Ruth Jones reveals what she told Gavin & Stacey icon Alison Steadman about the beloved Jane Austen role they now share

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This peaceful place, a few miles west of Cardiff, feels frozen in time. It’s not just the charming country roads, fields, and birdsong, but a sense that life here is still lived as it was in the past – a vibrant, old-fashioned way of life.

Outside a grand Georgian house, carriages are waiting to take newly married daughters away, while their parents wave goodbye. Everyone is leaving except Mary, who, as fans of Pride and Prejudice remember, always preferred reading to social events and remains at home – for the time being.

This adaptation focuses on the story of Mary Bennet, based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, The Other Bennet Sister. Though Hadlow has a strong background in television – she used to be in charge of BBC Two – she was glad someone else took on the task of bringing her book to the screen.

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The approach to storytelling is quite unique,” she explains, “and having some emotional distance helps.” Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell’s script cleverly retells well-known events from the original Austen novel – like Jane and Bingley’s engagement and the initial friction between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy – but offers a fresh viewpoint. The story also allows us to sympathize with Mary, played by Ella Bruccoleri, as she tries to avoid the limited options facing women at the time – either marriage or a difficult life – and forge her own path.

Hadlow points out that the captivating relationship between Lizzie and Darcy can overshadow the other characters, especially on a first reading. She notes that Mary, though a smaller role, is a memorable character – an awkward and self-important young woman prone to social blunders. Austen provides insight into Mary’s motivations, explaining that as the least attractive sister, she relied on her intelligence and strict morals to stand out. This offers a deeper understanding of a character often presented as simply comedic relief.

Hadlow points to the well-known scene in Pride and Prejudice where Mary performs at the piano with pride, despite her lack of skill. Her father, Mr. Bennet, eventually stops her to spare everyone’s feelings—and ears—by saying, “You’ve entertained us sufficiently.”

Honestly, I was just filled with sympathy for the character, and I started to think, ‘What if I could rewrite her story with a happier ending than the one she originally had?’ It’s something I often consider with Austen’s heroines – they’re all on a path to understanding themselves as much as finding love. I kept asking myself, ‘What would a truly happy ending look like for her?’ And beyond that, I wanted to write something relatable – a book for anyone who’s ever cringed at a social blunder, you know, had a ‘Mary Bennet moment.’ Let’s face it, that’s pretty much all of us at some point!

Hadlow believes Austen’s novels also explore the complex bond between mothers and daughters, and she particularly enjoys Ruth Jones’s performance as Mrs. Bennet. Jones brilliantly portrays the mother determined to marry off her daughters, embracing both the humor and the character’s subtle social commentary – exemplified by lines like “he owns a shop, with a bell” – while also conveying a sense of empathy for the limited opportunities available to women of that era.

You hear the term ‘narcissist’ thrown around a lot now, and I think this character really fits the bill – she’s capable of very strong reactions. However, she also has five daughters and feels a fierce need to ensure they’re all married, so in that sense, she’s a very protective mother, like a lioness. Think of her as a real estate agent trying to sell five properties, but one is proving impossible to move. Her last conversation with Mary really reveals what she‘s thinking. Ultimately, she’s a fun character to play and hopefully to watch, but there’s a lot more depth to her than meets the eye.

Alison Steadman, who starred alongside Jones in Gavin and Stacey, famously played the same character in the BBC’s popular 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Jones revealed she’d been cast before the news was public. She recalls telling Steadman at a noisy awards show, ‘I’m going to play Mrs. Bennet,’ and that Steadman was thrilled. Jones also mentioned she planned to portray the character in a very different way than Steadman had.

According to Jones, the way Mrs. Bennet controls Mary is very noticeable, as is her dislike for her husband. Jones observes that they once had a loving relationship, but it has faded and turned into open hostility.

Lucy Briers played Mary in the 1995 production, and now she’s returned as Mrs. Hill, a devoted servant who offers much-needed support to the lonely Mary. While taking a break on set, Briers, who bears a striking resemblance to her father Richard, shared that being back feels like traveling through time, connecting her past and present roles in a meaningful way – a perfect circle, she called it.

Playing Mary thirty years ago really meant a lot to me, especially because I’ve always felt she was the Bennet sister closest in spirit to Jane Austen herself. I did a deep dive into research, and I discovered a letter mentioning how Jane was only allowed to play the piano when the family wasn’t around. It struck me how similar that was to Mary – she wasn’t considered traditionally beautiful, but she really forged her own path. What I particularly loved about ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ was the introduction of Mrs. Hill, who becomes a sort of mother figure for Mary, encouraging her to explore the world – a role that’s so important given Mrs. Bennet’s focus on her other daughters. That connection between them is just beautiful.

According to Briers, people keep revisiting Austen’s work – both as readers and writers – because her stories are timeless tales of love and celebrate underdogs who ultimately succeed.

Many people identify with Austen’s characters, and she’s known for her clever and playful humor. Jones admits she once thought Austen’s writing was silly and superficial, but after reading Pride and Prejudice later in life, she realized Austen had a remarkable understanding of people. Even though she wrote in the 18th century, her observations about human nature still feel relevant today.

Hadlow is still amazed by seeing her book adapted for the screen. She says it’s incredible to hear actors speak lines she wrote, but quickly points out that the story is also heavily influenced by Jane Austen’s work.

It was amazing celebrating 250 years since Jane Austen was born last year, and it really got me thinking about why her books still resonate with so many people, including me. I think it’s because she was such a skilled writer – she really knew how to create believable characters and craft a compelling story. That’s what I’ve taken away from reading about her work.

As a total romantic at heart, I’ve always loved how Jane Austen brings characters together – it’s like she instinctively knows who needs to meet who, and when, so they can lift each other up and become their best selves. It totally worked for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and you see it in all her pairings – think Mr. Knightley and Emma, or Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot. Honestly, nobody crafts a satisfying happy ending quite like she does. And I’m really hoping we finally get a story focused on Mary Bennet – she deserves one!

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-03-09 20:43