Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Indira Varma, and Richard Coyle to take on Austen characters in BBC’s The Other Bennet Sister…
Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones will co-star as Mr and Mrs Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister. The series is an adaptation of Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel The Other Bennet Sister for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama:
“It’s a joy to see cameras rolling on our vibrant, witty and clever new take on Jane Austen’s beloved world. With a pitch perfect cast led by Ella, Ruth and Richard, The Other Bennet Sister will be an irresistible treat for viewers when it launches on the BBC next year.”
Indira Varma and Richard Coyle will play Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary’s worldly aunt and uncle. Laurie Davidson and Dónal Finn also join the stellar ensemble as Mr. Ryder and Mr. Hayward, respectively – in this adaptation by screenwriter Sarah Quintrell. They star alongside the previously announced Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet.
Filming has commenced in Wales on the ten episode series produced by Bad Wolf in a co-production with BritBox International.
The Gardiners take Mary under their wing as governess to their three children – Marianne (Roisin Bhalla), George (Reggie Absolom), and Rebecca (Jasmine Sharp) – introducing her to an exciting new social world that includes Mr Hayward, Mr Ryder, and Ann Baxter.
This adaptation explores and expands the world of Pride and Prejudice through the often-overlooked perspective of Mary Bennet. Sarah Quintrell will write nine of the ten half-hour episodes, with Maddie Dai writing one episode.
Executive producer Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf:
“We have been working behind the scenes on The Other Bennet Sister for many years now, and Janice’s brilliantly observed characters have lived and grown in our imaginations throughout that time as Sarah has been working on the scripts. So, our actors had a lot to live up to – and I can honestly say that this is the ensemble cast of our dreams. Each one brings something new and exciting to the world of Austen. And all of us at Bad Wolf are delighted to be making a drama that brings such joy”
The executive producers are Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder and Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf, Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC, Jess O’Riordan, Robert Schildhouse and Stephen Nye for BritBox, Sarah Quintrell, and Janice Hadlow. The series has been developed and overseen by Bad Wolf’s Director of Content, Dan McCulloch and Chief Creative Officer, Ryan Rasmussen.
