The Other Bennet Sister
| The Other Bennet Sister | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Period drama |
| Based on | The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Directed by | Jennifer Sheridan |
| Starring | Ella Bruccoleri |
| Composer | Anne Chmelewsky |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 15 March 2026 – present |
The Other Bennet Sister is a British period drama television series produced by Bad Wolf for BBC One. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow based on characters created by Jane Austen, with Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet. The series premiered on 15 March 2026.
Premise
The first part of the series follows the events from Pride and Prejudice from Mary Bennet's point of view, before the story departs from that to follow Mary as she travels to London and the Lake District and the overlooked sister from the big Bennet family has a romantic adventure in Regency England.[1][2]
Cast and characters
- Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet
- Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet
- Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet
- Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner
- Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner
- Róisín Bhalla as Marianne Gardiner
- Reggie Absolom as George Gardiner
- Jasmine Sharp as Rebecca Gardiner
- Laurie Davidson as William Ryder
- Dónal Finn as Tom Hayward
- Varada Sethu as Ann Baxter
- Aaron Gill as John Sparrow
- Maddie Close as Jane Bennet
- Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Bennet
- Molly Wright as Kitty Bennet
- Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet
- Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley
- Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Lucas
- Ryan Sampson as Mr Collins
- Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chapter 1" | Jennifer Sheridan | Jennifer Sheridan and Sarah Quintell | 15 March 2026 | ||||
|
Plain and overlooked Mary Bennet lives at Longbourn with her sisters and her parents, whom she longs for approval from. A ball at Netherfield seems to provide a chance for her to prove herself, and gives her a taste of romance. However, her hopes are soon dashed after her mother's interference. | ||||||||
| 2 | "Chapter 2" | Jennifer Sheridan | Janice Hadlow and Sarah Quinell | 15 March 2026 | ||||
|
With her romantic interests dashed after the ball at Netherfield, Mary decides to pursue more academic and serious interests, and devotes herself to learning. But when Mr Collins arrives at Longbourn, things are soon thrown into disarray. After sabotage and a disastrous performance at Netherfield, Mary is left humiliated. And when Mr Collins' advances towards Lizzy are spurned, Mrs Bennet urges Mary to pursue him, despite having warned her off earlier. However, it is all for naught in the end, as he becomes engaged to Charlotte instead. | ||||||||
| 3 | "Chapter 3" | Jennifer Sheridan | Janice Hadlow and Sarah Quinell | 22 March 2026 | ||||
|
After the sudden death of Mr Bennet, Mary and Mrs Bennet find themselves precisely in the situation they had dreaded. Mrs Bennet is invited to stay with Jane and Mr Bingley, while Mary receives an unexpected offer to stay with the Gardiners as their new governess. Reluctant at first, Mary finds a certain freedom and joy living with the Gardiners. She also meets Tom Hayward, a kindred spirit and a new friend. She also makes friends with Ann Baxter, with whom Tom has a 'marriage understanding'. | ||||||||
| 4 | "Chapter 4" | Jennifer Sheridan | Janice Hadlow and Maddie Dai | 22 March 2026 | ||||
|
Just as Mary is finding her footing and confidence in London, she overhears a conversation which knocks her back. Mary's mother summons her to Pemberley, and, upset by Tom's attachment to Ann, she considers going. Tom Hayward invites the Gardiners and Mary to a poetry recital in a secret garden. After organising a poetry lesson for the children and being encouraged by Mrs Gardiner, Mary decides to stay. At a games evening organised by the Gardiners, Mary meets Mr Ryder and wins the game of riddles. | ||||||||
| 5 | "Chapter 5" | Jennifer Sheridan | Janice Hadlow and Sarah Quinell | 29 March 2026 | ||||
|
Ann helps Mary get ready for a ball. At the ball, she dances with Tom Hayward, and then with Mr Ryder. However, Tom seems unhappy with the interest Ryder shows in Mary, despite how well the two seem to get on. Caroline Bingley appears, flirts with Ryder, and upsets Mary at the ball. Mr Ryder invites Mary to a supper at his house. The next day, Mrs Gardiner encourages Mary not to take Caroline Bingley's meanness to heart. Mr Ryder continues to show interest in Mary at the dinner, while Caroline Bingley meddles to nix any sort of relationship between the two. Mary shows her kindness at dinner, as she shows interest in her other dinner guests, as Ryder and Hayward look on, enchanted. Caroline Bingley warns Mary off pursuing Mr Ryder romantically. Tom shows concern for Mary regarding Ryder's interest. Before Caroline Bingley can manoeuvre Mary into being forced to sing in front of everyone, she receives news from Pemberley that her mother is ill. | ||||||||
| 6 | "Chapter 6" | TBA | TBA | 29 March 2026 | ||||
| 7 | "Chapter 7" | TBA | TBA | 5 April 2026 | ||||
| 8 | "Chapter 8" | TBA | TBA | 5 April 2026 | ||||
| 9 | "Chapter 9" | TBA | TBA | 12 April 2026 | ||||
| 10 | "Chapter 10" | TBA | TBA | 12 April 2026 | ||||
Production
The ten-part series is adapted by Sarah Quintrell from the 2020 novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow, based around the character Mary Bennet from the Jane Austen novel Pride and Prejudice, with Maddie Dai also writing an episode.[3] It is lead directed by Jennifer Sheridan.[4]
It is produced by Bad Wolf for whom Dan McCulloch developed the project. Quintrell and Hadlow are executive producers with Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder and Jane Tranter as executive producers for Bad Wolf and Rebecca Ferguson as executive producer for the BBC. Sony Pictures Television has global rights.[5] In May 2025, BritBox was announced to be is co-producer with broadcasting rights in the U.S. and Canada.[6]
In May 2025, Ella Bruccoleri was announced as leading the cast in the role of Mary Bennet.[7] The following month, Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Richard Coyle and Indira Varma joined the cast, as well as Roisin Bhalla, Reggie Absolom and Jasmine Sharp, Laurie Davidson, Dónal Finn and Varada Sethu with Aaron Gill, Maddie Close, Poppy Gilbert, Molly Wright, Grace Hogg-Robinson, Tanya Reynolds, Anna Fenton-Garvey and Ryan Sampson.[8] The cast also includes Lucy Briers, who had played Mary Bennet in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Filming took place in Bristol and Wales in June 2025.[9][10]
Broadcast
The first five episodes premiered on 15 March 2026 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The remaining five episodes will premiere on 29 March 2026.[3][11]
Reception
Critical response
Critics' reviews have been generally favourable.[12] In a 5-star review for The Telegraph, Anita Singh described it as "a thing of pure delight".[13] In a 3-star review for The Guardian, while Lucy Mangan found it "too slight a thing even for the pre-watershed Sunday evening slot", she concluded that "the growing charm and heft ... make it one worth sticking with".[14]
References
- ^ Cormack, Morgan (10 October 2024). "Pride and Prejudice spin-off The Other Bennet Sister announced by BBC". Radio Times. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ Singh, Anita (27 May 2025). "BBC Jane Austen drama won't have posh accents, makers say". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ritman, Alex (11 December 2025). "'The Other Bennet Sister' First Look: Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones Play Discerning Parents in 'Pride & Prejudice' Spinoff From BBC, BritBox (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ "The Other Bennet Sister Mary causes quite a spectacle in first look clip". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
- ^ Yossman, K.J. (9 October 2024). "BBC Revisits 'Pride and Prejudice' With Mary Spinoff Titled 'The Other Bennet Sister'". Variety. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (14 May 2025). "BritBox Boards BBC's 'The Other Bennet Sister' As Exec Jane Tranter Says "Creative Solutions" Required To Overcome U.S. Co-Pro Slump". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Sarrubba, Stefania (22 May 2025). "Call the Midwife star confirmed for Jane Austen role in new "beautiful" BBC period drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (17 June 2025). "'The Other Bennet Sister': Richard E. Grant, Ruth Jones & Indira Varma Join BBC/BritBox Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ Kendall, Ellie (12 June 2025). "BBC and Channel 5 period dramas filming just streets from each other in Bristol". Bristol Post. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "The Other Bennet Sister: Filming starts, cast revealed". Televisual. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ^ "The Other Bennet Sister first trailer revealed as air dates confirmed" (Press release). BBC. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "The Other Bennet Sister". Metacritic. Fandom. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ Singh, Anita (15 March 2026). "The Other Bennet Sister, BBC One review: Proof you don't need to sex up Regency England". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ^ Mangan, Lucy (15 March 2026). "The Other Bennet Sister review – the bookish Pride and Prejudice sister gets her turn in the spotlight". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 23 March 2026.