The Other Bennet Sister, based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, follows Ella Bruccoleri, of Call the Midwife and Bridgerton, as Mary Bennet as she steps out of her sisters’ shadows in search of her own identity and purpose.
Filmed in Wales, the series not only features the incredible landscapes and striking locations, but it also offers up some one of the best and biggest names in Welsh acting in the form of Ruth Jones.
Playing the matriarch of the family, Mrs Bennet, Ms Jones stressed that fans of the original novel and other adaptations won’t be disappointed.
She said: There are so many nods to Pride and Prejudice – recognisable characters, iconic ballroom scenes, moments that make you think, “I remember that.”
“Janice Hadlow’s novel is crucial here; her vision of Mary allows the adaptation to examine society, our anxieties about fitting in, and the pressure of social norms.”
The series features some well-known locations from across Wales, giving Ms Jones the chance to come back home to a place she knows well to film this period drama.
She said: “I love coming back to Wales. I recognise so many crew members I’ve worked with before, and it makes me proud that we’re creating a production like this here.
“Locations like St Fagans Folk Museum are places I’ve known since childhood.”
The role of Mrs Bennet is iconic and one that Ms Jones says is like “stepping into very large shoes”, but she is determined to portray her in a different light than we have previously seen her.
She said: “In The Other Bennet Sister, we don’t see a woman of purely nervous disposition.
“I think of her like an estate agent with five properties to sell – four will be snapped up, but one can’t even get a viewing.
“She’s a tough businesswoman. That really appealed to me.”
The Other Bennet Sister premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
