BritBox has unveiled a first look at a three-part Christmas special of The Other Bennet Sister, extending the period drama following the strong performance of its initial ten-episode run.
Produced by Bad Wolf for the BBC and BritBox North America, the new instalments will continue the story of Mary Bennet, played by Ella Bruccoleri, as she adjusts to married life following the events of the main series. Production on the three 30-minute episodes has recently wrapped in Wales.
Ella Bruccoleri Returns as Mary Bennet
Bruccoleri, whose credits include Down Cemetery Road and Wicker, returns in the central role alongside Dónal Finn, known for Young Sherlock and SAS Rogue Heroes, as Tom Hayward.
The tenth episode concluded with Mary agreeing to marry Tom. The Christmas special will explore the next stage of her life as she takes on a new identity as Mrs Hayward and considers what marriage means for her independence and future.
Ruth Jones and Tanya Reynolds Among Returning Cast
A substantial portion of the original ensemble will return. Ruth Jones reprises her role as Mrs Bennet, while Tanya Reynolds returns as Caroline Bingley and Laurie Davidson appears again as Mr Ryder.
Varada Sethu returns as Ann Baxter, with 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.
Nerys Amber Stocks, whose previous credits include Out There and Mammoth, joins the production as Lucy, Mary’s housemaid.
Screenwriter Sarah Quintrell, who wrote nine of the original show’s ten episodes, has written all three Christmas instalments. The episodes are based on storylines by Janice Hadlow, author of the novel on which the television series is based. Asim Abbasi has returned to direct.
BritBox Reports Record Performance for Period Drama
Based on Hadlow’s acclaimed novel, The Other Bennet Sister shifts attention towards Mary Bennet, the frequently overlooked middle Bennet sister from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
The drama follows Mary as she attempts to find her place within the social restrictions of Regency England, where marriage could determine a woman’s financial security and social standing.
The series has also become a significant commercial performer for BritBox in North America. According to figures released with the announcement, during its first 90 days on the streaming service, the programme generated five times more new subscribers than any previous launch.
BritBox said the series also recorded the highest streaming rate for a title launch on the service, with 47% of its active subscribers watching the programme during that period.
The company said the performance contributed to its strongest quarter of subscriber growth to date and its highest-ever week for new sign-ups.
BBC and BritBox Prepare Three-Part Festive Release
The Christmas special was commissioned by Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer at BBC Studios, for BritBox North America, and Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
Executive producers include Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder and Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf; Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC; Robert Schildhouse, Jon Farrar and Jess O’Riordan for BritBox; and Sarah Quintrell and Janice Hadlow.
Development and oversight have been led by Bad Wolf Managing Director Dan McCulloch and Chief Creative Officer Ryan Rasmussen.
Welsh Production Continues International Expansion
Bad Wolf, the production company behind His Dark Materials and Industry, produced the special with support from the Welsh Government through Creative Wales. Sony Pictures Television is responsible for international distribution of The Other Bennet Sister.
The three-part special will be available exclusively through BritBox in the United States and Canada. UK audiences will be able to watch it exclusively on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The additional episodes give BritBox and the BBC an opportunity to build on the programme’s initial audience performance while continuing Mary Bennet’s story beyond the marriage that concluded the first series.