BBC announces new drama The Other Bennet Sister

The BBC has commissioned The Other Bennet Sister from Cardiff-based indie producer Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry) for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The ten-part drama was written by Sarah Quintrell (“The Power,” “Ellen”) in her first drama series commission for television and is based on the hit novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow.

The Other Bennet Sister is a new ballroom twist for one of Jane Austen’s most obscure characters: Mary Bennet – the seemingly unremarkable and overlooked middle sister in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The series posits that while we may dream of being Lizzy when it comes to the Bennet sisters, in reality most of us are more like Mary…

Unlike her sisters, Mary is not a typical historical drama heroine. She’s awkward, anxious, preachy, full of facts, a terrible singer…overlooked by her mother and seemingly destined to have a blank dance card for the rest of her life…until Mary takes matters into her own hands.

The Other Bennet Sister tells Mary Bennet the epic love story that no one predicted for her, taking her from her family home in Meryton to the soirées of Regency London and the peaks and valleys of the Lake District – all in a search for independence , romance and more of everything elusive, self-love and acceptance.

Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell said: “I’m thrilled to tell the story of Mary – the other Bennet sister – and explore what it means to grow up when you’re the outsider. It’s a pleasure to adapt Janice Hadlow’s brilliant version of such a beloved classic with the team at Bad Wolf, and to have found our home at the BBC (an awkward, angsty teenager who does everything wrong…) and watched the wonderful Austen adaptations. The author dreams of this and I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to the screen – not least for all the Marys out there.

Jane Tranter of Bad Wolf says: “Jane Austen created exactly the kind of intelligent, subtly subversive and groundbreaking women that Bad Wolf prides itself on. Sarah’s stunning scripts explore what lies beneath the surface of the overlooked Bennet sister and bring her vividly to life for television audiences. The BBC’s long relationship with Jane Austen is second to none and it is particularly meaningful to be working with them on this next episode of her life on screen.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “BBC’s Pride and Prejudice will forever remain a classic moment in television history and it’s incredibly exciting to return to Jane Austen’s compelling world and go even further than before – this time in following in the footsteps of “The Other Bennet Sister, Mary.” We fell in love with Sarah’s adaptation because it is a true underdog story full of heart, wit and charm, and offers a chance to explore Austen in a playful, original and heartfelt way.”

The Other Bennet Sister (10×30′) was commissioned by BBC Drama director Lindsay Salt for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The executive producers are Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder and Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf, Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC, Sarah Quintrell and Janice Hadlow. The series was developed and overseen by Dan McCulloch, Director of Content at Bad Wolf.

Bad Wolf is a Sony Pictures Television (SPT) backed company and is supported by Creative Wales. Further details about The Other Bennet Sister will be announced in due course. SPT takes over international sales.

IJ