‘Most of Us Long to Be Elizabeth Bennet, But Actually, We’re Mary’

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Everyone knows that Pride and Prejudice is a classic story that has stayed popular for over two centuries. We’ve seen Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s love story told again and again – on TV, in movies, even in different languages. While the famous couple has been reimagined in everything from mysteries to zombie adventures, a new series, The Other Bennet Sister, debuting May 6th on BritBox, shifts the focus. This time, Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Kitty, and their parents take a backseat as their often-overlooked middle sister, Mary, gets the spotlight.

I’ve always felt a little sorry for Mary Bennet – you know, the sister with the terrible singing and who always seemed to bring the mood down with her piano playing. She didn’t seem to mind being overlooked, actually preferred it, which I always found kind of relatable. This new story, The Other Bennet Sister, takes place after Pride and Prejudice ends and finally gives Mary her own adventure. It’s really lovely to see her, with the help of her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, go on a journey to find herself and actually gain some confidence – something the Mary we knew in the original book definitely needed!

Unlike some adaptations that heavily rely on familiar tropes, “The Other Bennet Sister” subtly acknowledges its place within the tradition of stories inspired by Jane Austen. In a clever nod to the past, Lucy Briers, who famously played Mary Bennet in the 1996 BBC series with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, was the first actor cast – this time as the Bennet family’s housekeeper, Hill. Ella Bruccoleri stars as Mary, portraying her as a quietly capable and determined woman who overcomes being underestimated and finds her own success. According to executive producer Jane Tranter, co-founder and CEO of Bad Wolf, the casting was perfect. “By the end, you feel like no one else could have played the part,” Tranter explains, adding that Bruccoleri captures every nuance of the character.

Bad Wolf typically produces shows that are either fantastical stories based on books, or very modern, darkly humorous dramas. So, how does a project like The Other Bennet Sister fit in with shows like His Dark Materials, A Discovery of Witches, Succession, and Industry? What specifically about this novel made us want to create a show expanding on the world of Jane Austen?

I often look at all our projects and wonder how we ended up with such a diverse range! When Janice Hadlow first told me about The Other Bennet Sister, she hadn’t even finished writing it yet. But she truly understands Jane Austen and is very knowledgeable about the Georgian era. We both love 19th-century literature, and she knew I had experience adapting period pieces. I felt confident that if anyone could offer a fresh take on Austen while still honoring her work and values, it would be Janice, and that she would find a unique approach.

Many people relate to Mary Bennet more than Elizabeth. While we might wish we were witty and charming like Elizabeth, we often see ourselves as the earnest, awkward Mary – the sister who tried too hard to be accomplished but never quite succeeded. Jane Austen didn’t seem to enjoy writing Mary; unlike other characters she disliked, she didn’t even bother to make fun of her. Austen usually found some amusement in the flaws of characters she satirized, but Mary didn’t even earn that much attention.

At Bad Wolf, we take our time developing projects because we’re passionate about every detail. We don’t create a lot of series, but when we do, we really focus on making them special. Janice first pitched this idea around 2016 or 2017, but the timing wasn’t quite right. The world wasn’t ready for a main character like this one – someone who challenges traditional hero stereotypes, rather than simply mirroring our own ideals. Ultimately, this is a story about kindness and acceptance, and that’s something everyone is craving.

Your point about inclusivity made me think about Ella Bruccoleri’s performance as Mary Bennet. There were moments where I wondered if she was intentionally portraying Mary as neurodivergent – perhaps hinting at a character who, while taught social graces, often misses subtle social cues. It’s interesting – are those details intentional, or just something viewers might pick up on?

Janice wrote Mary as a fully realized character, and viewers are welcome to interpret her in different ways. We never specifically discussed portraying her as neurodivergent, it wasn’t a deliberate choice. However, we hope that those interpretations will resonate with many people and bring them joy while watching.

I believe audiences are eager to see neurodiversity represented on television, especially with female characters. We often see it with male characters, so having equal representation is a positive step. Often, those portrayals are very obvious, but with Mary, her neurodivergence is simply part of who she is. As a mother of neurodivergent twins, it’s incredibly encouraging to see this kind of authentic representation.

Now that Mary is the central focus, it’s clear she’s healing from a difficult childhood that felt emotionally neglectful. Unloved by her parents, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy, and even the affection from her sisters doesn’t quite reach her. Throughout the story, The Other Bennet Sister, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns to love herself, not because of a romantic relationship, but because she realizes she deserves it. This newfound self-worth helps her finally feel like she belongs in the world, after years of feeling lost and out of place.

Imagine being the middle sister in a family with four incredibly beautiful and graceful sisters. They’re always full of energy, have perfect complexions, and are naturally slim and tall. They’re also charming and effortlessly make conversation. Unless you’re one of them, being around sisters like that would be intimidating!

Viewers who loved the 1996 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice will be watching for references to it in “The Other Bennet Sister.” The most obvious tribute appears in a late-series scene featuring Mr. Hayward and Mr. Ryder in the Lake District. It’s a clear wink to the audience and a fun nod to the original adaptation.

When I started commissioning dramas at the BBC, I often built on the success of earlier adaptations like Pride and Prejudice and Middlemarch. In the early 2000s, I oversaw adaptations of Wives and Daughters, Sense and Sensibility, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, and The Way We Live Now. These were all very popular, and I think the success of the original Pride and Prejudice made them possible. It showed that people would enjoy seeing these classic, sometimes intimidating, novels brought to life as TV series, and might even be inspired to read the books themselves.

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2026-03-31 17:55