GOOD TIDINGS FROM LONGBOURN: "THE OTHER BENNET SISTER" TO RETURN FOR THREE-PART CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR BRITBOX

Sarah Quintrell Returns to Pen Scripts for Bad Wolf Series Based on Storylines by Janice Hadlow

All Episodes Now Available on BritBox

Credit: Jaz Davies/IJPR Media

· BritBox has announced The Other Bennet Sister is returning for a three-part Christmas special, produced by Bad Wolf for BritBox North America and the BBC. Sarah Quintrell, who wrote nine of the ten episodes of the series, is returning to write all three episodes based on storylines by author Janice Hadlow. Asim Abbasi, who directed five episodes of the series, will also return to direct.

· The special, which will shoot primarily in Wales this summer, will see the return of Ella Bruccoleri (Down Cemetery Road, Wicker) as Mary, with a host of other familiar faces from the series set to return.

· Based on Janice Hadlow's acclaimed novel, The Other Bennet Sister follows Mary Bennet, the oft-overlooked middle sister in Pride & Prejudice as she navigates the societal pressures of Regency England, where marriage is both aspiration and necessity.

· The Other Bennet Sister delivered record-breaking results in the US and Canada, driving five times more new subscribers to BritBox in its first five weeks than any previous launch on the service. The series also helped BritBox achieve the strongest quarter of subscriber growth in its history. Since debuting, more than 40% of active subscribers have watched the show on the platform. Abroad, it was the biggest launch of a new drama across all platforms and streamers in the UK since May 2025, with 7.3 million viewers watching in its first 28 days.

· QUOTES:

o Jane Tranter, Executive Producer and CEO of Bad Wolf, says: "We always hoped audiences would fall in love with Mary Bennet's story, but the response to The Other Bennet Sister has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations. These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts, and to explore what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins. Returning to the world of Mary Bennet with our brilliant partners at the BBC and BritBox feels like the perfect way to celebrate the success of the series and give viewers a treat this Christmas."

o Jess O'Riordan, Executive Producer and Commissioning Executive, BritBox says: "We know how much audiences have fallen in love with Mary Bennet, and we're thrilled that her story isn't over yet. We are so pleased Mary's story will continue for three more chapters and to welcome audiences back into the world of The Other Bennet Sister this holiday season."

· The Other Bennet Sister special (3x30') is commissioned by Jon Farrar, Chief Content Officer, Direct to Consumer, BBC Studios, for BritBox North America and Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The executive producers are 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, Sarah Quintrell and Janice Hadlow. The series has been developed and overseen by Bad Wolf's Managing Director, Dan McCulloch and Chief Creative Officer, Ryan Rasmussen.

· Produced by Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry), the special will air exclusively in the US and Canada on BritBox and exclusively in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

· Sony Pictures Television distributes The Other Bennet Sister internationally.

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About BritBox

BritBox is the leading streaming destination for the best of British television, offering an unmatched collection of expertly curated entertainment. From critically acclaimed dramas and mysteries to comedies, documentaries, and lifestyle programming, BritBox invites audiences to step out of their everyday and into a world of exceptional British storytelling. Launched in 2017 and now owned by BBC Studios, BritBox is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Nordics. For more, visit britbox.com, or find the BritBox app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

About Bad Wolf

Since launching in 2015, acclaimed independent production company Bad Wolf has produced an ambitious slate of award-winning high-end dramas from its base in Cardiff, Wales. Amongst other productions, highlights include The Other Bennet Sister for BBC/BritBox; four seasons of Industry for HBO/BBC with a fifth season planned for 2027; three seasons of His Dark Materials for BBC/HBO; three seasons of A Discovery of Witches for Sky/AMC; two seasons of I Hate Suzie for Sky/HBO Max; two seasons of Red Eye for ITV; two seasons of Doctor Who and accompany specials and mini-series The War Between The Land and the Sea for BBC/Disney branded television with BBCS. Production has just wrapped on Berlin Noir for Apple and is currently underway on The Lords' Day for Netflix. Sony International Television acquired a majority stake in the company in 2021.