Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes

Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches - palmsinatl.comHere’s my proclamation for this post: Having a crush on a fictional character is totally normal!

We have fictional crushes because we’re recognizing qualities and attributes we seek / or have found in a real person. From books to movies and TV shows there will always be characters that leave an impression on us or simply make our hearts beat a little faster.

I took to Facebook last week to get an idea of what fictional characters people had crushes on. A host of Trueblood characters – Jason Stackhouse, Eric Northman,  Bill Compton and Alcide made the cut. Also on the list: Jay Gatsby, Poison Ivy,  Jamie Fraser (Outlander), Jake (Scandal), Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries),  Jon Snow (GoT), and Jace (The Mortal Instruments). Best response I received:

Noah Calhoun because I want a house on the lake with a wrap around porch.

I’m clearly not ashamed to admit I have a number of fictional crushes. So here it goes:

1. Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

Please note if you have not read this classic Jane Austen novel – GO DO IT NOW – or at least go take a look at the 2005 movie adaptation that plays once a week on Oxygen. In my 10th grade honors English class we were required to read Pride and Prejudice and I quickly realized none of those little grubby boys I had a crush on would ever hold a candle to Fitzwilliam Darcy. He’s tall and brooding. In real life he would be the type of man who would keep you on your toes. He would profess his love for you not only with eloquent words, but with action. Mr. Darcy gives off that Beauty and the Beast vibe (minus the borderline violence and the Stockholm syndrome stuff) – a little rough around the edges, and only your love can bring out his goodness and warmth. In text only – Mr. Darcy wins, but throw in Colin Firth’s 1995 BBC Darcy or Matthew Macfadyen’s 2005 Darcy and be still my abnormal beating heart. Mr. Darcy will always be my #1 literary/fictional crush.

Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches -palmsinatl.com

Jane Austen started this whole “you can change a man” thing. Yes, blame her for penning a man in the 1800’s that a woman was able to effectively change for all of the right reasons. She set a lot of us up for failure, but Mr. Darcy changed for Elizabeth. Lizzie’s expectations made him a better man. Love made him change. C’mon – you can’t get any better than that! Then not to be that girl, but there’s that whole Pemberley thing. Mr. Darcy is amazing really and truly, and if I could find a guy who acted exactly like him but was perhaps didn’t make a lot of money, fine – suga mama it is. I just need him to tell me I’ve bewitched him body and soul everyday. However, Mr. Darcy had Pemberley and who wouldn’t want to be married to the most amazing man and live in a bomb ass palace. I’d practice my pianoforte everyday in bliss. Not convinced Mr. Darcy is crushworthy – check out this clip:


My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will
silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will
have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I
love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

I could seriously spend the entire blog post talking about Mr. Darcy, but I have more fictional crushes to confess.

2. Pacey Witter, Dawson’s Creek

 I’ve already explained why I love Pacey and Joey, but Pacey Witter is the bees knees. In truth, I hated that his wardrobe primarily consisted of Hawaiian t-shirts, but Pacey set the bar high in the landscape of high school boyfriends. Pacey had that I can’t-live-without-you kind of love for Joey. Um, hello, I want that. Pacey was confident, he stood up to a teacher for bullying his friend who was struggling with his sexuality, helped Andie confront her mental illness, and to top it all off  he was big on grand romantic gestures – all crushworthy qualities. His girlfriend cheated on him and broke his heart, but he didn’t let it completely ruin him. He named his boat True Love because it’s something he believed in. Circling back to this changing for love thing I mentioned earlier: Pacey begins the show as the perpetual screw-up and ultimately becomes the romantic hero. Obviously, he’s fictional crush material. Also, he was the best at forehead kisses. I have yet to actually feel the feels I get when I watch Pacey Witter apply some of the most romantic forehead kisses on girls throughout Dawson’s Creek. Damnit, Pacey!!
 Pacey Witter, Dawson's Creek -- Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

3. Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead

Daryl Dixon shot a crossbow of love into my heart and now there’s no turning back. I’m not sure if it’s the necklace of severed ears, those fantastic dirty, sweaty arms, or the Ugly Betty poncho, but Daryl Dixon is perfection. Despite the world and its lack of humanity and general lack of safety, Daryl is the kind of guy you want by your side…or ahead of you popping walkers with his crossbow. Sure at the beginning of the series he showed a few racist tendencies, but I blame Merle. Over the course of The Walking Dead, we’ve learned that Daryl loves his people and will do anything for them.  AND Daryl loves kids. Have you seen him bottle-feed Judith call her “Little Ass Kicker”? Ovaries on overdrive. Don’t forget about when they were searching for Carol’s daughter. He never lost hope and he was willing to do anything to get her back.  Daryl is a badass, but he just needs a little love (and a shower). *cues Let Me Love You*

Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead - Mr. Darcy + other fictional crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

Also in the event that the zombie apocalypse happens, it would be nice to have a hot dude that would totally keep you safe (don’t bring up Beth- that wasn’t his fault) and feed you – even if it is a raccoon.

4. Patrick Verona, 10 Things I Hate About You

To be fair – I still really really love Heath Ledger and one way or another one of his characters was likely to make this list. However, Patrick, the character is pretty amazing as well. OK, OK, he started dating Kat to make some money, but in the end he loves her for all the right reasons (and he bought her a guitar with the money). He’s got that touch of bad boy, but he will also take care of you when you’re drunk and dancing on a tables and you give yourself a slight concussion. (That’s love.) Plus that paintball gun date – yes, yes, yes. Still can’t get over the lying scheming part?  Let me remind you that he totally willing to make a fool of himself and get into trouble to earn Kat’s forgiveness. He sings “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” while dancing/running from cops on the school bleachers. Um, hello hotness.

Click more below to see who made the Honorable Mentions list!

Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables

Gilbert Blythe - Anne of Green Gables: Mr. Darcy and Other Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

Prince Maxon, The Selection Series

I heart Mr. Darcy + other fictional crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

Stefan Urquelle, Family Matters

Stefan - Mr. Darcy and OTher Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

Westly, The Princess Bride

Death cannot stop true love. It only delays it for a bit.

Westly: The Princess Bride -- Mr. Darcy and other Fictional Crushes - The Palmetto Peaches

Who are some of your fictional crushes? Let me know in the comments below!

Donni Siggy--The Palmetto Peaches

13 Replies to “Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes”

  1. Haha Love this! I think we have all had a crush on a fictional character at some point in our lives, then it turns into daydreaming that your partner was like the person you admire. Great post!

    1. The Palmetto Peaches says:

      Thanks! I definitely felt a lot better after other people started admitting their fictional crushes. Thanks for stopping by! -Donni

  2. I’m so glad I’m not the only one with fictional crushes!!! I have so many I can’t even begin to form a list.

    1. The Palmetto Peaches says:

      Oh absolutely, I think everyone has at least one fictional crush. I definitely had to limit my list – the post started to get a little long. Thanks for reading!
      -Donni

  3. Lovely post! Mr. Darcy for sure! I definitely have a thing for “bad boys” though and my fictional crushes are usually those types.
    Cole recently posted…Freelance Gigs, Art Projects and NaNoWriMo + FREE ZINE!My Profile

    1. The Palmetto Peaches says:

      I think Mr. Darcy is just one of those universal fictional crushes 🙂 Fictional bad boys are the best! Thanks for reading.
      -Donni

  4. PACEY. YES. While I do love Mr. Darcy I had more of a crush on Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility.
    Catherine Short recently posted…Weekend Links / / A SufjangivingMy Profile

    1. The Palmetto Peaches says:

      Yes! Someone understands my Pacey obsession. 🙂 Colonel Brandon is a great fictional crush! Thanks for reading.
      -Donni

  5. Pacey!!!! haha, I had the biggest crush on Pacey when I was younger. What a great idea for a post. Love it!
    Kelly recently posted…Planning A Dream Road Trip: Spotlight on Watkins GlenMy Profile

    1. The Palmetto Peaches says:

      Pacey was the best. All I wanted was someone to buy me a wall. Thanks for reading!
      -Donni

  6. My fictional crush right now is The Flash! 😉

  7. Hahaha! I totally have crushes on fictional characters! Don Draper from Mad Men, Elliott from Mr. Robot, and Rob Stark, to name just a few 🙂

  8. […] got a lot of thoughts and feelings about fictional characters. I’ve shared a few of my fictional crushes, but I need to process some heavier […]

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