The Other Bennet Sister, a BBC period drama, has been hailed as one of the best shows of 2026, earning a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a place on the Guardian's list of the six best shows of the year so far.
The six-episode miniseries, based on Janice Hadlow's 2020 book of the same name, reinterprets Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by focusing on Mary, the overlooked middle Bennet sister. The show stars Ella Bruccoleri as Mary, with Dónal Finn and Laurie Davidson as her love interests.
Critical Acclaim and Viewer Appeal
The Guardian praised the show as "perfect," writing: "This gorgeous, funny show offered a spirited new take: the overlooked sister, Mary, telling the classic story from her perspective. Ella Bruccoleri was superbly cast as the misunderstood 'spinster' who goes on to carve her own path and fall into a love triangle of her own. A perfect period drama."
The show has also won over unexpected viewers. A self-described "61-year-old geezer" wrote on IMDb that he was hooked by the end of the first episode, describing it as "completely sublime" and praising the casting and acting.
Future Episodes
A three-episode Christmas special is confirmed for later this year. The show has covered the full events of its source material, and a second series remains uncertain. The Other Bennet Sister is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
