Jane Austen fans, listen up! With less than two months to go until Christmas, the BBC has released new images of The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special.
The upcoming three-parter continues the story of Mary Bennet, the often overlooked middle sibling, in a reimagining of Jane Austen's 1913 classic, Pride and Prejudice.
© Bad Wolf / James PardonThe new photos offer a glimpse of Ella Bruccoleri and Dónal Finn, who reprise their roles as the newlywed Mary and Tom Hayward.
Returning cast including Ruth Jones (Gavin & Stacey, Runaway) as Mrs Bennet, Tanya Reynolds (Ted Lasso, Sex Education) as Caroline Bingley, and Laurie Davidson (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, The Girlfriend) as Mr Ryder can also be seen in the new images, alongside Poppy Gilbert (My Oxford Year, Chloe) as Lizzie Darcy, Maddie Close (Chasing Red) as Jane Bingley, Grace Hogg-Robinson (The Coroner) as Lydia Wickham, and Molly Wright (The A Word) as Kitty Buncock.
© Bad Wolf / James PardonThe hugely successful drama debuted in March last year, drawing over seven million viewers in its first 28 days and securing a record-breaking launch on BritBox in the US. The show also boasts an impressive 98 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, and has been hailed by viewers as a "masterpiece' – so it's safe to say the upcoming festive special will be a highlight in this year's Christmas TV schedule.
With production having recently wrapped in Wales, find out all we know about the show's return.
What to expect from The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special
The Christmas episodes follow on from the season one finale, in which Mary agreed to Tom's marriage proposal. The three-parter explores "what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins."
© Bad Wolf / James PardonThe synopsis reads: "The tenth episode of the series saw Mary agreeing to wed Tom – but with marriage comes a new identity, and the question remains: who will Mary become as Mrs Hayward? But just as Mary begins this new chapter, an unexpected visitor from her past arrives at her door in need of her help…"
© Bad Wolf / James PardonAlongside the returning cast members mentioned above, Nerys Amber Stocks (Out There, Mammoth) has joined the cast as Lucy, the Haywards' housekeeper.
Author Janice Hadlow, who wrote the 2020 novel upon which the show is based, creates storylines for the three-part special, penned by returning screenwriter Sarah Quintrell (The Power, Ellen). Asim Abbasi (Cake) has also returned to direct.
The Other Bennet Sister Christmas Special release date
The three-part special will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the UK. Audiences in the US and Canada will be able to watch the show on BritBox. A release date has yet to be announced.
© Bad Wolf / James PardonThe Other Bennet Sister season one is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.
