Actors cast for BBC and Britbox's Jane Austin's The Other Bennet Sister

The BBC and BritBox are expanding their Jane Austen universe with the upcoming series The Other Bennet Sister, an adaptation of Janice Hadlow's 2020 novel of the same name. The ten-part series The Other Bennet Sister tells the story of Mary Bennet, the often-ignored middle sister from Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Production is currently underway in Wales. Unlike previous Austen adaptations, the focus here is not on Elizabeth or Jane Bennet, but on the bright but socially awkward Mary, played by Ella Bruccoleri (Bridgerton).


Ruth Jones

The story follows her personal development after she comes under the care of her worldly aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, who take her in as governess to their three children. Through them, Mary gains access to new social circles, including Mr. Hayward (Dónal Finn) and Mr. Ryder (Laurie Davidson), and Ann Baxter (Varada Sethu).

The series features an impressive cast. Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey) and Richard E. Grant (Dispatches from Elsewhere) play Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) and Richard Coyle (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) play Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. Other familiar names include Aaron Gill as John Sparrow, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Bennet, Maddie Close as Jane Bennet, Molly Wright as Kitty Bennet, Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Bennet, Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley, Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Lucas and Ryan Sampson as Mr. Collins.


Richard E. Grant

The series is being developed by Bad Wolf, the producer behind Doctor Who (2024) and Industry, and is being funded by the Welsh government through Creative Wales. The screenplay is written by Sarah Quintrell and based on Hadlow’s novel. The series has been approved by Lindsay Salt, Director of Drama at the BBC.

The Other Bennet Sister will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and on BritBox in the US and Canada. It promises to be a fresh, feminist retelling of a beloved classic, seen through the eyes of one of Austen’s most under-exposed characters.