⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
By Katy O’Brien.
Rather than another adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice novel, focusing on the romance between Lizzy and Mr Darcy, The Other Bennet Sister shines the spotlight on the clumsy and with “maladroite” (as her mother played by Ruth Jones)
The BBC’s 10-episode series is based on the 2020 novel by Janice Hadlow, following Mary as she embarks on a new life away from her sisters and her loud, obnoxious mother. This period-drama is brought to screen by directors Jennifer Sheridan and Asim Abbasi. Although their style is not intrusive The Other Bennet Sister has call backs for fans of the BBC’s much-loved Pride and Prejudice (1995). One noticeable call back is the appearance of Lucy Briers, who played Mary Bennet in the BBC adaptation, now playing the role of housekeeper Hill. This nod to the 1995’s adaptation is one of the most heart-warming additions, as Mary and Hill have their own little encounters throughout the series.
What makes The Other Bennet Sister so compelling is that Mary isn’t transformed into a glamorous regency protagonist, but her cleverness and loneliness are shown with great depth and empathy. With Mary not naturally following society’s expectations of marriage, unlike her four sisters, she is learning and growing with herself as she builds in confidence and independence. Even if that means rocking up to a dinner party in a lime green dress with bright red trimming.
Although the middle episodes feel a bit slow, with Mary attending balls and parties in London, the last three episodes is where the series truly comes to life. With Mary in the Lake District with her aunt and uncle (Indira Varma and Richard Coyle) and with the surprise guest of Mr Hayward (Dónal Finn), the true period-drama romance begins to flourish between these two characters.
With the unforgettable lake scene, Mary is truly in her element as she unintentionally gets herself into a love triangle. Here The Other Bennet Sister follows in the footsteps of other period-dramas, with enticing the love interest into a lake (BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and Netflix’s Bridgerton). This is perfectly shown as Mary is brought back to shore by Mr Hayward and the questionable Mr Ryder, both equally drenched.
If you have ever felt that “you’re not the beautiful one, or the quick witted one, or the ones that are good at games and full of youthful energy” as Mary does, this series should be added to your watchlist.
The Other Bennet Sister is a perfect add on to the world of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with a heart-warming, amusing and emotional narrative, of a young woman paving and finding her own way in the world away from her sisters and mother. Perhaps this will create a string of series on each Bennet sister, possibly of Kitty, as she now is the least known-about character.
