The BBC and BritBox have released the first trailer for The Other Bennet Sister, a new ten-part period drama based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel. In the UK, the series will launch on Sunday 15 March with the first five episodes available exclusively on BBC iPlayer at 6am, followed by a double bill weekly on BBC One at 8pm. Episodes six to ten will be available on BBC iPlayer on Sunday 29 March at 6am. BritBox will premiere the series exclusively in the US and Canada on 6 May.
The drama reimagines the world of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Mary Bennet, the oft-overlooked middle sister, offering a fresh perspective on Jane Austen’s iconic story. Ella Bruccoleri (Call the Midwife, Bridgerton) stars as Mary Bennet, who steps out of the shadows and into her own life, navigating the rigid expectations of Regency society at Longbourn.
Mary’s journey takes her from her family home to the soirées of Regency London and the peaks and vales of the Lake District, all in search of independence, self-love, and reinvention. The newly released trailer offers a first look at sumptuous Regency settings, from glittering assembly rooms to elegant London interiors, including iconic locations such as the Meryton Assembly Ball and the Netherfield Ball.
The cast includes Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones as Mr and Mrs Bennet, Indira Varma and Richard Coyle as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Laurie Davidson and Dónal Finn as Mary’s potential suitors, Mr Ryder and Mr Hayward. Familiar characters such as Caroline Bingley, Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins also appear, alongside new faces introduced in Mary’s expanding world.
Based on Hadlow’s bestselling novel, the series is adapted by Sarah Quintrell, with additional writing by Maddie Dai, and directed by Jennifer Sheridan and Asim Abbasi. Produced by Bad Wolf for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with Sony Pictures Television handling international distribution, the series was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.
