Who Were the Wickhams, Really? A Refresher on Austen’s Most Notorious Couple

When Jane Austen introduced George Wickham in Pride and Prejudice, he seemed like the perfect gentleman—charming, dashing, and oh-so attentive.

But as any Austen fan (or anyone who’s ever dated a “bad boy”) knows, first impressions can be deceiving.

By the end of the novel, Wickham had run off with the naïve Lydia Bennet, forcing the respectable Darcy to intervene.

The result? A hastily arranged marriage, a sigh of relief from the Bennet family, and the birth of one of literature’s most infamous couples.

The Charming Rogue and the Impulsive Bride

George Wickham’s reputation precedes him. He’s the kind of man who tells just enough truth to make his lies believable and just enough lies to make you wish you’d listened to Darcy sooner.

His debts, flirtations, and scandals follow him everywhere. Lydia, in contrast, is the youngest Bennet sister, spirited, flirtatious, and just a bit reckless.

Together, they make a couple that is equal parts scandalous and entertaining.

Life After the Wedding Bells

By the time we arrive at The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, it’s been a few years since Lydia and George tied the knot.

Austen left their future mostly to our imagination, but playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon have filled in the blanks.

The Wickhams are still navigating married life, still stirring up drama, and still showing us that happily ever after isn’t always as neat as the last page of a novel suggests.

Why They Still Fascinate Us

So why do the Wickhams continue to capture our imagination? Because they’re messy.

Unlike the elegant Darcy and Elizabeth, the Wickhams remind us that love doesn’t always come with poise and perfection.

They argue, they scheme, they charm, they disappoint, and in the process, they feel strikingly real.

See Them Live at Theatre Huntsville

If you’ve ever wondered what became of Lydia and George after Pride and Prejudice, you don’t have to imagine anymore. The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley brings their story (and their drama) back to life on stage, mixing Austen’s beloved world with new humor, warmth, and heart.

The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley runs November 14–23, 2025 at the Von Braun Center Playhouse.

Don’t miss this festive return to Pemberley, complete with wit, warmth, and a holiday spirit only Austen’s world can provide.