If you’ve been watching the BBC adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister, you’ll know it’s become a big hit. It’s based on the novel by Janice Hadlow.
It drew in an impressive audience of 7.3 million viewers for its very first episode. It’s safe to say the series is now liked by devoted Austen fans.
I absolutely fell in love with it. I was especially drawn to the way this adaptation shifts the spotlight onto Mary Bennet. She is the sister we’ve historically known the least about, yet holds huge potential.
You would be completely entertained by every episode, particularly the romance element. There’s a quiet, aching sense of yearning woven throughout, handled with a subtlety that feels both authentic and deeply affecting. At the same time, the show explores the emotional struggles of someone long overlooked. It gives Mary a voice that feels fresh and long overdue.
That said, while the series is undeniably compelling, it isn’t without its flaws. There are moments where the pacing falters or certain storylines don’t land quite as strongly as they could. Still, these are minor setbacks in what is otherwise a richly entertaining and worthwhile watch.
Now that the series has come to an end—and we’re all left missing it—I’ve put together a list of twelve of the best period dramas to fill the void. If you’re not quite ready to leave the world of corsets, courtship, and complex heroines behind, there’s plenty more to discover.
What you need to know about The Other Bennet Sister:
- Genre: Period drama, romance
Stars: Ella Bruccoleri, Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Dónal Finn
Director: Jennifer Sheridan, Asim Abbasi
Air date: 15 March 2026 (UK premiere)
Where to watch: UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer (free streaming)
US & Canada: BritBox (from 6 May 2026)
Australia: Binge (from March 2026)
What Is The Other Bennet Sister About?
In The Other Bennet Sister, we follow the life of one of the five Bennet sisters, Mary.
Mary Bennet always has her head in her books and suffers from terrible low self-esteem. She believes she isn’t as beautiful or as worthy of attention as her other sisters, Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, and Kitty.
But after her sisters all marry, she is forced to choose her own path in life. Nothing comes easy for her due to society’s expectations of women, and Mary must follow her own heart. She meets new friends on her journey of self-discovery, explores new places, and finds somewhere she believes she can finally call home.
The Other Bennet Sister is a touching tale of relationships, family, and learning to love yourself despite what you were taught growing up, as well as conquering the battles within. It’s also a story of romance and quiet gestures that can often be the most powerful.
Pride and Prejudice
Obviously, you can’t create a list of shows similar to The Other Bennet Sister without mentioning Pride and Prejudice—after all, it’s the very story that inspired it. This classic follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates love, society, and her complicated first impressions of the seemingly stern and difficult-to-read Mr. Darcy.
Both the 1995 series and the 2005 film have been favourites of mine for as long as I can remember, and each offers a faithful and memorable adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel.
Sanditon
This is yet another story inspired by Jane Austen. I really appreciated how the series embraces strong female leads while exploring the social class and relationships. It follows Charlotte Heywood, who—much like Mary Bennet—finds herself in a new environment and must learn to adapt. The show also features a compelling enemies-to-lovers storyline. Starring Theo James, the series first aired in 2019 and concluded in 2023.
Belgravia
Belgravia may have only run for one season, but it remains well regarded by viewers. It is similar in tone to The Other Bennet Sister and is based on the novel of the same name by Julian Fellowes. The series follows a high-society drama set in 19th-century London, exploring themes of secrets, ambition, and class within the upper echelons of society.
The cast includes Tamsin Greig, Philip Glenister, Harriet Walter, and Alice Eve, who bring depth and nuance to the story’s complex characters.
Victoria
The series chronicles the life of Queen Victoria, spanning the early years of her reign with a compelling mix of romance and court politics that makes for an engaging and entertaining watch. It follows Victoria’s formative years on the throne, exploring both her personal and public life, including her deep and evolving relationship with her husband, Albert. Alongside this, the show highlights her growing political responsibilities and challenges during the 1830s through to the 1850s. With strong performances, particularly from Jenna Coleman in the title role, the series brings history to life in a way that feels both intimate and dramatic, making it well worth watching.
Downton Abbey
Spanning six seasons and three films, Downton Abbey follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants as they navigate life in early 20th-century Britain. Beginning with the fallout of the Sinking of the Titanic, the story unfolds through major events like World War I, showing how both the upper class and their staff adapt to a changing social order.
What makes it such a strong period drama is its mix of intimate character stories and wider historical change, all brought to life through detailed costumes and settings. The cast is central to its appeal: Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern lead as Lord and Lady Grantham, while Maggie Smith steals scenes as the sharp-witted Dowager Countess. Alongside them, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, and Jessica Brown Findlay bring depth to the next generation.
Blending romance, class tension, and historical change, it remains one of the most accessible and enduring period dramas.
North & South
A true BBC classic starring none other than Richard Armitage. This engaging little series follows Margaret Hale, a southerner adjusting to life in the industrial north of England. In the town of Milton, she encounters a host of compelling characters while navigating the stark realities of class and gender divisions. As her sympathy for the mill workers deepens, so too does her growing fascination with the formidable—and undeniably handsome—John Thornton (Armitage).
Emma
This adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma was released by the BBC in 2009. The series is presented in four episodes, each following the life and social world of Emma Woodhouse, a confident and well-meaning young woman. Set in the fictional town of Highbury, the story explores themes of class, relationships, and personal growth as Emma involves herself in the romantic affairs of those around her—often with unexpected consequences.
The Gilded Age
The Gilded Age is a historical drama series created by Julian Fellowes, which first premiered in 2022. Set in late 19th-century New York during a period of rapid economic growth and social change, the series follows Marian Brook, a young woman navigating the rigid hierarchies of high society. The story explores the clash between old-money families and newly wealthy industrialists, highlighting themes of ambition, tradition, and social ambition as characters strive to secure their place in a changing world.
Call the Midwife
Call the Midwife is one of those shows you can easily become completely immersed in. It’s both deeply entertaining and quietly educational—not in a heavy or demanding way, but through its thoughtful portrayal of real-life health issues in the 1950s.
The BBC drama follows a group of nurses and midwives living and working in London’s East End, offering a compassionate look at the challenges faced by their community. It doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, covering issues such as stillbirth, disability, and abortion, among many others, all handled with sensitivity and care.
Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack is set in Regency-era Yorkshire and follows the remarkable life of Anne Lister. This pioneering drama explores her determined and unapologetic pursuit of love with Ann Walker, offering a rare and powerful portrayal of a same-sex relationship in a historical context. Blending sharp humour with a spirit of defiance, the series captures Lister’s refusal to conform to the restrictive expectations placed on women of her time. Like many women who questioned the roles imposed upon them, she challenges the life she is supposed to lead, forging her own path instead. Both uplifting and authentic to its era, Gentleman Jack is a bold celebration of individuality and resilience.
Bridgerton
Nothing quite says “entertaining period drama” like Bridgerton. The series has been widely praised for its stunning costumes, sharp dialogue, and the undeniable chemistry between its characters.
Each season follows a different romance within the Bridgerton family. The first centres on the Duke of Hastings and Daphne Bridgerton, while the second shifts focus to her older brother Anthony and his relationship with Kate Sharma. The third season explores the long-awaited story of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Finally, we have Benedict and Sophie—a tale that begins with a chance encounter at a ball and blossoms into an unexpected love story.
Little Dorrit
This adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Little Dorrit was produced by the BBC and released in 2008. The series is told across multiple episodes, following the life of Amy Dorrit, a kind and selfless young woman who grows up in the shadow of her father’s imprisonment for debt. Set in Victorian London, the story explores themes of poverty, social injustice, and the rigid class system, while also examining the resilience and quiet strength of its central character as she navigates hardship and hope.
