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Pride and Prejudice is heavily regarded as one of the most romantic books ever published. And as a certified romantic literature enthusiast, I couldn’t agree more. When I first cracked into Jane Austen’s world, I found myself swooning at the slow-burning dynamic between the stoic Mr. Darcy and the witty Elizabeth Bennet. The 2005 film, starring Matthew MacFadyen and Keira Knightley, only solidified my adoration for this story (plus, it made it so I can never watch Succession without swooning every time the morally questionable Tom Wamsgans enters the room. Thanks a lot for that, Succession casting directors).
But while the story of Pride & Prejudice has "bewitched me, body and soul" as a romantic classic, this novel can also be perceived as a heartbreaking tragedy — it all depends on which Bennet sister we’re following.
Here's everything you need to know about The Other Bennet Sister, coming to BritBox soon.
Where can I watch The Other Bennet Sister series?
The Other Bennet Sister is coming to BritBox after it premieres on BBC in 2026. Hopefully we'll be able to watch it in the US in 2026, too!
How many episodes are in The Other Bennet sister?
There will be 10 half-hour episodes total in the series. It's the perfect amount of episodes to feel like you get to know these versions of the characters without making it too long to rewatch. (Because, hello, I will be rewatching).
What is the plot of The Other Bennet Sister?
BritBox
The Other Bennet Sister sees Mary Bennet set out for London and the Lake District as she becomes the governess for Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner's children Marianne, George, and Rebecca...and she might just find a whole new side of herself (plus some new friendship and romance) along the way.
"It's a joy to see cameras rolling on our vibrant, witty and clever new take on Jane Austen's beloved world," Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says in a statement. "With a pitch perfect cast led by Ella, Ruth and Richard, The Other Bennet Sister will be an irresistible treat for viewers when it launches on the BBC next year."
Executive producer Jane Tranter adds, “We have been working behind the scenes on The Other Bennet Sister for many years now, and Janice’s brilliantly observed characters have lived and grown in our imaginations throughout that time as Sarah has been working on the scripts. So our actors had a lot to live up to — and I can honestly say that this is the ensemble cast of our dreams."
Who will play Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister?
The Other Bennet Sister cast is literally perfect! Here's who you'll see onscreen:
- 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
- Laurie Davidson as Mr. Ryder
- Dónal Finn as Mr. 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
Where is The Other Bennet Sister filming?
BritBox
The Other Bennet Sister began filming in Wales in June 2025.
Is The Other Bennet Sister a romance?
The Other Bennet Sister does have some romance, but it's about so much more than that. With Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy's sizzling fights in the pouring rain, and their unforgettable love confessions at the end of the story, it’s clear as day that we’re reading a romance when it comes to the lead characters’ story. But if we’re to analyze the book from the perspective of Mary Bennet, the tale instead morphs into a devastating one (and it’s not just because Mary never settles down with a husband like Mrs. Bennet wants for her).
A major factor in the tragedy of Mary Bennet’s character is the fact that she has all this unexplored potential, without the means to expand on her passionate pursuits. Unlike the rest of the Bennet sisters, Mary's often forgotten. The overlooked, uninteresting, “plain” sister. As a result of her isolation and neglect from the rest of the family as well as society at large, Mary does her best to overcompensate with intellectual pursuits.
The Other Bennet Sister will honor this complex character, shining light on what it means to be a female outsider in this historical period where convention matters above all else. This BritBox series will explore Mary’s life within the happenings of Austen’s novel, as well as the aftermath.
While the original text by Jane Austen tends to do exactly what the rest of the Bennett family does — overlook Mary — this new series, based on The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow, will help viewers sympathize with this classic literary character like never before.
Check out The 10 Best Period Dramas To Watch On BritBox Right Now while you wait for The Other Bennet Sister.
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