to a heartthrob’s appeal. Iconic scenes, memorable lines and pivotal moments in the storyline further enhance this appeal, leaving a lasting impression on the viewers. These moments become ingrained in popular culture, creating a sense of nostalgia and admiration that stands the test of time.”

The actor even addressed the unhealthy heights his fame had reached when fans suggested his wife and children were a PR stunt. Cumberbatch told Vanity Fair in 2016: “I think really it’s to do with the idea that the ‘internet’s boyfriend’ can’t actually belong to anyone else but the internet… That’s what obsessive, deluded, really scary behaviour is.”

This fascination with a career-changing character can continue for years – sometimes decades – after a British series is originally released. To this day, many viewers are still ‘Sher-locked’ (a fandom-originated phrase for an obsession with the BBC series), unable to move on from David Tennant’s departure from Doctor Who or gunning for Idris Elba to be named as the next James Bond.

After his breakout role on The Wire, Elba landed on our screens as DCI John Luther in the eponymous BBC crime series back in 2010 (clearly a golden year for TV). The slick, smart and sometimes dangerous inspector became a benchmark for the genre as it raked in accolades and left everyone wanting more Elba in, well… everything.

Kenny suggests this reflects how Elba’s performance “taps into the allure of the flawed hero, creating a gritty and compelling character” that makes him stand out from other modern crime dramas. 

For over a decade, there have been rumours about Elba becoming Bond, with many citing Luther as his ‘audition’ for the role. Thirteen years later, it’s clear that Bond’s producers are likely to cast a younger actor, but we can still dream, right?  

The cult status awarded to these British actors after appearances in miniseries or short-running dramas has been enjoyed by far fewer American actors who’ve starred in far bigger, longer-lasting TV series. Their breakout roles have often defined their career and changed the whole trajectory of their professional lives, securing them enviable filmographies in every big-budget franchise.

Tennant is currently at the helm of Doctor Who again, this time as the fourteenth doctor, for the three-part 60th anniversary special after being voted the best Time Lord of all time. 

“Tennant’s Doctor is charismatic, energetic and emotionally complex, embodying the timeless allure of the mysterious and otherworldly,” Kenny says. “His performance captures the psychological draw of adventure and exploration, solidifying his status as the beloved sci-fi heartthrob.”

Fans who are still not over his heartbreaking goodbye to the role in 2010 (what a year, honestly) have enjoyed his brief temporary return before Ncuti Gatwa takes over and likely becomes our next collective obsession. 

But how did British TV heartthrobs gain such a cult status in pop culture? 

Kenny continues: “These actors have remained ‘the best’ version of their characters because of their ability to bring psychological depth and authenticity to their roles, creating characters that resonate with audiences on a deep, emotional level.”

The actors are also incredibly aware of the one pivotal role that fans adored: inevitably, it becomes the one character they are always compared to and can never escape.

Firth told The Times in 2007: “Every single film [I’ve done] since [Pride And Prejudice] there’s been a scene where someone goes, ‘Well I think you’ve just killed Mr Darcy.’ But he is a figure that won’t die.”

On occasion, Firth has even leaned into his status as a swoon-worthy soft romantic lead and blessed us with performances in the likes of Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Mamma Mia.

“Firth’s portrayal of Mr Darcy encompasses a blend of aloofness, vulnerability and longing, creating a complex character that appeals to viewers’ desire for depth and authenticity,” Kenny reflects. “His performance taps into the psychological allure of the unattainable, making Darcy a timeless fascination.”

After all, if audiences know and love an actor for one particular role, who are they to deprive fans of what they want? Even if actors don’t succumb to the colossal pressures of cult fandoms, fan-fiction and parasocial relationships will live on forever.

It seems the actors shaped by cult British TV series will never lose their power over us – nor their claim on the title of a timeless pop-culture heartthrob. 

Images: Getty; BBC; Netflix