Mary Bennet Isn’t Done Yet — ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Is Getting a Christmas Special on BritBox and BBC
For a series built around the idea that the most overlooked character in a beloved story still has plenty left to say, ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ has proven an extraordinary point. The ten-part British period drama, produced by Bad Wolf for BBC One and based on Janice Hadlow’s novel of the same name, follows Mary Bennet, the forgotten middle sister of Jane Austen’s iconic Bennet family, through a rich journey of self-discovery in Regency-era England.
The show arrived with serious critical momentum behind it. On Rotten Tomatoes, 97% of critics’ reviews are positive, with the consensus describing it as “cozy, charming, and full of heart,” praising both Ella Bruccoleri’s performance and the series’ fresh approach to Austen’s familiar world. Where other adaptations in the space have leaned into swoony spectacle, ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ moves in the opposite direction, embracing a more thoughtful interiority and centering a character finding herself rather than simply finding a partner.
Audiences clearly wanted more. Variety has reported that ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ is set to return to BritBox and BBC for a three-episode Christmas special, with production planned in Wales this summer. Ella Bruccoleri will reprise her role as Mary, the titular Bennet sister, alongside other familiar faces from the original cast.
Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell, who penned nine of the original ten episodes, is writing all three parts of the special based on storylines by Hadlow herself. Series director Asim Abbasi is also returning to helm the new chapters. The special was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and by Jon Farrar, chief content officer of direct to consumer at BBC Studios, for BritBox North America.
The enthusiasm from the producing team is evident. Executive producer and Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter told Variety that the response to the series had exceeded even their most optimistic expectations, and that the Christmas special would give audiences a chance to discover what happens once the wedding bells fade and real life begins.
BritBox commissioning executive Jess O’Riordan added that the team was thrilled audiences had fallen in love with Mary Bennet and that her story would continue for three more chapters this holiday season.
The commercial case for the special was hard to argue with. The series drove five times more new subscribers to BritBox in its first five weeks than any previous title on the platform, helping deliver the streamer’s strongest quarter yet in terms of subscriber growth. Over in the United Kingdom, it registered the biggest launch for a new drama across all platforms since May 2025, pulling in 7.3 million viewers within its first 28 days.
Though a precise premiere date has not yet been confirmed, the Christmas special will air exclusively in the United States and Canada on BritBox and exclusively in the United Kingdom on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. With the original series leaving audiences deeply invested in where Mary goes next, the real question now is whether you’re hoping the special digs into the quieter complexities of her life after marriage, or whether you want to see it bring back some of the wider Bennet circle for one more festive reunion.
