Bold headline: Mary Bennet takes center stage at last, redefining a beloved classic. But here’s where it gets controversial: a renowned side character steps into the spotlight, inviting fresh eyes—and lively debate—on a familiar world.
Ahead of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday on December 16, 2025, the BBC released first-look images for The Other Bennet Sister. Based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, the drama shifts the focus to Mary Bennet, the oft-overlooked middle sister from Pride and Prejudice, bringing her story to the foreground.
Produced by Bad Wolf (known for His Dark Materials and Industry), the series will stream on BBC iPlayer and air on BBC One in 2026, with a co-production arrangement that includes BritBox for a simultaneous 2026 premiere.
Ella Bruccoleri (Call the Midwife, Bridgerton) leads as Mary Bennet. The cast also features Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I, Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Stella) as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Indira Varma (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Night Manager) and Richard Coyle (Heads of State, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) play Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Laurie Davidson (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, The Girlfriend) and Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time, SAS Rogue Heroes) are cast as potential suitors Mr. Ryder and Mr. Hayward.
Sarah Quintrell (The Power, Ellen) wrote nine of the ten half-hour episodes, with Maddie Dai (We Were Dangerous) penning one. Filmed in Wales, the series is directed by Jennifer Sheridan (Extraordinary) and Asim Abbasi (Cake).
The narrative opens at Longbourn, the Bennet family home, where Mr. and Mrs. Bennet oversee five unmarried daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. As Regency society’s pressures mount, the Bennet daughters navigate a glittering yet precarious world where marriage is both ambition and necessity.
Mary’s arc diverges from her sisters’ trajectories. She travels from Longbourn to London to live with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner on Gracechurch Street, beginning a journey of self-discovery that moves her out from under the family shadow and into her own story.
Iconic Pride and Prejudice settings will appear, including the Meryton Assembly Ball and the Netherfield Ball, where fortunes are decided under glittering chandeliers.
Janice Hadlow comments: “It’s thrilling to think Mary Bennet will finally take center stage on screen, in the story Jane Austen never gave her, portrayed with sensitivity by the wonderful Ella Bruccoleri, alongside a cast that will bring the drama to life with depth and poignancy.”
Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell adds: “Telling Austen’s world through Mary’s eyes for the first time has been a joy, and our remarkable cast has given these characters new vitality. While the setting remains familiar, we’re approaching it from a fresh angle. Mary’s coming-of-age journey—being the odd one out and finding a place in the world—speaks to universal experiences across generations and classes. Growing up in Croydon, my background differs from Austen’s, yet the themes resonate universally. We’re excited to share the Bennet family with both longtime fans and new audiences. The Other Bennet Sister stays true to Pride and Prejudice’s spirit, yet we hope it surprises and delights everyone.”
The Other Bennet Sister comprises 10 episodes of 30 minutes each and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, BBC Drama Director, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Executive producers include Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder, and Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf; Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC; Jess O’Riordan, Robert Schildhouse, and Stephen Nye for BritBox; Sarah Quintrell; and Janice Hadlow. Bad Wolf’s Dan McCulloch (Managing Director) and Ryan Rasmussen (Chief Creative Officer) developed and oversee the project.
The show will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with BritBox distributing the series in the United States and Canada. Bad Wolf receives support from the Welsh Government via Creative Wales. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.
LH2/liam@ijpr.co.uk
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