The Other Bennet Sister: First Look, Cast, Release Date & Why Mary Bennet Is Finally Stepping Into the Spotlight

Scandal in Meryton. 

Mary Bennet — the quiet, bookish, often-overlooked middle sister from Pride and Prejudice — is finally having her moment.

The BBC has officially released the first look at The Other Bennet Sister, a brand-new period drama that reimagines Jane Austen’s world through the eyes of the Bennet sister history forgot. Timed perfectly ahead of Jane Austen’s 250th birth anniversary (16 December 2025), the series promises romance, rebellion, and a radical shift in perspective — without betraying the spirit of Austen’s beloved classic.

And yes, this time, Mary Bennet is the main character.

What Is The Other Bennet Sister?

The Other Bennet Sister is a BBC drama series based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel of the same name, which reframes Pride and Prejudice by placing Mary Bennet at the centre of the story.

Instead of following Elizabeth Bennet’s wit or Jane’s beauty, the series explores what it means to be:

• The odd one out

• The unnoticed sister

• The woman who doesn’t quite fit Regency expectations

It’s Pride and Prejudice — but from the margins.

The Other Bennet Sister First Look: What the BBC Revealed

The newly released first-look images tease a drama rich in:

• Regency elegance

• Emotional intimacy

• Social tension

• Quiet rebellion

Mary Bennet, often dismissed as plain and pedantic, is shown stepping beyond Longbourn, questioning her role in society, and carving out an identity far removed from marriage markets and ballroom politics.

In short, this is not a background character anymore.

Release Date & Where to Watch The Other Bennet Sister

UK Release

• Platform: BBC One & BBC iPlayer

• Release Year: 2026

US & Canada

• Platform: BritBox

• Release Year: 2026

International

• Distributor: Sony Pictures Television

• Global rollout: Expected across major markets following UK premiere

The series is a BBC–BritBox co-production, making it highly accessible to international audiences, especially in the US and Canada, where Austen adaptations perform extremely well.

Cast: Who Stars in The Other Bennet Sister?

The casting alone makes this one of BBC Drama’s most exciting upcoming titles.

Main Cast

• Ella Bruccoleri (Bridgerton, Call the Midwife) as Mary Bennet

• Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet

• Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet

Supporting Cast

• Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner

• Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner

• Laurie Davidson as Mr Ryder

• Dónal Finn as Mr Hayward

This ensemble blends Austen gravitas with modern emotional range — a deliberate move to make the story resonate with contemporary audiences.

Plot: What Is The Other Bennet Sister About?

The series begins at Longbourn, home to the Bennet family and their five unmarried daughters:

• Jane

• Elizabeth

• Mary

• Kitty

• Lydia

As social pressure intensifies in Regency England, marriage becomes both survival and status.

But while Jane and Elizabeth dominate society’s gaze, Mary Bennet chooses a different path.

Mary’s Journey

Leaving Longbourn behind, Mary travels to London, moving in with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, on Gracechurch Street. There, removed from the constant comparison to her sisters, Mary begins:

• A journey of self-discovery

• An exploration of independence

• A confrontation with her own desires and intellect

Familiar Austen landmarks return — including the Meryton Assembly Ball and Netherfield Ball — but this time, the story unfolds from a new emotional vantage point.

Why Mary Bennet, and Why Now?

For over 200 years, Mary Bennet has been treated as a footnote — the moralising sister, the awkward one, the forgettable one.

The Other Bennet Sister asks a powerful question:

What happens when the “unremarkable” woman is finally allowed to speak?

Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell describes the series as a coming-of-age story about being the outsider — a theme that feels strikingly modern despite the Regency setting.

This isn’t a rejection of Pride and Prejudice. It’s an expansion of it.

Creative Team Behind the Series

• Writer: Sarah Quintrell (9 episodes), Maddie Dai (1 episode)

• Directors: Jennifer Sheridan (Extraordinary), Asim Abbasi (Cake)

• Production Company: Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry)

• Executive Producers: Jane Tranter, Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder, Janice Hadlow

Filmed in Wales, the series combines classic BBC craftsmanship with Bad Wolf’s reputation for emotionally intelligent drama.

Episode Format & Structure

• Episodes: 10

• Runtime: 30 minutes each

The shorter format allows for:

• Tight character focus

• Emotional nuance

• Binge-friendly pacing on BBC iPlayer and BritBox

Why The Other Bennet Sister Is Already Generating Buzz

Several factors are driving early interest:

• Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary

• Renewed global appetite for period dramas

• The success of reinterpretations like Bridgerton

• A fresh feminist lens on a literary classic

• A beloved “background character” finally taking centre stage

For long-time Austen fans, this is a bold experiment.

For new viewers, it’s an accessible entry point into a timeless world.

Final Verdict: Will The Other Bennet Sister Be Worth Watching?

Absolutely — and not just for Austen fans.

The Other Bennet Sister feels timely, thoughtful, and quietly radical. By shifting the spotlight to Mary Bennet, the series challenges long-held assumptions about whose stories deserve to be told.

It’s about:

• Identity over expectation

• Self-worth over social rank

• Finding your voice when no one is listening

If Pride and Prejudice was about love and first impressions, The Other Bennet Sister is about becoming visible at last.