


In news that’s sure to thrill all forgotten middle children, Mary Bennet is getting her very own BBC show. And before you say “Who…?,” Bennet is, of course, the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and she’s about to step into the spotlight with The Other Bennet Sister.
Lizzy Bennet’s sister is the focus of a 10-part series inspired by Janice Hadlow’s novel of the same name, Variety reports. The show, which comes from Bad Wolf — the producing team behind Doctor Who — gives Mary a chance to shine.
The show’s logline reads: “Unlike her sisters, Mary isn’t your typical period drama heroine. She is awkward, anxious, preachy, full of facts, a terrible singer… overlooked by her mother and seemingly destined to an empty dance card for the rest of her life… until Mary takes matters into her own hands.”
That’s right, Mary is getting her own love story. The Other Bennet Sister sees Mary leave Meryton for Regency London (hello, Bridgerton!) and the Lake District, where she “searches for independence, romance and acceptance,” per Variety.
Who will embody Mary? That remains to be seen, as casting has yet to be announced. The character was previously played by Lucy Briers in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice miniseries and by Tallulah Riley in 2005’s Pride & Prejudice film.

In a statement shared with Variety, Quintrell said she was looking forward to highlighting one of the lesser-appreciated characters of Austen’s literary world in her new show.
“I’m thrilled to be telling the story of Mary – the other Bennet sister – exploring what it is to come of age when you’re the odd one out,” she said. “It’s a joy to be adapting Janice Hadlow’s brilliant take on such a beloved classic with the team at Bad Wolf, and to have found our home at the BBC. I grew up (an awkward, anxious teen, getting everything wrong…) watching the BBC’s wonderful Austen adaptations. It’s the stuff every writer dreams of and I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to screen – not least, for all the Marys out there.”