The Other Bennet Sister star reveals why she left Call the Midwife and talks beloved Pride & Prejudice character

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I first met Ella Bruccoleri on the set last summer while filming in a stunning Georgian mansion in Wales, which served as the location for Longbourn in the new BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. She was polite, but seemed quiet and didn’t say much between takes. It’s understandable, as Bruccoleri was playing the lead role, portraying Mary Bennet – often considered the most overlooked of the Bennet sisters – in this fresh take on the classic story.

Eight months later, Bruccoleri still chuckles when she remembers that time. She describes it as a relentlessly busy period, where she was in every scene and constantly working – acting, preparing for the next day, and trying to get enough sleep. She was very focused on getting into character and staying in that headspace.

Bruccoleri admits she’s unusual for her age – she didn’t grow up loving Austen’s most famous novel. Being from Yorkshire, she says she always preferred the Brontë sisters. However, when she finally read the book, she connected with the character of Mary. While she sees herself as more self-assured, she acknowledges Mary’s youth. She admires Mary’s dedication and work ethic, which resonate with her own approach to mastering skills through diligent study rather than relying on natural talent. For Mary, that means practicing piano daily; for Bruccoleri, it’s taking detailed notes to understand a character – it’s where she feels most comfortable.

I was really drawn to the story of Mary – it’s about her finally stepping out of her siblings’ shadows and making a life for herself in London. What’s fascinating is that the actress who played her, Bruccoleri, actually had a similar experience! She told me about leaving her hometown of Scarborough for Paris when she was in college. She arrived with practically no money, just around £100, but she described it as diving headfirst into a totally new, bohemian world. It was scary, of course, but she felt incredibly energized and truly alive. It really resonated with me, knowing that piece of her own life informed the character so beautifully.

She thinks about how similar she is to her character, Mary: “Mary always wished she could be like Lizzie Bennet, but only when she starts being herself does she realize she doesn’t need to pretend anymore.”

Growing up, my parents weren’t in the industry at all – my dad’s an IT guy and my mom was a children’s nurse – but I knew I wanted to be an actor from when I was five years old. My mom actually encouraged me not to have a backup plan, which is pretty unusual, but she figured I’d give up if I had one. It wasn’t easy, though. I spent six years trying to get into drama school, working as a waitress in London to make ends meet. Finally, on my seventh try, I got accepted to the Oxford School of Drama, and honestly, I haven’t stopped working since!

Many viewers know her as Sister Frances from Call the Midwife, which was her breakout role on television. She jokes that looking back at her early performances makes her cringe, but she says it was a fantastic learning experience where she picked up the skills of screen acting on the job. She ultimately decided to leave the show because she wanted to explore different opportunities and enjoyed the challenge of taking on varied roles.

Bruccoleri immediately knew she wanted the part of Mary Bennet. She remembered reading the script on the subway when another actress told her many people had already auditioned. This made Bruccoleri feel anxious, as she was worried about not getting the role and how much it would affect her.

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After watching the first few episodes, I don’t think anyone could play Mary with more sweetness and endearing awkwardness as she grows and matures. Bruccoleri herself was a little starstruck working with actors like Indira Varma and Ruth Jones, and for good reason! She describes Indira as captivating and Ruth as a comedic genius.

She stopped for a moment. “I was really touched by how much support there was for the project. It could have been overwhelming, but I forced myself to focus. I kept reminding myself, ‘My job is to play Mary, and that’s all that matters.’”

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

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-03-11 11:39