Pride and Prejudice’s Most Overlooked Sister Now Has Her Own Show: When Does It Drop In the US?
If you know your Bennet sisters, you know Mary — the awkward middle child who reads too much and plays piano badly at parties. She’s the one Jane Austen gave the least to do. Now, a lavish new 10-part drama is giving Mary the story she never got, and it arrives on U.S. screens soon.
What is ‘The Other Bennet Sister’?
The BBC and BritBox have released the first trailer for The Other Bennet Sister, a period drama that reimagines the world of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of Mary Bennet — the oft-overlooked middle sister. The series brings a fresh perspective to Austen’s iconic story as Mary steps out of the shadows and into her own life.
Writer Sarah Quintrell adapted the series from Janice Hadlow’s bestselling novel of the same name. The Bad Wolf production launched in the UK in late March, where it’s currently airing on BBC iPlayer.
BritBox will premiere the series exclusively in the US and Canada on May 6.
A Stacked British Cast
The series boasts a wealth of British talent. Ella Bruccoleri, known for Call the Midwife and Bridgerton, leads as Mary Bennet. Ruth Jones and Richard E. Grant star as Mrs. and Mr. Bennet.
The rest of the Bennet sisters are played by Maddie Close as Jane, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie, Molly Wright as Kitty and Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia. Dónal Finn and Laurie Davidson form Mary’s unsurprising love triangle, while Indira Varma and Richard Coyle star as Mrs. and Mr. Gardiner.
Mary’s Journey From Wallflower to Leading Lady
The story begins at Longbourn, where the Bennet family’s five unmarried daughters navigate the rigid expectations of Regency society. But the focus quickly shifts to Mary’s path beyond the family home. Her journey takes her to the soirées of Regency London and the peaks and vales of the Lake District, all in search of independence, self-love and reinvention.
Bruccoleri described the character’s emotional arc in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“From a young age, she’s seen as not having the same desirable qualities as her sisters,” Bruccoleri said. “She comes to believe that she’s innately unlovable. And then the minute that she steps away from her family, she begins to see things differently. I mean, she has setbacks all the time, but it’s a story about the transformative power of kindness, really.”
Why This One Feels Different
The final product is described as refreshing and airy, promising a satisfying character bloom for this neglected wallflower. Rather than retreading the well-worn territory of Elizabeth and Darcy, the 10-part series zeros in on the sister most audiences have never given a second thought.
For anyone who has ever felt like the overlooked one in the room, Mary Bennet’s story may hit closer to home than any previous Austen adaptation.
How to Watch
The Other Bennet Sister premieres on BritBox in the US and Canada on May 6. The series consists of 10 episodes.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
