The BBC has confirmed that one of its most successful period dramas of 2026, The Other Bennet Sister, will return for a three-part Christmas special. The show, which has been hailed as the "best show ever" by fans, will shoot in Wales throughout the summer before airing on BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
Record-Breaking Debut
Written by Sarah Quintrell and based on storylines by author Janice Hadlow, the series draws from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Asim Abbasi, who directed five episodes of the opening series, returns to direct the new instalments. In March, The Other Bennet Sister attracted 7.3 million viewers in its first 28 days, making it the most successful launch for a new drama across all platforms and streaming services in the UK since May 2025, according to BBC data.
What to Expect in the Christmas Specials
Executive producer Jane Tranter said: "We always hoped audiences would fall in love with Mary Bennet's story, but the response to The Other Bennet Sister has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts, and to explore what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins."
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: "It's been incredibly exciting to see Mary Bennet cause such a sensation in 2026, and we could not be happier to announce this new three-part Christmas gift to her millions of fans. Marriage was just the beginning for the no-longer-so-overlooked Bennet sister, and it's a joy to be working with Sarah, Janice and the Bad Wolf team to let viewers discover what comes next."
Cast and Fan Reactions
Ella Bruccoleri is confirmed to reprise her role as Mary Bennet, with several familiar faces set to join her. While names have not been revealed, the original series featured cast members including Richard E. Grant, Ruth Jones, Indira Varma, and Varada Sethu. Fans have expressed excitement online, with one writing: "EVERYBODY SHUT UP MY SHOW IS ALMOST ONNNN. Thank you to this amazing team for listening to their audience." Another posted: "OMG THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER!"
The first two episodes of the original 10-part series portrayed events from Pride and Prejudice from Mary Bennet's perspective, before charting her journey of self-discovery through London and the Lake District. The Christmas specials will continue her story. The Other Bennet Sister is available on iPlayer now.
