First look at Ruth Jones in new BBC period drama with Jane Austen characters and “incredible cast”

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The BBC has given fans a first glimpse of Ruth Jones, known for Gavin & Stacey, in her new role in the period drama The Other Bennet Sister. The series, adapted from Janice Hadlow’s novel, tells the story of Mary Bennet – the frequently overlooked middle sister from Pride and Prejudice.

The series starts at the Bennet family’s home, Longbourn, and centers on the five Bennet sisters as they try to find husbands in the complex society of Regency England, where marriage is essential for a secure future.

While her sisters look for love, Mary goes to London with her aunt and uncle to find herself and start living life on her own terms.

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Ella Bruccoleri, known for her role in Bridgerton, will play Mary Bennet in the upcoming adaptation. Richard E. Grant and Jones will portray Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

The cast also includes Indira Varma, known for her role in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Richard Coyle from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Laurie Davidson of The Girlfriend, and Dónal Finn, who appears in The Wheel of Time.

The recently published photos reveal the actors wearing beautiful Regency-era costumes while filming what appears to be a captivating historical drama.

Jennifer Sheridan and Asim Abbasi directed the series. Sarah Quintrell wrote the majority of the episodes – nine out of ten – with Maddie Dai writing the remaining one.

Quintrell described working on the series as a delightful experience, particularly the chance to tell a story from Mary Bennet’s perspective for the first time. She praised the cast for bringing fresh energy to the characters, noting that while the story is set in the well-known world of Jane Austen, it offers a unique and original take.

As a huge Austen fan, I’m so hyped for Mary Bennet to finally get her own story! I’ve been following the news, and Ella Bruccoleri sounds incredible in the role. From what I’ve heard, the whole cast really gets the characters and brings a beautiful, emotional depth to the drama. It’s going to be amazing to see this untold side of Pride & Prejudice!

The ten-episode series will debut in 2026 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It will also be available on BritBox in the US and Canada.

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2025-12-12 23:19