Gavin And Stacey's Ruth Jones and Richard E Grant to star in new BBC drama
Gavin And Stacey star Ruth Jones and Withnail And I's Richard E Grant are to star in a new BBC drama inspired by Jane Austen.
The Other Bennet Sister, which is an adaption of the novel of the same name by Janice Hadlow, will also star Laurie Davidson, Donal Finn, Indira Varma, and Richard Coyle, when it airs on BBC One and iPlayer next year.
The show, which promises to introduce new characters to the world of Pride And Prejudice, will star Grant and Jones as Mr and Mrs Bennet, Varma and Coyle as Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Davidson and Finn as Mr Ryder and Mr Hayward respectively.
They will star alongside Call The Midwife's Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, with filming already under way in Wales.
The Other Bennet Sister will see the Gardiners take Mary under their wing as governess to their three children – Marianne (Roisin Bhalla), George (Reggie Absolom), and Rebecca (Jasmine Sharp) – introducing her to an exciting new social world in 10 half-hour episodes.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said of the show: 'It's a joy to see cameras rolling on our vibrant, witty and clever new take on Jane Austen's beloved world.
'With a pitch perfect cast led by Ella, Ruth and Richard, The Other Bennet Sister will be an irresistible treat for viewers when it launches on the BBC next year.'
Sarah Quintrell will write nine of the series' 10 episodes, while Maddie Dai will write one episode.
Jane Tranter, who will executive produce the show for Bad Wolf, added: 'We have been working behind the scenes on The Other Bennet Sister for many years now, and Janice's brilliantly observed characters have lived and grown in our imaginations throughout that time as Sarah has been working on the scripts.
'So, our actors had a lot to live up to – and I can honestly say that this is the ensemble cast of our dreams.
'Each one brings something new and exciting to the world of Austen, and all of us at Bad Wolf are delighted to be making a drama that brings such joy.'
An exact release date for The Other Bennet Sister is yet to be announced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
King and Queen welcome Peter Phillips' girlfriend to Royal Ascot
The King and Queen enjoyed a day at the races as they welcomed the girlfriend of the Princess Royal's son to the royal fold. Charles and Camilla hosted guests in the royal box on the first day of Royal Ascot including the King's nephew Peter Phillips and his partner, NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. She made an appearance for the first time in the carriage procession the royal family make onto the famous Berkshire racecourse to signal the start of the day. The royal procession is celebrating its 200th anniversary, a tradition begun during the reign of George IV in 1825 when the monarch was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. The King and Queen rode in the first carriage with Prince Faisal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and Lady Sarah Keswick, one of the Queen's official companions. Behind them travelled the Princess Royal with Camilla's sister Annabel Elliot and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington and they were followed by a coach carrying Anne's son Peter Phillips and his girlfriend. Other royals spotted among the crowds included Princess Beatrice and her mother Sarah, Duchess of York and Zara and Mike Tindall. The head of state and his wife have continued Queen Elizabeth II's close association with the Berkshire race meet but they had no luck with the sport of Kings when their horse Reaching High was well beaten in the Ascot Stakes. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V states.
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Celeb SAS in huge shake-up for new star-studded series as bosses blow the budget
CELEBRITY SAS: Who Dares Wins is set for a major shake-up in its star-studded next series - as bosses blow the budget. The hit Channel 4 show - which launched in 2015 - puts a group of ordinary people through a tough quasi military training course. 3 3 3 Although the civilian version ended in 2023, the celebrity iteration has continued on. The Sun can reveal a shake-up will see the next series take place in a new location. A show insider said: 'Last series, there was a bit of a cash crisis at Channel 4 so the series shunned exotic locales and filmed in Wales. !Bosses made it work but it felt like it wasn't on as big a scale as when they have filmed in foreign climes, so for the next series, execs are blowing the budget and pushing the boat out to film in Marrakech instead. "It's more expensive but will look amazing on camera.' The Sun has contacted a rep for comment. Earlier this year, The Sun revealed how Celebrity SAS had been saved from the axe - after bosses had considered quietly ending the series. But after seeing footage of the upcoming series, execs couldn't let it go. A TV insider revealed: 'Channel 4 never officially announced that Celebrity SAS had been dropped, but behind closed doors, they had decided not to bring it back — at least for the time being. 'It's an expensive show to make, as far as reality shows go, and budgets have been tightened.' Celeb SAS Who Dares Wins winners revealed The most recent series was completed by Love Island star Georgia Harrison and boxer Lani Daniels. It also featured reality star Pete Wicks - while airing concurrently with his stin t in Strictly Come Dancing. The source added: 'They filmed a series in 2024, which will air later in 2025, and that was quietly considered to be the last one they would make. 'However, it's a beloved franchise and they have had a last-minute change of heart after doing the edit for the unaired series that's in the can.' However, the show's future was put back on track with the next course to be filmed later this year and air in 2026. Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins winners Many celebrities have attempted the infamous Channel 4 quasi military training course - but only a select few have successfully passed. Series 2 (2020) - Locksmith and Lauren Steadman Series 3 (2021) - Alexandra Burke, Aled Davies and Wes Nelson Series 4 (2022) - AJ Pritchard, Calum Best, Ferne McCann and Maisie Smith Series 5 (2023) - Gareth Gates The hit series originally featured Ant Middleton as Head Instructor from 2015 to 2021. Since his departure, Mark "Billy" Billingham has taken over that position. Other Directing Staff (DS) includes Jason "Foxy" Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.
Wales Online
38 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Ruth Jones joins Saltburn and Game of Thrones stars in new BBC series
Ruth Jones joins Saltburn and Game of Thrones stars in new BBC series The BBC confirmed the new series is being produced by Welsh production company Bad Wolf and is also being shot in Wales Ruth Jones will star as Mrs Bennet in the series adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister (Image: Kate Green, Getty Images ) Gavin & Stacey star and co-creator Ruth Jones is starring in a brand new BBC series alongside Saltburn star Richard E. Grant and Game of Thrones actress Indira Varma. The BBC confirmed that the stellar cast would be starring in new TV drama The Other Bennet Sister, which is an adaptation of Janice Hadlow's novel. The new show is being produced by Welsh production company Bad Wolf and is also being shot in Wales. On Tuesday, June 17, the BBC confirmed that filming had commenced in Wales on the 10-part series. They also confirmed that Ruth Jones and Richard E. Grant would be starring as Mr and Mrs Bennet while Indira Varma and Heads of State star Richard Coyle would play Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mary's worldly aunt and uncle. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter. Also starring in the series are Laurie Davidson, who recently starred in ITV's A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, and Dónal Finn, who will star as Mr Ryder and Mr Hayward respectively. Article continues below Previously it was announced that Ella Bruccoleri, who has starred in BBC's Call the Midwife and Netflix's popular period drama Bridgerton, would play Mary Bennet. Jane Austen fans will be glad to know the series will also introduce the rest of the Bennet sisters – Jane, Lizzie, Kitty, and Lydia – as well as other notable Austen characters from the Pride and Prejudice world Caroline Bingley and Mr Collins. Content cannot be displayed without consent The synopsis of the series reads: "The Gardiners take Mary under their wing as governess to their three children – Marianne (Roisin Bhalla), George (Reggie Absolom), and Rebecca (Jasmine Sharp) – introducing her to an exciting new social world that includes Mr Hayward, Mr Ryder, and Ann Baxter. "This adaptation explores and expands the world of Pride and Prejudice through the often-overlooked perspective of Mary Bennet." The director of BBC Drama, Lindsay Salt, confirmed the series would be aired in 2026 and available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK. Article continues below
