The Other Bennet Sister
2026 British television series
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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, a continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and follows Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet. The series premiered on 15 March 2026. In June 2026, a three-part Christmas special was announced.
- Sarah Quintrell
- Maddie Dai
- Jennifer Sheridan
- Asim Abbasi
| The Other Bennet Sister | |
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Release poster | |
| Genre | Period drama |
| Based on | The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| 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 |
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| Producer | John Pocock |
| Cinematography |
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| Editors |
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| Running time | 30 mins. |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 15 March 2026 – present |
Premise
The first two episodes of the series detail the events of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of Mary Bennet, the overlooked sister from the large Bennet family. The rest of the story follows Mary as she travels to London and the Lake District on a journey of self-discovery and romance.[1][2]
Cast and characters
Main
- Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet
- Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet
- Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet
- Maddie Close as Jane Bingley (née Bennet)
- Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth Darcy (née Bennet)
- Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Wickham (née Bennet)
- Molly Wright as Kitty Buncock (née Bennet)
- Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner
- Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner
- Dónal Finn as Thomas Hayward
- Laurie Davidson as William Ryder
- Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill
- Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley
- Varada Sethu as Ann Baxter
Recurring
- Victor Pilard as Fitzwilliam Darcy
- Aled Owens as Charles Bingley
- Aaron Gill as John Sparrow
- Ryan Sampson as Mr Collins
- Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Collins (née Lucas)
- Lucinda Dryzek as Louisa Hurst (née Bingley)
- Róisín Bhalla as Marianne Gardiner
- Reggie Absolom as George Gardiner
- Jasmine Sharp as Rebecca Gardiner
- Fergus Craig as Mr Hurst
- Seán Carlsen as Sir William Lucas
- Jethro Weyman as Gardiner Servant
Production
Development
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 as co-producer, with broadcasting rights in the U.S. and Canada.[6]
On 24 June 2026, the BBC announced that a three-part Christmas special had been commissioned.[7]
Casting
In May 2025, Ella Bruccoleri was announced as leading the cast in the role of Mary Bennet.[8] 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.[9] The cast also includes Lucy Briers, who had played Mary Bennet in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.[10]
Filming
Principal photography took place in Bristol and Wales in June 2025.[11][12] Newport, particularly its Market Arcade, was used to film several London scenes. The outdoors Lake District scenes were instead filmed in Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains. Other filming locations included Dyffryn House and Gardens and St Fagans Folk Museum in Wales[13] and Berkeley Square, Brandon Hill, Orchard Street and Frog Lane in Bristol.[14] The Pemberley scenes were filmed at Badminton House.[15]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Viewers (millions) [16] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chapter 1" | Jennifer Sheridan | Sarah Quintrell | 15 March 2026 | 4.71 | |||||
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Plain and overlooked Mary Bennet lives at Longbourn with her sisters and her parents, from whom she longs for approval. Upon getting glasses, her mother and sisters show their disgust at how they think they're vile and that Mary will never marry. The Meryton assembly ball 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. After dancing twice with her optician, her mother forces her to not "stand up" with him again. Mary is sad and decides to push herself into reading and knowledge. | ||||||||||
| 2 | "Chapter 2" | Jennifer Sheridan | Sarah Quintrell | 15 March 2026 | 4.34 | |||||
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With her romantic interests dashed after the Meryton ball, Mary decides to pursue more academic and serious interests and devotes herself to learning. But when her fathers cousin, Mr Collins arrives at Longbourn, things are soon thrown into disarray. After sabotage and a disastrous performance at Netherfield, Mary is left humiliated after singing and playing the piano. 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 Lucas instead. At the Netherfield ball, Charlotte enquired Mary as to why her mother is insisting a man of meagre income marries one of the daughters. Mary then reveals that Mr Collins is next in line to get their family home and the income that comes with it. Immediately after learning this and while Mary is busy on the piano, Charlotte is seen introducing herself and becoming friendly towards Mr Collins to pursue him and his coming wealth. | ||||||||||
| 3 | "Chapter 3" | Jennifer Sheridan | Sarah Quintrell | 22 March 2026 | 5.03 | |||||
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After the sudden death of Mr Bennet, Mary and Mrs Bennet find themselves precisely in the situation they had dreaded. Mr Collins arrives with Charlotte. He informs then that they should only need a couple weeks to pack and move on. 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 to teach the Gardiners children. Reluctant at first, Mary finds a certain freedom and joy living with the Gardiners. She meets Tom Hayward, a kindred spirit and a new friend, and also makes friends with Ann Baxter, with whom Tom has an 'understanding'. | ||||||||||
| 4 | "Chapter 4" | Jennifer Sheridan | Maddie Dai | 22 March 2026 | 4.87 | |||||
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Just as Mary is finding her footing and confidence in London, she overhears a conversation among the Gardiners which knocks her back. Tom Hayward brings the Gardiners and Mary to a hidden garden in full bloom, where he recites some lines of poetry. Unexpectedly moved by his words but concerned about his attachment to Ann Baxter, she considers accepting her mother's summons to join her at Pemberley. But after giving the children a poetry lesson and being encouraged by Mrs Gardiner, Mary decides to stay. At a games evening organised by the Gardiners, Mary meets William Ryder and wins the game of riddles. | ||||||||||
| 5 | "Chapter 5" | Jennifer Sheridan | Sarah Quintrell | 29 March 2026 | 5.31 | |||||
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Ann helps Mary get ready for a ball, where she dances with both Tom Hayward and William Ryder. Tom seems unhappy with the interest William shows in Mary. Caroline Bingley appears at the ball, flirts with William, and is rude to Mary. William invites Mary to a supper party at his house. The next day, Mrs Gardiner encourages Mary not to take Caroline's meanness to heart. At the dinner, William continues to show interest in Mary, while Caroline tries to thwart any sort of relationship between the two. At dinner Mary successfully engages Mr. Hurst – Caroline's brother-in-law – in a lively conversation. Caroline warns Mary against pursuing William romantically. Tom expresses concern about William's interest to Mary. Before Caroline can manœuvre Mary into being forced to sing in front of everyone, she receives news from Pemberley that her mother is ill. | ||||||||||
| 6 | "Chapter 6" | Asim Abbasi | Sarah Quintrell | 29 March 2026 | 4.47 | |||||
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Mary returns to Pemberley to support her mother but instead finds herself thrown back into the demands of family life. Mary feels she is right back where she started until William turns up. His infatuation with Mary helps her family recognise how much she has changed, to her mother's astonishment and her sisters' fascination. William presents Mary with an unconventional opportunity. | ||||||||||
| 7 | "Chapter 7" | Asim Abbasi | Sarah Quintrell | 5 April 2026 | 5.14 | |||||
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William's offer leaves Mary in a difficult position. She tries to work out whether it is what she truly wants or whether she must disappoint her mother. Both Lizzy and Mr Collins - who shows unexpected understanding of how he is perceived by others - help her understand that her happiness is in her own hands. Before she can explain her reasons for declining William's offer, the Gardiners unexpectedly arrive at Pemberley and invite Mary to join them in the Lake District. | ||||||||||
| 8 | "Chapter 8" | Asim Abbasi | Sarah Quintrell | 5 April 2026 | 5.02 | |||||
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En route to the Lake District, Mary crosses paths with Ann Baxter, who informs her that she and Tom have broken off their 'understanding' and she is marrying someone else. When they arrive at the Lakes, Tom joins Mary and the Gardiners at their inn. The group enjoy fishing by Scafell Pike and agree they will climb the mountain during their trip. Mary and Tom continue to reconnect over their shared love of nature and poetry. The following week, Tom seems to be about to propose to Mary when William suddenly appears. He has come seeking legal advice from Tom, which he says is not urgent. When they return to the inn, Mary is surprised to find that Caroline Bingley and the Hursts have just arrived to stay. Over dinner, William invites himself and the others to join the mountain climb. | ||||||||||
| 9 | "Chapter 9" | Asim Abbasi | Sarah Quintrell | 12 April 2026 | 5.63 | |||||
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The following day, the group hike up Scafell Pike with a guide. The Hursts struggle, so the Gardiners offer to accompany them down, while Mary, Tom, Caroline and William continue up the mountain. At the summit, Tom has a private moment with Mary but as he is about to confess his feelings, William insists on talking to Tom about his financial affairs. After they conclude their conversation, Tom is stand-offish and closes off from the others. The guide advises they should leave before the coming storm, but the group stay despite Tom's protestations. As the storm arrives, they regret their decision and try to make their way down the mountain but lose track of each other. Caroline Bingley slips and traps her foot under a boulder, though Mary comes back to help her down. They return back and call a doctor for Caroline's foot when Mary collapses. Mrs Gardiner tends to an unconscious Mary for days while Tom waits. When Mary begins to recover, Tom leaves without saying goodbye. | ||||||||||
| 10 | "Chapter 10" | Asim Abbasi | Sarah Quintrell | 12 April 2026 | 5.62 | |||||
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Mary returns to London. Her mother arrives insisting on finding her a husband but struggles to find a suitable match. One day, William arrives to talk to Mary. He reveals that, during their conversation on Scafell Pike, he told Tom he had been named Lady Catherine de Bourgh's heir and intended to propose to Mary. But Mary declines, as she does not love him. Her mother admonishes her, but a courageous Mary stands up to her and chooses to find happiness on her own terms. Mary enjoys her life in London with the Gardiners and begins working as a governess. One day, Tom returns unannounced after receiving a letter from Miss Bingley, and states his feelings for Mary and they both admit that they love each other. Tom proposes and the two get married. | ||||||||||
Broadcast
Reception
The series became a ratings hit, with episode one drawing in a consolidated 28 days figure of 7.3 million viewers. It also marks the BBC's biggest drama launch since May 2025.[19][20]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of 37 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Cozy, charming, and full of heart, The Other Bennet Sister gives Mary her moment to shine, thanks to Ella Bruccoleri's delightful performance and a fresh take on Jane Austen's familiar world."[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 80 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[22]
In a five-star review for The Telegraph, Anita Singh described it as "a thing of pure delight".[23] In a three-star review for The Guardian, Lucy Mangan found it "too slight a thing even for the pre-watershed Sunday evening slot", but concluded that "the growing charm and heft ... make it one worth sticking with".[24]
Impact
The BBC reported that tourism to historic sites related to Jane Austen, particularly in Bath, had increased following the release of the series.[25]