{"id":342633,"date":"2026-03-16T20:55:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/342633\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T20:55:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:55:19","slug":"ruth-jones-lovely-and-radical-bbc-period-drama-lands-first-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/342633\/","title":{"rendered":"Ruth Jones&#8217; &#8220;lovely&#8221; and &#8220;radical&#8221; BBC period drama lands first reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The Other Bennet Sister, an adaptation of Janice Hadlow&#8217;s 2020 novel which itself is based on characters from Jane Austen&#8217;s Pride and Prejudice, aired its first two episodes on BBC One last night.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Starring Gavin &amp; Stacey&#8217;s Ruth Jones, Saltburn&#8217;s Richard E Grant, Call the Midwife&#8217;s Ella Bruccoleri, and Game of Thrones&#8217; Indira Varma, the show follows Mary Bennet as she tries to step up from under the shadow of Elizabeth and the rest of the clan.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Now that the first two episodes (out of 10) have aired, and another three are available on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episodes\/m002qkp1\/the-other-bennet-sister\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episodes\/m002qkp1\/the-other-bennet-sister\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"iPlayer\" data-node-id=\"13.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">iPlayer<\/a>, critic reviews have started to appear online, and thankfully it&#8217;s a solid addition to Austen&#8217;s legacy.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"maddie close, poppy gilbert, ella bruccoleri, molly wright, grace hoggrobinson, the other bennet sister\" title=\"Maddie Close, Poppy Gilbert, Ella Bruccoleri, Molly Wright, Grace Hogg-Robinson, The Other Bennet Sister\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"5120\" height=\"3414\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/maddie-close-poppy-gilbert-ella-bruccoleri-molly-wright-grace-hogg-robinson-the-other-bennet-sister-.jpeg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"18.2\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;The growing charm and heft \u2013 not to mention the lovely central performance from Bruccoleri \u2013 make it one worth sticking with,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tv-and-radio\/2026\/mar\/15\/the-other-bennet-sister-review-bbc-one-iplayer\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tv-and-radio\/2026\/mar\/15\/the-other-bennet-sister-review-bbc-one-iplayer\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Guardian\" data-node-id=\"22.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Guardian<\/a> wrote.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/03\/15\/bbcs-radical-pride-prejudice-retelling-late-in-life-single-girlies-27366431\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/03\/15\/bbcs-radical-pride-prejudice-retelling-late-in-life-single-girlies-27366431\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Metro\" data-node-id=\"26.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Metro<\/a> called the show a &#8220;radical retelling&#8221; that &#8220;tears up the manual and runs riot in the world Austen has created to take the scant parts we&#8217;re told about Mary to paint a much bigger picture \u2013 and give her a moment in the sun&#8221;, although it notes that Austin purists might struggle at first to get on board.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/arts-entertainment\/tv\/reviews\/other-bennet-sister-review-mary-jane-austen-cast-b2939154.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/arts-entertainment\/tv\/reviews\/other-bennet-sister-review-mary-jane-austen-cast-b2939154.html\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"The Independent\" data-node-id=\"31.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Independent<\/a> praised the show itself for not being a super-sexual period drama like Bridgerton and the new Wuthering Heights movie and instead focusing on a &#8220;delightfully awkward&#8221; protagonist.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">It also stated that Jones &#8220;perfectly portrayed&#8221; the prickly Mrs Bennet.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"richard e grant, ruth jones, the other bennet sister\" title=\"Richard E Grant, Ruth Jones, The Other Bennet Sister\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"5120\" height=\"3413\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1767017893_607_richard-e-grant-ruth-jones-the-other-bennet-sister-693c3fac23d32.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1g79fud0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"40\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70735724\/what-to-watch-this-week-16-march-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70735724\/what-to-watch-this-week-16-march-2026\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"A psychological thriller packed with &quot;love and betrayal&quot;: 5 gripping shows on BBC and more this week\" data-node-id=\"40.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">A psychological thriller packed with &#8220;love and betrayal&#8221;: 5 gripping shows on BBC and more this week<\/a> <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Fans seem to like it too, going by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/PeriodDramas\/comments\/1rur1cl\/the_other_bennet_sister_what_are_the_thoughts\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/PeriodDramas\/comments\/1rur1cl\/the_other_bennet_sister_what_are_the_thoughts\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Reddit\" data-node-id=\"44.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Reddit<\/a> thread of viewers discussing the show so far.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">&#8220;I love everything about it &#8211; the casting, the production design, the score, the subtle and evocative storytelling,&#8221; wrote one fan.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">Another said: &#8220;I love the casting and the attention to to detail in the sets and costumes is everything after lots of shows not paying much attention to historical accuracy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"56\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The main complaint from fans was that the UK has to wait two weeks for the final five episodes, while the US has to wait until May for the show.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"60\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The Other Bennet sister airs on BBC One and streams on iPlayer in the UK.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"65\" class=\"css-18ljdn6 emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Harry Styles, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsharrystyles\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsharrystyles\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"65.0.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773694519_730_6bf117e6-90c2-44bc-a2bb-92355b4636ba_1550228669.file.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Joe Anderton\" title=\"Headshot of Joe Anderton\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he&#8217;s covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TV<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">movies<\/a> both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I&#8217;m a Fish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Other Bennet Sister, an adaptation of Janice Hadlow&#8217;s 2020 novel which itself is based on characters from&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":342634,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[137241,635,167555,637,146,85,46,636,167554,411],"class_list":["post-342633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-d60b672c-5a2d-4076-b241-8127c40c8a19","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-ruth-jones-radical-bbc-period-drama-lands-first-reviews","tag-tv"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342633","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342633"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342633\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/342634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}