Jane Austen fans are usually romantics at heart, whether they ever admit it or not. Most book lovers have read one of the author’s most popular classics Pride & Prejudice, which follows the unexpected love story between Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Regency England. But what about the rest of her family, specifically her sister Mary Bennet? Fortunately, Britbox’s The Other Bennet Sister delves into her perspective, which isn’t the witty, picture-perfect romance that readers are accustomed to — and maybe even bored with these days.
Instead, The Other Bennet Sister gives modern viewers a woman they can relate to. Here, Hollywood Life breaks down everything you need to know about the new series!
What Is The Other Bennet Sister About?
The Other Bennet Sister follows the POV of Mary Bennet, the most “plain” sibling of the bunch. Based on Janice Hadlow’s book of the same name, the new series reintroduces us to Mary, who, as the premise reads, is “the oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride and Prejudice.”
The series follows the five unmarried daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. As women, they must navigate the societal pressures of marrying off in Regency England, seemingly their only ticket to living any kind of life. But while Mary’s sisters pursue marriage, she goes down a different path.
“Leaving Longbourn behind, she travels to London to live with her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, in their elegant home on Gracechurch Street,” the show’s description reads. “There, Mary begins a journey of self-discovery, stepping out of the shadows and into her own story.”
The new drama resonates with modern viewers, as Mary is perhaps the only relatable character out of all the Bennets.
Does Jane Austen Talk About Mary Bennet in Pride & Prejudice?
Yes! In fact, Jane’s novel mentions Mary a lot more than some English majors can remember. Lizzy sees Mary as the odd one out of her family, as the Britbox series depicts. At the end of Pride & Prejudice, Mary is the only Bennet sibling without a husband.
Who Is in The Other Bennet Sister Cast?
The main cast features Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, Dónal Finn as Tom Hayward and Laurie Davidson as William Ryder. Supporting cast includes Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet, Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet, Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner and Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner.
The Bennet sisters are portrayed by actresses Maddie Close as Jane Bingley (née Bennet), Poppy Gilbert as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Darcy (née Bennet), Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Wickham (née Bennet) and Molly Wright as Kitty Buncock (née Bennet).
How Can I Watch The Other Bennet Sister Episodes?
For any American viewers who want to revisit the Austen era, they’ll have to sign up for a Britbox subscription! Season 1 of the new show premieres on May 6, 2026, in the U.S.
The first three episodes will drop that day, and a new one will be released each week.
