THE OTHER BENNET SISTER TO RETURN WITH THREE-PART CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON BBC ONE

The Other Bennet Sister is returning to BBC iPlayer and BBC One for a three-part Christmas special produced by Bad Wolf for the BBC and BritBox North America.

Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell, who wrote nine of the ten episodes of the series, will return to write all three episodes based on storylines by author Janice Hadlow.

Asim Abbasi, who directed five episodes of the series, will also return to direct.

The series, which will shoot primarily in Wales this summer, will see the return of Ella Bruccoleri (Down Cemetery Road, Wicker) as Mary, with a host of other familiar faces from the series set to return.

Based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, The Other Bennet Sister followed Mary Bennet, the oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride & Prejudice as she navigated the societal pressures of Regency England, where marriage is both aspiration and necessity. The final episode of the series saw Mary agreeing to wed Tom Hayward, but fans will be keen to know what challenges the future holds for the happy couple…

The Other Bennet Sister was the biggest launch of a new drama across all platforms and streamers in the UK since May 2025, with 7.3 million viewers watching in its first 28 days.

It also became one of the BBC’s most successful social media campaigns of the year so far, generating 250 million media views across the BBC’s accounts on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, and underlining the strength of the BBC’s multiplatform strategy. By building buzz and fandom among audiences, the campaign drove social engagement and cultural impact, bringing audiences to BBC iPlayer to watch the full series.

Jane Tranter, Executive Producer and CEO of Bad Wolf, says: “We always hoped audiences would fall in love with Mary Bennet’s story, but the response to The Other Bennet Sister has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations.

These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts, and to explore what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins. Returning to the world of Mary Bennet with our brilliant partners at the BBC and BritBox feels like the perfect way to celebrate the success of the series and give viewers a treat this Christmas.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: "It's been incredibly exciting to see Mary Bennet cause such a sensation in 2026, and we could not be happier to announce this new three-part Christmas gift to her millions of fans. Marriage was just the beginning for the no-longer-so-overlooked Bennet sister, and it's a joy to be working with Sarah, Janice and the Bad Wolf team to let viewers discover what comes next."

Jess O’Riordan, Commissioning Executive of BritBox North America says: “We know how much audiences have fallen in love with Mary Bennet, and we’re thrilled that her story isn’t over yet. We are so pleased Mary’s story will continue for three more chapters and to welcome audiences back into the world of The Other Bennet Sister this holiday season."

The Other Bennet Sister special (3x30’) is commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One and Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios, for BritBox North America.