The British period drama The Other Bennet Sister is finally premiering in the U.S. and it’s my favorite Pride and Prejudice adaptation ever.
Produced by Bad Wolf for BBC One, it’s the adaptation of the same novel by Janice Hadlow. And it acts as a continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. But instead of following Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, we see the story from the point of view of Mary Bennet, the overlooked sister that is part of the Bennet family.
Playing Mary Bennet is Ella Bruccoleri. I personally have never seen her work, which includes Call the Midwife and Extraordinary. But after witnessing her create this gentle but determined, intelligent, kind and layered woman, I need to consume everything that she’s been in. Because while her sister’s might be classic beauties that you picture being in period dramas, Mary steals every scene by just being herself.
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Throughout these first three episodes, you’re taken on a journey with Mary. And if you’ve read Pride and Prejudice or watched any of the adaptations, you’re going to recognize a lot of familiar beats and faces from the book. But the show finds a beautiful balance between satisfying those watching for nostalgia and those looking for something new. Because this is Mary’s story.
Mary also breaks the stereotypical bookworm mold in many ways. Yes, she’s an avid reader who will choose a book before a party. But when she does party she enjoys herself to the fullest, a bright smile on her face as she twirls around with her partner, not a care in sight. Also, she’s down for marriage, love, and she cares for her sisters as much as they care for her, even if they leave her behind sometimes.
This makes Mary someone you can’t help but root for as her sisters get married, move out, and leave her alone with her mother and father.
Now my crushing hate for Mrs. Bennet comes into play when we’re talking about The Other Bennet Sister. Because she is the soul sucking force in Mary’s life. She makes Mary feel small for wearing glasses, taking a chance to find a suitable match and save their family, and doesn’t care for her joy one ounce. Even when Mr. Bennett dies, Mrs. Bennet sends Mary off as if she were a nuisance without a goodbye.
By this point in The Other Bennet Sister’ first three episodes, I’m absolutely right or die for Mary Bennet to the point that I felt like Vicki Vallencourt from The Waterboy holding up that sign saying “Want me to kill them?” Because I wanted to not only protect her from her mother, but from the world. Because The Other Bennet Sister doesn’t shy away from the fact that Mary is plain and doesn’t fit this romantic version of the “beautiful” wife. And if it hurts us as the viewer, it certainly hurts Mary.
One of my favorite parts of this show so far is that we haven’t had a makeover yet.
Makeovers are great and all, but that’s not honest and requires the person to change to be loved. Mary hasn’t changed who she is to conform to what others want. Instead she’s now in London with relatives who encourage her to explore herself and the world around her based on her own choices and wants. And that right there is the kind of liberation and room for growth that will change Mary for herself and not some guy who will swoon when she wears no glasses and lipstick.
By the time that The Other Bennet Sister Episode 3 ends we have such a well structured story that I can’t help but want to see more of. It’s also enabled me to forgive the messiness that is Mr. Hayward and his possible engagement. Because what do you mean that the guy who makes Mary flustered with his forearms and kind smile is engaged? I need answers and I need them now. Until then, I can’t wait for more of this BBC series.
The first three episodes of The Other Bennet Sister are available on BritBox with weekly releases on Wednesday.
