The BBC and BritBox series The Other Bennet Sister has become a major hit for Jane Austen fans. The show puts Mary Bennet, the often forgotten middle sister from Pride and Prejudice, at the center of her own story. Ella Bruccoleri plays Mary, a woman who feels out of place in her own family and slowly learns to accept herself. The series holds a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and drew 7.3 million viewers for its first episode in the UK.
If you finished the 10-part series and want more shows with strong female leads, Regency era romance, and stories about sisters finding their way, here are 10 must-watch recommendations.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
The 1995 miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is still the most loved adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel. It runs for six episodes and follows the Bennet family, especially Elizabeth Bennet, as they deal with marriage, money, and social standing. Since The Other Bennet Sister shows the events of Pride and Prejudice through Mary’s eyes in the first two episodes, watching this version gives you a new way to see the original story. The series is streaming on BritBox and Hulu.
Death Comes to Pemberley (2013)
This three-part BBC series blends Jane Austen with a murder mystery. Based on P.D. James‘ novel, it takes place six years after Pride and Prejudice ends. Elizabeth (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Darcy (Matthew Rhys) are living happily at Pemberley when a murder happens on their estate. Old tensions come back as they get caught in a whodunnit. HuffPost UK called it “a lush lesson in gothic mystery”. It is a great choice if you like seeing Austen characters in new situations.
Sanditon (2019-2023)
Based on Austen’s unfinished final novel, Sanditon follows Charlotte Heywood, a free-spirited young woman who leaves her rural home to experience life in a new seaside resort town. The show was developed by Andrew Davies, the same writer behind the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. The series holds an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has drawn strong comparisons to Bridgerton among fans. Unlike Bridgerton, Sanditon offers a more measured, character-driven approach to Regency era drama.
Miss Austen (2025)
One of the newest literary dramas on this list, Miss Austen stars Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen, Jane Austen’s sister. The series explores the real-life burning of Jane’s letters by Cassandra and looks at sisterhood, loyalty, and memory. Based on Gill Hornby‘s best-selling novel, it is a must-watch for Austen fans who want to understand the woman behind the books. Multiple viewers have called it a natural companion piece to The Other Bennet Sister.
North and South (2004)
Often called one of the best period dramas ever made, North and South is not Jane Austen but it captures the same emotional depth. Margaret Hale moves with her family from southern England to the industrial North, where she clashes with John Thornton, a proud mill owner. The series is known for its romantic tension and social commentary. Fans on social media have strongly recommended it for anyone left with a gap after finishing The Other Bennet Sister.
Sense and Sensibility (2008)
This BBC miniseries stars Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield as the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. After their father dies, the sisters lose their inheritance and must move to a small cottage. Screenwriter Andrew Davies made this version “more overtly sexual” than earlier adaptations, adding intimate scenes that were only suggested in Austen’s novel. The series holds an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the sister dynamic at its heart will feel very familiar to fans of The Other Bennet Sister. It is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Lost in Austen (2008)
This quirky series takes a different approach. Amanda Price, a modern-day London woman who loves Pride and Prejudice, finds a portal in her bathroom that takes her straight into the novel. She swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton), who ends up in modern London. Amanda must figure out how to live in the Regency era without ruining the story. It is an awkward-on-purpose look at culture clashes and is a fun choice for fans who want something unique.
Bridgerton (2020-Present)
Shonda Rhimes‘ massive hit Bridgerton blends the Regency era with modern music, diverse casting, and steamy romance. While it is far more glamorous and explicit than The Other Bennet Sister, the emotional core of women navigating a world with few choices is very much present. Fans of The Other Bennet Sister will especially enjoy Season 3, which features Ella Bruccoleri in a guest role as Miss Barragan. The two shows sit at opposite ends of the same spectrum and complement each other well.
Gentleman Jack (2019-2022)
Set in 1830s Yorkshire, Gentleman Jack follows Suranne Jones as Anne Lister, a real-life landowner who defied social conventions. After inheriting her uncle’s estate, Anne decides to restore her family’s fortune while also pursuing a romance with a fellow landowner. Like Mary Bennet, Anne is a woman who refuses to fit into the box society has made for her. The series shows what it means to be a “maverick” in a time when women had very few choices.
Poldark (2015-2019)
Aidan Turner stars as Ross Poldark, a soldier who returns home after the American Revolutionary War to find his father dead, his estate in ruins, and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin. The series follows his journey to restore his fortune and change his destiny.
While it is not Austen, Poldark shares themes of family drama, social class, and second chances. Period drama fans have strongly recommended it for anyone who enjoyed the emotional depth of The Other Bennet Sister.
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