Most people tend to write off Mary Bennet from Pride and Prejudice as the awkward, slightly irritating sister, but The Other Bennet Sister offers something far more thoughtful. Here, Mary is given real depth, and much of that comes down to Ella Bruccoleri’s performance. She plays her with quiet intelligence and curiosity, and there’s a subtle wit to her observations that makes her far more engaging than expected. She may be bookish, but she’s far from dull there’s a sharpness to her that cuts through the noise around her.
Based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel and adapted into a 10-part television series by Sarah Quintrell (with additional writing by Maddie Dai), the show sets out to reframe Mary’s story but it doesn’t get off to the strongest start. The first two episodes feel heavy-handed, particularly in how they exaggerate Mary’s supposed failure in the marriage market. What begins as mildly amusing quickly becomes repetitive and, at times, tedious.
This isn’t helped by the portrayal of Mrs Bennet. Ruth Wilson plays her with such heightened energy that it quickly becomes more grating than entertaining. The constant jabs at Mary feel relentless rather than revealing, especially in moments like Mrs Bennet appraising her daughters’ prospects “Lizzie’s wit! Kitty’s good humour! Lydia’s spirit!” with Mary notably excluded altogether. From being overlooked in this way to having her attempts at conversation ignored, the treatment feels excessive rather than insightful.
That said, the series noticeably improves by episode three. With five episodes currently available (and the remaining five due shortly), this is where it begins to find its footing. Mary’s move to London, where she becomes a governess, opens up the story in a much more engaging way. The shift in setting allows her character to breathe, and the narrative finally starts to feel purposeful.
As Mary reflects, “London, it turns out to be a place of learning as much as teaching. A place of trying new things and though I never liked change I seemed to be enjoying myself. Being with him lifted my spirits and I felt something long forgotten. Hope.” It’s here that the series becomes genuinely enjoyable.
A big part of that is the dynamic between Mary and Mr Hayward, played by Dónal Finn. The two share a natural, easy chemistry that brings warmth to the story, making their scenes some of the most compelling. Bruccoleri delivers a quietly assured central performance that holds everything together, even when the writing falters, and ultimately makes the series worth sticking with.
The writing itself is uneven. At times it could be sharper and more restrained especially early on but it still captures something sincere about Mary’s journey. At its best, the series balances humour with introspection, even if it doesn’t always sustain that balance.
Overall, The Other Bennet Sister is a mixed but ultimately rewarding watch. It may take a couple of episodes to settle, but once it does, it offers a thoughtful and engaging reimagining of a character who has long been overlooked.