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Vincent Kartheiser is going back in time — okay, further back in time. The Guthrie Theater in Minnesota announced that the Mad Men star will star as Mr. Darcy in its upcoming production of 19th-century novel Pride and Prejudice. Previews begin July 6, with the show running July 12 through Aug. 31, the Guthrie's 50th anniversary. Playwright Simon Reade adapted Austen's oft-adapted romance; Joe Dowling will direct.

Kartheiser, though famous as perennially under-loved and -respected adman Pete Campbell, has a long history with the Minneapolis theater, starting with his turn as A Christmas Carol's Tiny Tim at age 7. He later appeared in subsequent productions of Henry V and Henry IV.

Since the casting announcement will bring with it an inevitable onrush of questions — "How will Kartheiser compare as Mr. Darcy? Who's the best Mr. Darcy, like, ever?" — we'll start: Does Kartheiser's scowl compare to, say, Matthew Macfayden's? Is Colin Firth's reign as lord of the Darcy manor at risk? Methinks not (but me could be incorrect).

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