Call the Midwife star confirmed for Jane Austen role in new "beautiful" BBC period drama
An overlooked Pride and Prejudice character will take centre stage in a "beautiful" upcoming BBC series starring Call the Midwife's Ella Bruccoleri.
Jane Austen's beloved classic revolves around headstrong protagonist Elizabeth Bennet, giving readers a glimpse of her eldest sister Jane's goodheartedness and beauty, and more than a hint of the recklessness of younger sisters Kitty and Lydia.
The middle sister, Mary, doesn't appear very often in the novel. When she does, she's described as a bookish, wallflower character, a homebody who has some social awkwardness to her and doesn't love partaking in the activities of polite society.
Inspired by the novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow, The Other Bennet Sister turns Mary's story into a bigger arc of self-discovery and independence as she steps out of her sisters' shadow.
Coming to BBC One at a later date, the series will be primarily written by Sarah Quintrell (The Power), while Maddie Dai (We Were Dangerous) will pen one of the 10 episodes.
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Bruccoleri, known for playing Sister Frances in Call the Midwife, takes on the role of Mary. Celebrating the announcement, the star shared that she's always "related more" to the middle Bennet sister than protagonist Lizzy.
"As someone who has always related more to Mary than Lizzy – something that was confirmed even more by reading Janice Hadlow's brilliant novel – I feel incredibly lucky to be spending these next few months exploring her world in depth, as envisioned by these incredible women," she said in a statement.
"Sarah Quintrell's scripts are packed full of beautiful idiosyncratic detail, empathy, humour and such warmth... revealing that beneath Mary's awkwardness and formality, lies a woman longing for purpose and connection."
As for Quintrell, the writer said: "I feel incredibly lucky to have Ella Bruccoleri on board as Mary Bennet. She brings the perfect balance of heart, sensitivity and humour to the role. I can't wait for audiences to see her take centre stage and shine!"
Author Janice Hadlow joined in praising Bruccoleri, saying: "I'm absolutely delighted that Ella will be playing Mary Bennet. I know she'll be the Mary I've always imagined - awkward, stiff, always saying the wrong thing – but also vulnerable, lonely and desperate to find love.
"I'm sure she'll make audiences feel her plight as deeply as I do, and think she'll make the perfect Other Bennet Sister."
Much like in the novel, the series is set to take Mary away from Meryton and into the soirees of Regency London, with a detour to the Lake District.
"Ella Bruccoleri is the perfect choice to lead The Other Bennet Sister," executive producer Jane Tranter said.
"Mary's journey takes her from overlooked to unforgettable, and I am positive that Ella will capture every shade of that transformation with wit, grace, and emotional depth. We are thrilled to have her at the heart of this story."
Bruccoleri's other acting credits include Bridgerton, Mark Gatiss's Bookish, Extraordinary, murder mystery Ludwig and Paddington threequel, Paddington in Peru.
The Other Bennet Sister will be on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, and in the US and Canada it will be on BritBox.
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