Ruth Jones reveals how working with Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma put her off Jane Austen – until The Other Bennet Sister

by

The new BBC historical drama, The Other Bennet Sister, is inspired by a novel from Janice Hadlow, which in turn reimagines a character from Jane Austen’s famous novel, Pride & Prejudice.

This 10-episode series centers on Mary Bennet, a character often sidelined in the original story, and is brought to life by Ella Bruccoleri (known from Call the Midwife). The show also includes other familiar faces from the novel, such as Mary’s mother, Mrs. Bennet, played by Ruth Jones.

Ruth Jones, the writer and star of Gavin & Stacey, recently told TopMob that she didn’t discover Jane Austen until later in life. She was speaking with co-star Tom Bruccoleri when she shared this.

You know, I was a latecomer to Pride & Prejudice – I didn’t get around to reading it until I was in my thirties. Honestly, my first reaction wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I started it and thought, ‘Okay, I see what the hype isn’t,’ after the first few pages. But then, something just…shifted. Suddenly, I realized the writing was incredible – truly brilliant in the way it captures human nature and how people think.

Jones explained that his first experience with Pride & Prejudice came after he’d already filmed Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. He’d played a maid in Emma, working alongside Sophie Thompson and her mother, and was excited to join the production because he’d previously worked with Sophie at the Royal Shakespeare Company and felt comfortable with her.

You know, that first movie role of mine was a real trip. I had maybe two lines – something polite like ‘Please come in,’ and then announcing ‘Miss Woodhouse is here’ to the Bates family, and ushering her in. But honestly, Gwyneth Paltrow ended up cutting half of what I said! I remember thinking, ‘Seriously? Does she really need to remove that?’ I was mortified, I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

Ever since that experience, I’ve realized how crucial even a single line of dialogue or writing can be. I really thought “Emma” was a wonderfully written story, though I haven’t read the original book – it seemed quite lengthy and complicated.

Although Jones didn’t initially enjoy Austen adaptations, she’s now leading the cast of ‘The Other Bennet Sister.’ The show also features Richard E. Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, Laurie Davidson, and Dónal Finn.

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, click ‘Accept and continue’ to enable reCAPTCHA.

The series centers on Mary’s journey to discover who she is and what she wants in life, as she emerges from being overshadowed by her sisters. Along the way, she becomes involved in a sweeping romance.

The story follows her as she leaves her family and quiet life in Meryton, venturing into the exciting world of Regency London and the beautiful landscapes of the Lake District. She’s on a quest to find freedom, learn to love herself, and create a new life.

The Other Bennet Sister premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 15 March 2026.

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 recommendations and exclusive content.

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 major international TV production company. He holds a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, along with a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-03-12 21:04