The spotlight is finally shifting to the overlooked middle sister. A new trailer for The Other Bennet Sister has arrived, giving viewers a proper look at the BBC and BritBox series that places Mary Bennet at the heart of the story.
The 10-episode period drama, based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, reimagines the world of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Instead of following Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the series follows Mary, the sister often seen in the background, as she leaves her family home to find her own path.
A New Leading Lady for a Classic Story
Ella Bruccoleri, known for her role as Sister Frances on Call the Midwife, takes on the role of Mary Bennet. The new trailer shows a very different side of the actor, with her character moving from the shadows of her more famous sisters to the center of her own story.
The trailer opens at the Bennet family home, Longbourn, where Mrs. Bennet, played by Ruth Jones, is not pleased to see Mary wearing glasses. The scene sets up Mary’s struggle to fit into a world that values beauty and charm above all else.
A voiceover asks a key question that defines the series: “If you are not the beautiful one, the quick-witted one, or the one full of youthful energy, then who are you?” The answer, as the trailer shows, is that Mary is someone ready to write her own story.
Who Is Joining the Cast
The series brings together a strong group of British actors. Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones play Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Mary’s parents. Indira Varma and Richard Coyle take on the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Mary’s aunt and uncle who offer her a new life in London.
New faces join the story as well. Dónal Finn plays Mr. Hayward, and Laurie Davidson plays Mr. Ryder, two possible romantic interests Mary meets in London. Varada Sethu also joins the cast as Ann Baxter, a new character created for the series.
The cast also includes Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley, Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Lucas, and Ryan Sampson as Mr. Collins, giving viewers familiar faces from Austen’s original novel.
What the Trailer Shows About the Story
The trailer takes Mary from the quiet village of Meryton to the busy social world of Regency London. Viewers see her at grand balls, walking through the Lake District, and slowly stepping out of her comfort zone.
In one scene, Mary talks to a man who asks if she is Miss Bennet. She hesitates before answering, “I… I… must be. Yes, I am.” The moment shows her uncertainty about her place in the world.
The series, written by Sarah Quintrell, focuses on Mary’s search for independence and purpose. Unlike her sisters who look for marriage and social success, Mary wants something different. She finds support from her aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, who take her in as a governess to their children.
Release Details Across the Globe
The Other Bennet Sister is now available in the UK. The series launched on BBC iPlayer on March 15, 2026, with the first five episodes available from 6am. BBC One airs a double bill weekly at 8pm.
The remaining five episodes became available on BBC iPlayer on March 29, 2026.
For viewers in the United States and Canada, BritBox will premiere the series on May 6, 2026. The series is a co-production between BBC and BritBox, with production handled by Bad Wolf, the company behind His Dark Materials and Industry.
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A Fresh Take on a Beloved World
The series arrives during the 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen’s birth, adding to a growing list of projects celebrating the author’s work. The Other Bennet Sister is different because it moves beyond the main story of Pride and Prejudice to explore a character who has never had much attention.
Author Janice Hadlow shared her excitement about seeing her book come to life, noting that Mary finally gets the story Jane Austen never gave her.
Writer Sarah Quintrell explained the idea behind the show, saying it is about finding your place when you feel like the odd one out. She noted that even though her world was very different from Jane Austen’s, there is a shared experience in trying to figure out who you are.
The Other Bennet Sister is now streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK and arrives on BritBox in North America on May 6.
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