The BBC has released new images for its upcoming ten-part period drama, The Other Bennet Sister, focusing on the overlooked Mary Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Starring Ella Bruccoleri as Mary and Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner, the series is adapted from Janice Hadlow's novel and set to air in March. Fans have expressed excitement over the casting and storyline.
Next month, the BBC will launch The Other Bennet Sister, a ten-part series that spotlights Mary Bennet, the unremarkable and overlooked sibling in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Adapted from Janice Hadlow's novel of the same name, the drama explores Mary's journey as she steps out of her sisters' shadows in search of identity and purpose, becoming entangled in an epic love story. Her path takes her from the family home in Meryton to the social scenes of Regency London and the landscapes of the Lake District, pursuing independence, self-love, and reinvention.
This week, the BBC shared a second batch of images featuring Call the Midwife actress Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, alongside key characters including potential suitors. The cast also includes Ryan Sampson as Mr Collins, Dónal Finn as Mr Hayward, Laurie Davidson as Mr Ryder, and Aaron Gill as John Sparrow. Night Manager star Indira Varma portrays Mrs Gardiner, with Richard Coyle as her on-screen husband, Mr Gardiner.
The official synopsis states: "The series takes as its premise that – when it comes to the Bennet sisters – while we dream of being Lizzy, in reality most of us are more like Mary. The series follows Mary as she steps out of her sisters' shadows in search of her own identity and purpose – finding herself in the middle of an epic love story along the way."
Fans reacted enthusiastically to the images. One commented: "Very much looking forward to seeing this!" Another said: "I'm really looking forward to this. The book is brilliant! I've read it twice." Praise for the casting included: "Brilliant casting" and "CANNOT WAIT!!!!" A viewer added: "Can't wait for this. Loved the book and the cast is [fire]."
Ella Bruccoleri expressed her enthusiasm to the BBC: "As someone who has always related more to Mary than Lizzy – something that was confirmed even more by reading Janice Hadlow's brilliant novel. I feel incredibly lucky to be spending these next few months exploring her world in depth, as envisioned by these incredible women. Sarah Quintrell's scripts are packed full of beautiful idiosyncratic detail, empathy, humour and such warmth... revealing that beneath Mary's awkwardness and formality, lies a woman longing for purpose and connection."
The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in March.
