Ella Bruccoleri, star of the BBC's hit period drama The Other Bennet Sister, has expressed her apprehension about returning to the role of Mary Bennet, just as the network announces a three-part Christmas special for the series. The show, which became the highest-rated debut drama in Britain in 12 months, will air the specials this Christmas, exploring the life of Mary Bennet after her marriage to Tom Hayward.
Ella Bruccoleri Shares Her Fears
Speaking to Variety, Bruccoleri confessed her anxiety about continuing the story after the series' acclaimed first season. 'When something has felt really perfect and is being received in a lovely way, I'm a bit scared of touching it again,' she said. The actress, known for her role in Call the Midwife, portrayed Mary Bennet, the overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, who finally steps into the spotlight in this adaptation of Janice Hadlow's novel.
The Story So Far
The series follows Mary as she forges a new path away from her siblings, leaving Longbourn for London with her aunt and uncle. The first season concluded with Mary accepting a marriage proposal from Tom Hayward, played by actor unknown. Bruccoleri shared her vision for the character's future, telling Variety: 'I can see them having this beautiful, equitable, quite progressive relationship for the time, where they both make decisions equally, and prioritize each other's happiness. And I can see Mary continuing with her governessing.'
She added: 'It felt really important to me that Mary wanted to pass something on that she'd learned being a young woman, so I think she would want to pass that on in some way. I could see them being happy together and living a kind of bohemian London life.'
BBC Confirms Christmas Specials
The BBC has officially announced a three-part Christmas special, teasing: 'The final episode of the series saw Mary agreeing to wed Tom Hayward, but fans will be keen to know what challenges the future holds for the happy couple...' The specials will be produced by Bad Wolf, the production company behind the series.
Jane Tranter, Executive Producer and CEO of Bad Wolf, 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.'
Jess O'Riordan, Commissioning Executive of BritBox North America, commented: 'We know how much audiences have fallen in love with Mary Bennet, and we're thrilled that her story isn't over yet. We are so pleased Mary's story will continue for three more chapters and to welcome audiences back into the world of The Other Bennet Sister this holiday season.'
The Other Bennet Sister is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The Christmas specials are set to air later this year.
