If ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Has You Hooked, Check Out These Must-Watch Period Dramas

The BBC has achieved something truly remarkable with ‘The Other Bennet Sister’, a series that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. This ten-part adaptation by Sarah Quintrell, based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, focuses on Mary Bennet, the often-overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. The show has become a ratings success, with its premiere episode attracting a consolidated 7.3 million viewers.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes have described it as “cozy, charming, and full of heart”, highlighting Ella Bruccoleri’s delightful performance and the series’ innovative take on Austen’s beloved world. For those now in a post-series daze, there is a treasure trove of period dramas waiting to fill that void.

One standout Austen-adjacent drama currently available is ‘Sanditon’, which boasts an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has drawn passionate comparisons to ‘Bridgerton’. Based on Austen’s final, unfinished manuscript, it follows Charlotte Heywood as she arrives in a coastal town brimming with ambition, secrets, and slow-burning romance.

While ‘Bridgerton’ leans heavily into spectacle and modern sensibilities, ‘Sanditon’ takes a more measured, character-driven approach, delving into social ambition and the intricate etiquette of early 19th-century life with wit and period-accurate detail. For those who appreciated Mary Bennet’s quiet determination, Charlotte Heywood’s outsider perspective in ‘Sanditon’ will feel like a natural next step.

The BBC’s 1995 adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, featuring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic Jane Austen dramas ever made. It is currently streaming on BritBox, Hulu, and various other platforms. Since ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ reexamines the events of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ through Mary’s perspective in its initial episodes, revisiting this classic with fresh context offers a uniquely rewarding experience.

Among the top recommendations for fans of ‘The Other Bennet Sister’, ‘Bridgerton’ remains a prominent choice, showcasing wealth, desire, and Regency-era drama through the lens of the powerful Bridgerton family. Although it leans more towards glamour and escapism than ‘The Other Bennet Sister’, the emotional core of women navigating a society with limited choices is very much present.

Reviewers have pointed out that while ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ is “far less glossy or steamy” than ‘Bridgerton’, it serves as the “perfect tonic” for those craving more Regency-era drama after the latest season of that show. The two series complement each other remarkably well, existing at opposite ends of the same spectrum in a way that enhances the viewing experience of both.

For those seeking a darker narrative alongside romance, ‘The Forsytes’, which aired in late 2025 and is now reaching North American audiences, presents a Victorian family dynasty filled with intergenerational conflict, ambition, and strong women challenging societal limits. This series appears refined on the surface but rewards viewers with real dramatic depth beneath.

‘Miss Austen’, featuring Keeley Hawes, has been generating buzz among fans looking for shows that resonate with ‘The Other Bennet Sister’. Many viewers consider it a natural companion piece to Mary Bennet’s story, focusing on Austen herself and exploring her life and relationships with the warmth and literary affection characteristic of the best BBC costume dramas.

Period drama enthusiasts on social media have also been rallying around ‘Poldark’, ‘Grantchester’, and ‘North and South’ as essential recommendations for anyone feeling a void after finishing ‘The Other Bennet Sister’. ‘North and South’, in particular, is often seen as a gateway drama for Austen fans eager to explore beyond the Regency era while retaining that specific emotional quality of romance intertwined with class and social constraints.

Also available on BBC iPlayer, the adaptation of ‘Sense and Sensibility’ starring Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood follows sisters navigating love, loss, and financial insecurity after being forced to leave their family home. This adaptation has achieved an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The dynamic between sisters forging their own paths in a world that underestimates them is central to why this series resonates so deeply with fans of Mary’s journey.

The Austen renaissance is thriving with a new adaptation of ‘Sense and Sensibility’ featuring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as the Dashwood sisters. This production promises to refresh the story for modern audiences while preserving the emotional stakes of the original. With Jones coming off a series of critically acclaimed performances, this adaptation has the potential to become the next must-watch event drama for period romance fans.

Currently, the cultural landscape is exceptionally rich for Austen enthusiasts, with ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ alongside a Netflix adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and a Daisy Edgar-Jones-led ‘Sense and Sensibility’ film among the many projects set to hit screens this year. It truly is one of the best times in recent memory to be a fan of this genre.

The series also arrives at a particularly significant cultural moment, with BritBox presenting it as a way for Jane Austen fans to celebrate the author’s 250th anniversary. Whether you approached ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ as a lifelong Austen devotee or a newcomer to the Regency era, the show has undoubtedly opened the door to a world of equally captivating stories. Which series are you planning to explore next after finishing Mary’s journey?