Common People Studio is delighted to announce that director Jennifer Sheridan has served as lead director on ‘The Other Bennet Sister’, the highly anticipated ten-part period drama now airing on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BritBox.
Produced by Cardiff-based Bad Wolf (His Dark Materials, Industry) and adapted by Sarah Quintrell from Janice Hadlow's acclaimed novel, ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ centres on Mary Bennet, the often-overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, as she strikes out from Meryton to Regency London and the Lake District in search of independence, romance, and her place in the world. The series stars Ella Bruccoleri alongside Ruth Jones and Richard E. Grant as Mr and Mrs Bennet, and Indira Varma and Richard Coyle as the Gardiners.
Jennifer Sheridan brings a distinctive and celebrated multi-genre voice to the project. Known for her BAFTA-nominated superhero comedy ‘Extraordinary’, which holds a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes across both seasons and won ‘Best Comedy’ at the Venice TV Awards, as well as ITV's award-winning ‘Malpractice’ and debut horror feature ‘Rose: A Love Story’, Sheridan is one of the most versatile directors working in British television today. Her ability to hold humour, heart, and tonal precision in the same frame made her an ideal creative force to shepherd Mary Bennet's story to screen.
The series was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, with executive producers including Jane Tranter, Kate Crowther, and Becca Kinder for Bad Wolf; Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC; and Sarah Quintrell and Janice Hadlow. ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ began airing on BBC One on 15 March 2026, with BritBox releasing it internationally from 6 May 2026. International distribution is handled by Sony Pictures Television.
Tony Roberts, Co-Founder, Common People Studio, said: "Jennifer is exactly the kind of director we built Common People Studio around — fearless, tonal, and completely in command of her craft. Seeing her lead this show, which has already captured the hearts of audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, is a real source of pride for us. This is a landmark commission and she has risen to every inch of it."
Jennifer Sheridan said: "Mary Bennet is one of literature's great underdogs, and getting to tell her story in full, with the wit, warmth, and emotion she deserves has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my career. The team at Bad Wolf and the BBC have been exceptional partners, and I'm thrilled the show has resonated so deeply with audiences."
(Photography by James Pardon)