Most period pieces find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place creatively. If they lean too heavily into the historical touches and pagentry, they risk overshadowing the characters and losing the timeless human qualities that make stories worthwhile. Alternatively, too much of a modern touch can make the time period feel superfluous. Finding that balance is something only the best examples of the genre achieve, feeling timeless in their humanity even while their story is very firmly rooted in a period.
Coming to BritBox, The Other Bennet Sister is a terrific example of that alchemy coming together for something special, with the Jane Austen reimagining delivering on a cozy, comfy tone that never feels out of place or less than wholeheartedly human. More so than just the period piece clothing and the literary connection, the show thrives when it allows itself to be a fitting reimagining of Pride and Prejudice as well as an effectively told love story. Full of charm from head to toe, Sarah Quintrell’s scripts and the cast’s heartfelt performances elevate this miniseries into something special.
Set during and after the events of Pride and Prejudice, The Other Bennet Sister focuses on Mary, the middle sister of the novel’s primary family. A supporting character in the source material and subsequent adaptations, Mary takes center-stage in The Other Bennet Sister as the sweet-natured but introverted Mary, who finds herself next in line to be married off — even if her quiet demeanour and the efforts of other eligible young women don’t exactly make that the easiest prospect in the world. The production value does a good job at recreating the gentry of the era, even if it can’t quite match the glossy heights of other shows like Bridgerton.
That actually plays into the show’s favor, however, as it keeps the focus on Mary and her own growth as she develops the confidence to be at the heart of her own romance story. If anything, those touches feel reflective of Mary herself, muted in appearance at first but quietly an open-hearted and wonderfully sweet figure. It all feels grounded and connected to how Mary sees herself and the world around her, gradually lightening up as the show progresses. The scripts by Sarah Quintrell are a delight, effectively serving as a Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead for Jane Austen’s novel that never undercuts or judges the source material. There’s a clear love for the characters that’s infectious, especially Mary, who gradually proves to be just as compelling as her sister.
Ella Bruccoleri is the key here, as her lead performance keeps the audience emotionally invested in her highs and lows. There’s a softness to the character’s heart, a genuine sincerity in her quirks that makes her fall all the more emotionally resonant. Mary could have come across as dull in the wrong hands, but Bruccoleri affords her the right amount of quiet resilience to make for an instantly lovable lead. The love triangle that develops surrounding her and two eligible bachelors (Tom and William, played with just the same level of emotional honesty and effortless charm by Dónal Finn and Laurie Davidson) works because the actors are able to zero in on the sweetest aspects of their characters, developing a great dynamic. All of this is bolstered by strong supporting performances, including Ruth Jones and Richard E. Grant as the Bennet parents and Poppy Gilbert’s memorable turn as Elizabeth.
Across the board, The Other Bennet Sister benefits from an emotionally honest and immensely charming execution. The actual drama might feel forced at times, with a lack of stakes compared to something like Bridgerton or The Gilded Age, which may leave some audiences wishing for a bit more drama. However, that soft-spoken emotional authenticity is a key element of what makes the show good in the first place. It’s a story about a woman coming into her own, with that arc only growing more engaging and entertaining with each episode. The fact that it does all this with tight half-hour episodes and a well-constructed 10-episode throughline is even more impressive, given how easily period piece shows can give in to distraction.
The Other Bennet Sister may not be the most ambitious entry in the genre, but it is easily among the most entertaining. With a soft heart and sweet characters, the plot moves along at an enjoyable clip. The romance at the center of the story is an ideal rom-com conflict, where no one comes across as a caricature and all the emotional challenges feel real. There’s a softness to the Britbox show that might not make it the most intense show, but the ten-episode series serves as a perfectly cozy romance that’s well worth watching for fans of the genre.
The Other Bennet Sister comes to BritBox on May 6.
