If you love escaping into period dramas, you’ll want to keep an eye out for The Other Bennet Sister. In this upcoming adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s bestselling novel, a Call the Midwife star takes on the role of one of literature’s most overlooked characters. The series offers a fresh perspective on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, focusing on the unassuming Mary Bennet - the quiet, bookish middle sister often left in the background.
Ella Bruccoleri, best known for playing Sister Frances in Call The Midwife, takes on the lead role of Mary Bennet. Reflecting on her casting, she said, “As someone who has always related more to Mary than Lizzy - something that was confirmed even more after 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.”
Who's joining The Other Bennet Sister cast?
The BBC have revealed an all-star line-up for the cast of The Bennet Sister, including Gavin & Stacey and The Thursday Murder Club actors.
Here's the full line-up:
• Ella Bruccoleri (Downton Abbey, Call The Midwife, Joy) as Mary Bennet
• Richard E. Grant (I, The Thursday Murder Club) as Mr. Bennet
• Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Stella) as Mrs. Bennet
• Indira Varma (Paranoid, The Night Manager) as Mrs. Gardiner
• Richard Coyle (Heads of State, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Mr. Gardiner
• Laurie Davidson (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, The Girlfriend) as Mr. Ryder
• Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time, SAS Rogue Heroes) as Mr. Hayward
• Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education, Emma) as Caroline Bingley
• Anna Fenton-Garvey (The Nevers) as Charlotte Lucas
• Ryan Sampson (Mr Bigstuff, Brassic) as Mr Collins
• Roisin Bhalla (Oedipus, Peter Pan) as Marianne Gardiner
• Reggie Absolom (Silo, Casualty) as George Gardiner
• Jasmine Sharp as Rebecca Gardiner
What's The Other Bennet Sister about?
The 10-part series follows Mary Bennet as she steps out from her sisters’ shadows and begins a journey of self-discovery, determined to find her own identity and purpose. Along the way, she unexpectedly finds herself at the heart of a sweeping love story.
Her path takes her from the familiar comforts of her family home in Meryton to the glittering soirées of Regency London and the wild beauty of the Lake District - all in pursuit of independence, self-worth and a chance to redefine her place in the world.
Ella praised the series’ writer, Sarah Quintrell, noting, “Her 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.” This adaptation seeks to bring new life and humanity to a character often overshadowed in previous Austen adaptations.
Where can I watch The Other Bennet Sister series?
The Other Bennet Sister doesn't have a release date yet, but it's coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer. We'll keep this page updated!
Is The Other Bennet Sister based on a book?
Yes, the new historical romance series will be based on Janice Hadlow's novel The Other Bennet Sister, which has been dubbed "the perfect Regency novel for fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austen".
AmazonArabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her three dogs.