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"The Other Bennet Sister" could also be billed as "'Pride and Prejudice' reimagined through the lens of often overlooked middle sister, Mary Bennet." You may be surprised how life looks for her...
Here's how to watch "The Other Bennet Sister" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"The Other Bennet Sister" premieres on Sunday, March 15 on BBC One
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — Britbox (May 6)
• Canada — Britbox (May 6)
• Australia — Binge (March 16)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Supposedly without the looks and vivacious personalities of her four sisters, Mary has to plot a different course to secure her future (and potentially that of her family). In so doing, and as 'P&P' spin-off adapted from the titular 2020 novel by Janice Hadlow is at pains to demonstrate, this determined young woman (played by Ella Bruccoleri) has many obstacles to overcome to win her independence.
Not least of these are the competing demands of duty, friendship and love - not least a love of self that might turn out to be the hardest won. She leaves the family home and abandons the pressures society places upon her to "marry well" and moves to London to make a life for herself. We find ourselves rooting for her throughout this epic ten-part period drama.
Read on to find out how to watch "The Other Bennet Sister" online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'The Other Bennet Sister' for FREE in the U.K.
How to watch 'The Other Bennet Sister' from anywhere
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "The Other Bennet Sister" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "The Other Bennet Sister" online and on-demand.
How to watch 'The Other Bennet Sister' around the world
Can I watch "The Other Bennet Sister" in the United States?
Yes. "The Other Bennet Sister" premieres on Britbox in the U.S. on Wednesday, May 6.
U.K. resident visiting America? NordVPN can unlock your stream so you can watch from March 16.
Can I watch 'The Other Bennet Sister' online in Canada?
Yes. "The Other Bennet Sister" premieres on Britbox in Canada on Wednesday, May 6.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North you can watch from anywhere using NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Other Bennet Sister' online in Australia?
"The Other Bennet Sister" premieres on Monday, March 16 in Australia on Binge.
Prices start at AU$10/month or $79/year.
Remember, If you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under you can catch the show on your usual domestic streamer by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'The Other Bennet Sister' - Cast
Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet
Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet
Richard E. Grant as Mr Bennet
Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner
Richard Coyle as Mr Gardiner
Róisín Bhalla as Marianne
Reggie Absolom as George
Jasmine Sharp as Rebecca
Laurie Davidson as Mr Ryder
Dónal Finn as Mr Hayward
Varada Sethu as Ann Baxter
Aaron Gill as John Sparrow
Maddie Close as Jane
Poppy Gilbert as Lizzie
Molly Wright as Kitty
Grace Hogg-Robinson as Lydia
Tanya Reynolds as Caroline Bingley
Anna Fenton-Garvey as Charlotte Lucas
Ryan Sampson as Mr Collins
Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill
'The Other Bennet Sister' - Episode guide
Season 01 Episode 01: "Chapter 1" - Seemingly unremarkable and often overlooked, Mary Bennet longs to win her family’s approval. The Meryton assembly brings with it an opportunity to shine – and Mary’s first taste of romance. But when Mary’s behaviour at the ball attracts attention, she must decide between trying to please her family and forging a path of her own.
S01 E02: "Chapter 2" - After disappointment at the ball, Mary sets aside hopes of finding a match and devotes herself to more serious pursuits. But Mary’s resolve is tested when Mr Bennet's distant cousin Mr Collins visits Longbourn with a surprising proposal. Mary contemplates a decision that could save her family from ruin – but is she really willing to suppress her true feelings to secure her family’s future?
S01 E03: "Chapter 3" - In the wake of a family tragedy, the Bennet household is thrown into disarray. Mary faces an uncertain future, until her aunt and uncle offer her the chance of a fresh start. At first, Mary struggles to adjust to her new life, but she begins to realise that there’s a world away from the watchful eye of Mrs Bennet.
S01 E04: "Chapter 4" - As Mary is finding her footing in London, she overhears something which knocks her newfound confidence. Mr Hayward opens up Mary’s mind – and her heart – by introducing her to poetry. But their budding connection is complicated by Mr Hayward’s engagement. As Mary wrestles with troubling new feelings, she finds herself caught between duty, a new friendship and the possibility of love.
S01 E05: "Chapter 5" - Mary prepares for her official debut in London society, buoyed by her friendship with Ann and the attentions of Mr Ryder. But a run-in with her old rival Caroline Bingley threatens Mary’s growing confidence. Mary faces up to her old rival at a dinner party, but just as things seem to be shifting for Mary, an urgent message from home throws everything into uncertainty.
S01 E06 to S01 E10: TBC
What has Ella Bruccoleri (who plays Mary Bennet aka "The Other Bennet Sister") said about the series?
How would you describe your Mary Bennet?
Mary Bennet has been written off by many members of her family, and as a result she’s written herself off too. When we meet her at the beginning of the series, she’s living with her family in a small village and has never really left that world. These are the only people she knows, and she understands herself through the values they impose on her. We know these characters from Pride and Prejudice, but it’s fascinating to see the impact they have on someone like Mary.
What excited you most about telling her story?
Mary’s not your typical period drama heroine. She lives in a world where, particularly for women, appearance is everything, and she doesn’t understand that value system at all. Instead, she turns to literature that offers a different viewpoint. Her favourite book is Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women, because it argues that women shouldn’t have to be beautiful — they should be intelligent and pious.
How do you think this adaptation honours Austen’s legacy while offering something new?
When I read Jane Austen, I’m always struck by how it is so witty, with humour in every line. Sarah Quintrell really brings that into the scripts, and Janice Hadlow’s book does the same. The novel is very different in style from Austen, but it feels like a genuine extension of Pride and Prejudice.
Sarah’s scripts tread the line between comedy and drama better than anything I’ve ever read. It feels like a tragicomedy - it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it’s also not afraid to delve into emotionally weighty material. That feels very true to Jane Austen.
What was it like filming The Other Bennet Sister?
What was so lovely was having time between being cast and filming starting. Director Jennifer Sheridan and producer John Pocock sent me for piano lessons, calligraphy, horse riding and movement sessions. I was able to ask for what I thought would be helpful before we began.
Is there anything from the Regency era you’d like to see return today?
Quills. Imagine if we were all still writing with quills. I love it when you get a really good one.
Do you have any tips for being a Regency wallflower?
Stick to the outskirts of the room. Stay within touching distance of the wall. Hide in the shadows and observe. A lot of Mary’s behaviour is learned - she’s spent her life watching other people.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "Return to Paradise" season 2, "Hope Street", "Once Upon a Time in Space", "Mary at 90: A Lifetime of Cooking", "In My Own Words: Frederick Forsyth" and "The Ridge".
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