The BBC has commissioned a new 10-part period drama centred on Elizabeth Elliot, the eldest sister in Jane Austen's Persuasion, with filming scheduled to begin in 2027. A release date has not yet been announced.
Sarah Quintrell is adapting the story from Janice Hadlow's forthcoming novel of the same name. Bad Wolf is producing for the BBC and BritBox North America.
A New Focus on an Overlooked Character
Rather than retelling Persuasion through Anne Elliot's perspective, the series will give her older sister a story of her own. It will "build on the approach established by The Other Bennet Sister", which brought the overlooked Mary Bennet to the forefront.
Jane Tranter, CEO of Bad Wolf, said: "Elizabeth Elliot is an intriguing figure at the edges of Persuasion - someone we know just enough about to wonder what might be going on beneath the surface. We're delighted to be returning to the world of Jane Austen with the BBC and BritBox, and to bring another overlooked character to the centre of her own story."
Following The Other Bennet Sister
The commission follows The Other Bennet Sister, the 10-part BBC adaptation of Hadlow's 2020 novel inspired by Pride and Prejudice. That series explored Mary's uncertain future after her sisters' marriages and Mr Bennet's death, ending with her agreeing to marry Tom. New special episodes are expected this Christmas.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: "We're thrilled to be returning to Jane Austen's world once more with The Other Elliot Sister. The audience instantly fell in love with Mary Bennet and we're sure they will do the same with Elizabeth Elliot. It promises to be yet another captivating, heartfelt adaptation from Sarah Quintrell."
Fan Reaction
As news spread, fans of The Other Bennet Sister shared their excitement. The BBC press office account wrote on Instagram: "She can listen no longer in silence... prepare to meet The Other Elliot Sister. A new drama, telling the story of Elizabeth Elliot, the overlooked eldest daughter from Jane Austen's Persuasion, is coming to the BBC."
One person replied: "OMG THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!" Another commented: "Yesssss!!! I'm so excited!!! It will be really interesting to see her character development considering how egocentric and vain she seems in Persuasion. I feel like it's gonna be so fun!!" A third added: "AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT THIS?!?! I just want an MCU-level multiverse of peripheral Austen character spinoffs!! Let's go!"
Persuasion was Austen's final completed novel, published six months after her death, and follows Anne Elliot as her family lets their estate to an admiral and his wife to ease their debts. The Other Elliot Sister is scheduled to begin filming in 2027.
