BritBox has given fans of “The Other Bennet Sister” an early Christmas gift: the first look at a new three-part special set to drop this holiday season. The show follows Mary Bennet, played by Ella Bruccoleri, as she marries Tom Hayward, played by Dónal Finn, after he proposed in the Season 1 finale and she accepted.
The special, titled “The Other Bennet Sister” Christmas Special, is a three-part affair that picks up where the first season left off. Mary is now Mrs. Hayward, and the logline asks a pointed question about who she will become in this new identity.
The Logline Question
“With marriage comes a new identity and the question remains: who will Mary become as Mrs. Hayward?” reads the official description.
The question stands at the center of the special. It is a fair question, and it sets the stage for the story to come.
Returning Faces
Most of the regular cast is back for the special. Ruth Jones returns as Mrs. Bennet. Tanya Reynolds is back as Caroline Bingley. Laurie Davidson returns as Mr. Ryder, and Varada Sethu returns as Ann Baxter.
Poppy Gilbert is back as Lizzie Darcy, and Maddie Close is back as Jane Bingley. Grace Hogg-Robinson returns as Lydia Wickham, and Molly Wright returns as Kitty Buncock. Anna Fenton-Garvey is back as Charlotte Collins.
A New Arrival
Nerys Amber-Stocks joins the cast for the first time as Mary’s housemaid Lucy. The addition brings a fresh perspective to the Hayward household.
The Christmas special is based on new storylines by Janice Hadlow, the author of the novel “The Other Bennet Sister” on which the series is based. Sarah Quintrell adapted Season 1 and has written the special, continuing the adaptation work she began earlier.
The Limited-Series Question
Producer Jane Tranter spoke to Variety earlier this year about the show’s future. She said the series was originally conceived as a limited series, but “the characters just live on.”
Tranter added that any further seasons “really depends on Janice and her thinking.” She also noted that the team is still focused on Austen’s novels. “At the moment we’re concentrating on looking at the novels of Jane Austen, because that’s what we always set out to do,” Tranter said.
“But having set up ‘The Other Bennet Sister,’ you can’t help but think ‘What would happen if – ?’ so we’ll see. We’ll see what Janice says, and Sarah, obviously.”
The Critical Reception
The first season drew plenty of fans, and Variety’s reviewer Aramide Tinubu described the show as “immensely charming and thoughtful.” That is a strong endorsement for a show that takes its inspiration from Jane Austen’s world.
“The Other Bennet Sister” is produced by Bad Wolf for the BBC and BritBox North America. Asim Abbasi returns to direct the special.
Release Order
| Part | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special |
Key Characters
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Mary Bennet | Ella Bruccoleri |
| Tom Hayward | Dónal Finn |
| Mrs. Bennet | Ruth Jones |
| Caroline Bingley | Tanya Reynolds |
| Lizzie Darcy | Poppy Gilbert |
| Lucy | Nerys Amber-Stocks |
The Christmas special gives fans a reason to watch: a beloved character finally tying the knot. The show has built its reputation on giving Mary Bennet moments that Austen’s original text did not provide, and the marriage storyline is a natural extension of that approach.
Whether the special answers the question about who Mary becomes as Mrs. Hayward remains to be seen. For now, the first images are a promise of what is to come, and fans of the show have good reason to be excited.
Source material: “‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Christmas Special Sees Mary Embark on Married Life in First Images,” Variety.
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