BritBox is bringing “The Other Bennet Sister” back for the holidays, unveiling a first look at a new three-part Christmas special set to arrive this holiday season.
The Jane Austen-inspired series will continue Mary Bennet’s story after the Season 1 finale, which saw Tom Hayward propose and Mary accept. Ella Bruccoleri returns as Mary, with Dónal Finn back as Tom, as the special turns its attention to what comes next for the character in married life.
The central question is laid out directly in the special’s logline: “But with marriage comes a new identity and the question remains: who will Mary become as Mrs. Hayward?”
That framing keeps the focus on the character who has driven the series’ reimagining of the Bennet family story. “The Other Bennet Sister” is based on Janice Hadlow’s novel of the same name, with Season 1 adapted by Sarah Quintrell. Quintrell has also written the three-part special, which is based on new storylines by Hadlow.
Who Is Returning for the Christmas Special?
Bruccoleri and Finn will be joined by a large returning ensemble. Ruth Jones is back as Mrs. Bennet, alongside Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley, Laurie Davidson as Mr. Ryder, Varada Sethu as Ann Baxter, Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie Darcy, Maddie Close as Jane Bingley, Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia Wickham, Molly Wright as Kitty Buncock and Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Collins.
The special will also introduce Nerys Amber-Stocks to the cast as Lucy, Mary’s housemaid.
Asim Abbasi returns to direct the holiday installment. “The Other Bennet Sister” is produced by Bad Wolf for the BBC and BritBox North America.
A Story That May Not Be Finished With Mary
The Christmas special arrives after questions earlier this year about whether “The Other Bennet Sister” could continue beyond its original limited-series conception. Producer Jane Tranter previously told Variety that the show had been conceived as a limited series, but added that “the characters just live on.”
Tranter said any additional seasons “really depends on Janice and her thinking.” She also explained that the team was, at that point, focusing on Jane Austen’s novels, saying, “At the moment we’re concentrating on looking at the novels of Jane Austen, because that’s what we always set out to do.”
Still, Tranter acknowledged that the world of “The Other Bennet Sister” leaves room for creative curiosity. “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 first season found an audience among fans, and Variety reviewer Aramide Tinubu described the show as “immensely charming and thoughtful.”
What Happens Next?
For now, the confirmed next step is the three-part Christmas special, which will stream on BritBox this holiday season. No specific release date has been provided in the supplied information, but the first look signals that Mary Bennet’s next chapter as Mrs. Hayward is on the way.