The Other Bennet Sister writer teases Ruth Jones’s “brutal” version of Mrs Bennet

by

The new BBC series, The Other Bennet Sister, offers a fresh perspective on familiar characters. The first five episodes are currently available, exploring sides of these characters that viewers haven’t seen before.

The story focuses on Mary Bennet, the frequently overlooked sister from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, and is brought to life by actress Ella Bruccoleri.

The show offers a fresh take on well-known literary characters, and Ruth Jones’s portrayal of Mrs. Bennet is described by writer Sarah Quintrell as particularly harsh and uncompromising.

In a recent interview for our series, The TopMob Writers’ Room – where we explore the minds of screenwriters – Quintrell praised the show’s casting, calling the work of casting director Kahleen Crawford and her team “absolutely incredible.”

She raved about the cast, calling them incredibly talented and saying she wouldn’t be where she is today without Ella Bruccoleri. She also described them as down-to-earth, dedicated, and a joy to work with.

We used to have lunch together under a small tent near Longbourn, and everyone pitched in, making it a really wonderful time. It was during that period that we all really connected with each other. As I wrote the characters, I grew very close to them, especially Mary, whom I loved. The casting process was quite a challenge, but ultimately rewarding.

When Ella entered the room, I immediately recognized her – she’d already done some preliminary recordings. This was for a final audition, and I was so relieved and happy to have found someone who truly understood the character. She had the acting ability, the comedic timing, and the right feel for everything. She exceeded all my expectations.

Alongside the main cast, “The Other Bennet Sister” features Richard E Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, Laurie Davidson, and Dónal Finn. The series is five episodes long and is being released in two parts. You can watch the first set of episodes now, and the remaining episodes will be available starting Sunday, March 29th.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission because reCAPTCHA might use cookies. If you want to see the content, please select ‘Accept and continue’ to enable reCAPTCHA.

This series, adapted from Janice Hadlow’s novel, offers a new take on the classic story of Pride and Prejudice. It tells the story through the eyes of Mary Bennet, the middle sister who is usually ignored, as she comes into her own and finds her place in the world.

Fans of Pride & Prejudice have two new series to look forward to this year. In addition to this one, Netflix is also releasing an adaptation of the classic novel, starring Olivia Colman as Mrs. Bennet.

You can now watch the first five episodes of The Other Bennet Sister on BBC iPlayer. The remaining five episodes will be added on Sunday, March 29th, starting at 6 AM.

Don’t miss The Other Bennet Sister! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a global TV production company. He holds a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, as well as a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-03-15 09:36