Okay so, I love Austen. I love all historical romances. So honestly, I kind of knew going in that I was going to love The Other Bennet Sister — and I was right. It did not disappoint.
First of all, can we just appreciate that classic Regency romance is back on our screens? Because it is, and it’s great. And here’s the thing — there’s no violence, no sex, and honestly? It didn’t need any of it. The story is better for it. Sometimes restraint is the right call, and this show absolutely proves that.
Seeing the Story from the Other Side
One of my favorite things about the show is getting to see Elizabeth and Darcy’s whole romance play out… but as background characters. Like, we know their story, we love their story, but here they’re not the main event. And it’s such a fun perspective to watch from!
It really drives home this idea that when you’re in the middle of your own love story it feels like the whole world — but for everyone around you, life is just… carrying on. They don’t really care. I thought that was such a clever and kind of funny observation about romance in general.
The Charlotte Thing Finally Makes Sense
This was a smaller moment but it really stuck with me. Charlotte accepting Mr. Collins’s proposal has always felt a bit out of nowhere in the original book — and this show actually takes the time to show you why it happened, what was going on behind the scenes that Elizabeth (and we, the reader) never saw.
And it reframes Elizabeth’s reaction as a product of her own pride and her own limited worldview at that point in the story. It’s not a huge plot point but I love when a spinoff or sequel actually adds something to the original rather than just ignoring it or contradicting it. This did that beautifully.
Ella as Mary: Absolutely Incredible
I need to talk about Ella Bruccoleri as Mary because WOW. What a talented actress — if you’ve seen her in Call the Midwife, you already know, but she is just phenomenal here. Mary Bennet has always been the overlooked sister and it’s so lovely to finally see her get her own full story told with real warmth and depth. Ella just nails it completely.
The Gardiners (Always a Win)
The Gardiners are great as always. No notes. They’re just great.
Look, I Don’t Need Gritty
I know some people feel like a show has to be dark or rooted in difficult reality to be good, and that’s fine, but it’s just not what I’m looking for. There is some real pain in this show — Mrs. Bennet is genuinely awful to her, but overall the vibe is cheerful and sunny, and I loved that. In a good show, all the good people love the heroine, and she ends up happily ever after. That’s what I want, and that’s exactly what this delivers.
The Verdict
This rates very high on the swoon-meter and is a total must-watch. I’m already so excited for the newly announced Christmas special — I cannot wait to see more. You can watch it now on BritBox.
Go watch it!