Fans of Jane Austen adaptations have a festive treat in store. BritBox has just dropped the first look at the upcoming Christmas special of The Other Bennet Sister, the acclaimed series that reimagines the life of Mary Bennet, the often-forgotten middle sister from Pride and Prejudice.
The special picks up right where the first season left off. As the synopsis reveals, Ella Bruccoleri returns as Mary, now married to Tom Hayward, played by Dónal Finn. But with marriage comes a new identity, and the big question is: who will Mary become as Mrs. Hayward? It's a compelling premise that promises to explore themes of self-discovery and belonging, all wrapped in the cozy, period-drama charm that fans have come to love.
The series, based on Janice Hadlow's novel, has been a massive hit. It premiered on the BBC to widespread acclaim, with Bruccoleri earning a nomination for Drama Performance at the National Television Awards. Across the pond, it found a devoted audience on BritBox, becoming the streamer's latest period drama sensation. In fact, the show pulled in 7.3 million viewers in its first 28 days, marking the biggest launch of a new drama across all platforms and streamers in the UK since May of last year.
Given that success, it's no wonder the announcement of a three-part Christmas special generated so much excitement. The special will be penned by Sarah Quintrell, who wrote nine of the ten episodes of the original series, ensuring continuity in voice and tone. Asim Abbas, who directed the series, is back behind the camera for the special.
Returning cast members include Ruth Jones as Mrs. Bennet, Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley, Laurie Davidson as Mr. Ryder, Varada Sethu as Ann Baxter, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Darcy, Maddie Close as Jane Bingley, Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Wickham, Molly Wright as Kitty Buncock, and Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Collins. Joining the ensemble is Nerys Amber-Stocks as Mary's housemaid, Lucy.
For those who can't get enough of Austen-inspired storytelling, this special arrives in a year already rich with adaptations. Focus Features is set to release a new take on Sense and Sensibility next month, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as the Dashwood sisters. Directed by Georgia Oakley, that film aims to capture the same magic as the beloved 1995 version. But for now, all eyes are on Mary Bennet's next chapter.
The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special is set to air this holiday season on BritBox. Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, you can revisit our ranking of the best on-screen Jane Austen heroines to get in the mood.
