BBC confirms "captivating" follow-up to near-perfect hit period drama

BBC period drama The Other Bennet Sister had viewers glued to their screens, becoming the biggest launch for a new drama in the UK since May last year across all platforms and streamers.

After confirming a Christmas special, the broadcaster has now confirmed the commission of a ten-part series titled The Other Elliot Sister, which will follow the life of the eldest sister of Jane Austen's classic novel Persuasion.

The series will begin production next year by Bad Wolf and BritBox North America.

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Persuasion was the final novel by the iconic author and was published just six months after her death in 1817. The new series will focus heavily on Elizabeth, who moves to Bath with her family, as they hope to claw their way out of financial difficulty by renting out the family estate.

Jane Tranter, CEO Bad Wolf, said: "Elizabeth Elliot is an intriguing figure at the edges of Persuasion - someone we know just enough about to wonder what might be going on beneath the surface...

"We’re delighted to be returning to the world of Jane Austen with the BBC and BritBox, and to bring another overlooked character to the centre of her own story."

Meanwhile, Lindsay Salt, who is the Director of BBC Drama, said: "We’re thrilled to be returning to Jane Austen’s world once more with The Other Elliot Sister. The audience instantly fell in love with Mary Bennet and we’re sure they will do the same with Elizabeth Elliot. It promises to be yet another captivating, heartfelt adaptation from Sarah Quintrell."

The Other Bennet Sister achieved such a huge fan base that the broadcaster commissioned a Christmas special, which will build on the story of Mary (played by Ella Bruccoleri), who viewers will remember married Tom Hayward (played by Dónal Finn).

But it looks as though Mary may be caught in a quandry as she decides on whether or not to take on a new identity as Mrs Hayward.

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Just as she embarks on married life, a visitor from her past comes knocking at her door asking for help.

The period drama was the most successful across all platforms and streamers in the UK since 2025, garnering 6.5 million viewers in its first 28 days. Those numbers grew as episode one has now jumped to 9.5 million.

The Other Elliot Sister will air exclusively in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One and on BritBox in the US and Canada. Sony Pictures Television will distribute The Other Elliot Sister internationally.

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