The Other Bennet Sister (2026) s01e01 Episode Script

It is a sad fact of life
that if a young woman
is unlucky enough
to come into the world
without expectations,
she had better do all she can
to ensure that she is beautiful.
To be poor and handsome
is misfortune enough.
But to be penniless and plain
is a hard fate indeed.
Or so my mother taught us.
Mr. Bennet.
Have you heard?
Netherfield Park is let at last.
I have not.
Do you want to know
who has taken it?
You want to tell me
and I have no objection to hearing it.
I would like to know.
It has been let to a Mr. Bingley.
A single man,
of large fortune.
Four or five thousand a year.
I heard someone came down
on Monday in a chaise and four.
- From whom did you hear this?
You must prepare yourselves.
Mrs. Long told me
he is from the north of England.
He saw Netherfield Park,
fell in love with it
and snapped it up straightaway.
In order to understand my mother's
enthusiasm for this stranger's arrival,
we must start at the beginning.
With cake!
where wealthy boy
met beautiful girl.
Sadly, the happiness of this union
was to be undone
by an archaic entail
that meant only a male heir
could inherit my father's estate.
And what followed was girl,
- Forceps.
Thus, his fortune,
Mother spent her days
trying to involve father
in how to overcome
their dire situation.
But Father hid in his newspaper,
indifferent to the cause.
Why should he engage?
I'll be dead anyway.
Our mother,
not known for giving up easily,
found a chink of light,
a saving grace.
Each of her children possessed
a certain je ne sais quoi.
or Lydia's spirit.
Oh, Mary!
If she could secure advantageous
marriages for each of us girls,
it would be enough to save us all
from destitution.
Although I had not found
I was quite sure
that I would.
Blindfold, Mary.
Until the day my mother's true
opinion of me was confirmed.
Mary has
an awfully ruddy complexion.
She does not have the complexion
of her sisters, that is true.
And she is clumsy.
Ungainly.
Maladroit, as they say.
Four good marriages
will have to do.
I only hope she does not ruin
her sisters' chances.
If you're not the beautiful one,
or the ones that are good at games
and full of youthful energy,
then who are you?
And what can you do
if you're the odd one out?
Is it possible you'll ever find a way
to fit in?
Worse, I think.
Worse still.
Do not fret, Miss Bennet.
Have we found it?
- I think we have, Mr. Sparrow.
- Oh, thank goodness for that!
You see, the lenses here correct
your vision by bending light rays.
Well, I never.
You really do look very well
in your spectacles.
Especially when you smile.
I do not think my mother will agree.
But I have a great passion for reading,
I hope they will help you better enjoy
the upcoming Meryton assembly.
- An assembly?
- Yes.
In a month.
I heard this morning.
My sisters will be pleased.
Perhaps I shall see you there.
Miss Mary, you ought to get on.
- Oh, of course, Hill, of course.
- I'll settle affairs here.
Thank you, thank you.
And thank you, Mr. Sparrow.
I have news!
There's going to be an assembly
in Meryton in a month.
We know.
I'm going to be the one to tell Mama.
This will mark
my first assembly.
My first venture into society.
So it will.
How might I secure
a partner for dancing,
I've always wondered.
Oh, Mary,
I'm sure your clever mind
can work out something
as simple as dance partners.
Do not fret.
- We'll have fun, Lizzy.
- Will we?
I'm going to fill my card with dances.
Jane, do you think
I shall be allowed to dance?
Mary! Move!
I do hope you're not going to
stand this close at the assembly.
Oh, we should have taken
the long route.
These are my good boots.
Well, more fool you
for wearing them.
- Dang!
- What are we going to wear?
- I want to wear the green dress.
- The green.
Do you think russet would be
too harsh for my complexion?
I don't see why it should.
It would match my eyes,
I suppose.
Your eyes are green.
You are so inattentive.
Mr. Thompson told me himself.
I was the first to know that
the ball is confirmed.
- We were the first.
- I was the first.
You were stood
a little behind me.
It is wonderful.
What will I wear?
Are Kitty and Lydia
allowed to attend, Father?
Why would we not be?
I was the one that found out about it.
Am I allowed?
Jane, Lizzy,
you'll of course go. And Mary.
Father! I shall die
if I do not go.
- I'll probably die too.
- I very much doubt that.
Mr. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia
will also need to find husbands.
After Jane and Lizzy, of course.
I don't see what the fuss is all about.
Those horrible, sweaty affairs.
Mary, you will attend.
Oh, well, of course, Mother,
Lady Lucas and I will need
someone to fetch us our drinks.
- As long as I am not expected to attend.
- Mr. Bennet.
I told you, I will not attend another of
those insufferable, muddy little dances.
I wonder if Mr. Bingley will be going
to the Meryton assembly.
Oh, he must be.
Who would miss it?
Me, apparently.
You'll all go to the ball
as long as I'm obliged to hear
no more about it.
I shall never be
rid of you otherwise.
- Perhaps I shall dance with Bingley too.
- And me.
All this excitement over a man
you've never set eyes on?
Quite ridiculous.
Oh, Mary,
we're only indulging ourselves.
Mary is wearing spectacles.
What on earth?
Very good. I hope you find them
most useful, Mary.
I do, Father. Thank you.
Mr. Bennet,
did you know about this?
We discussed this at length.
- Mary was to visit the optician.
- Yes.
But I did not know that she would
actually need to wear glasses.
You seem to forget, my dear,
that I wear spectacles myself.
But she is a woman.
Nevertheless,
she ought to be able to see.
I think they look very well.
Potatoes, Mary.
In case she couldn't see them.
I think you're very brave
to be prepared to look so ugly.
- Lydia.
- But, Papa.
Who is going to dance with Mary
with those things on her face?
Pleased to be able to read.
I do hope we are to meet him.
Surely, we must.
Spectacles indeed.
Mama, Kitty and I will need
new dresses for the ball.
BEAUTIFUL VICTIM
THE TERRIBLE FATE OF ANNIE ELM
Maybe I could help you
pick out a dress
for the Meryton assembly,
Miss Mary.
Oh, Hill.
What am I to do at a dance?
Dance?
But what if no one
wants to dance with me?
Then you'll eat lots of ices.
Such fripperies are not for me.
I wonder, Miss Mary,
if you don't see yourself clearly.
If you're saying I don't
bear comparison to my sisters,
I've known that for years.
A daffodil might look plain
next to a lily,
but on its own,
there is much to be admired.
Now I am tall and yellow?
Miss Mary, I wonder
if you wouldn't be a little happier
if you went out in the world
and saw yourself
how other people see you
outside of your family.
Well, that's decided.
I am picking you out a new dress
for the assembly.
And I will not hear another word
on the subject.
Hill!
I've lost my ribbons!
Found them!
Madam, please remain still
if you can.
Mother?
A little.
- Kitty.
- What is it?
Those are my books, Lydia.
I cannot reach
my jewellery box.
I need something to stand on.
This is important, Mary.
You need to start getting ready,
Miss Mary.
Jane is first.
That's not fair!
I'm always last.
Mary can go last.
Do you think
I'll be able to dance on it?
- Does it still hurt?
- Yes.
- It was two weeks ago.
- I know.
Should we eat beforehand?
Perhaps a very small meal
and don't drink too much.
But what if I'm thirsty?
Lydia, I don't suppose
you want to relieve yourself
behind a screen
in front of everyone.
Lizzy!
Is it too fine for me,
do you think?
You look very handsome in it.
- Kitty! You have taken my perfume.
- I have my own.
Miss Lydia,
you have plenty of perfume.
But not in that scent.
I like your dress, Mary.
Oh, Charlotte!
What a rout!
I swear, the crowd gets bigger
every season.
They should limit entry
to those young ladies
fortunate enough with
secured partners.
Yes, I thought
the very same thing.
Come on.
- Elizabeth.
- Mr. Bingley. Welcome.
These are my sisters,
Louisa, and this is Caroline.
This is Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy.
And if I may present Mrs. Bennet.
Miss Jane Bennet.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Kitty and Lydia.
And this is Miss Mary Bennet.
The most accomplished girl
in the whole neighbourhood.
That is a great achievement,
to be sure.
Study clearly trumps all other
considerations in your mind.
What an example to us all.
If I could be so bold
as to ask you for this dance.
I'd be delighted.
There she is.
Oh, Kitty.
You will not believe
the insufferable company
that Mr. Bingley keeps.
What has happened?
I overheard,
Mr. Bingley talking to that
conceited gentleman
leant against the wall there.
"She is tolerable,
but not handsome enough to tempt me."
And around we go!
Excuse me, Miss Bennet.
I do not mean to intrude,
but it is very bad for your eyes
to screw them up in such a fashion.
Mr. Sparrow.
Perhaps I may be permitted
to help you find what you're looking for?
my sisters.
Take his hand.
I'm quite exhausted
from all the dancing.
That is a shame.
I was going to ask
if you'd do me the honour
of standing up with me
for the next dance.
Actually,
I'm now feeling much rested.
And I would be delighted.
Well then, I thank you.
Oh, yes.
Yes.
Shall we remain here
until the next set is called?
Of course.
That's exactly what I thought.
Yeah.
- How are your spectacles?
- Very well.
Yes, I'm able to study
for hours without issue.
I am delighted to hear that.
It's my turn.
Perhaps you could recommend
a book to me?
What do you read
with such enjoyment?
Mrs. Catherine Macauley has written
a wonderful account of British history.
- It's a fascinating read.
- I will seek it out.
Are you a scholar, sir?
I like to read,
but science rather than history.
I have a plan
to study medicine in London.
Barts or maybe Moorfields.
What a noble ambition.
But it is not a thing
widely known.
I have not mentioned it
to anyone before you.
I shall speak of it to no one.
I'm regretting visiting
the supper table so early.
I should've had
less oyster patties.
It's "fewer".
It's "fewer oyster patties".
Here we go!
Bravo!
Would you like a cold drink,
Miss Bennet?
It is an excellent idea,
thank you.
It looks as though
you are enjoying yourself, Mary.
Your partner is the young
John Sparrow, isn't he?
Yes, the optician's son.
And you have
danced with him twice.
Mary, you are very young,
and perhaps do not fully appreciate
how things are understood.
If you are to dance with him again,
it will be remarked upon.
Two dances in succession
suggest a liking.
Three might imply something more.
I'm very happy dancing with him.
I see that you have stood up twice
with the Sparrow boy.
Yes, Mama.
You will not dance with him again.
But, Mother,
he's been most attentive.
He's quite the gentleman.
Mary, his father owns a shop.
Yes.
With a bell.
Mother, I have
danced with him twice.
I have no wish to marry him.
You may not object
to lowering yourself,
but I will not have you ruin
you sisters' chances of a match.
Would you care to dance again,
Miss Bennet,
once we have finished our ices?
Mr. Sparrow,
I shall not be able to stand up
with you again this evening.
I hope I have not offended you.
No, no, no, not at all, sir,
I've very much
enjoyed dancing with you.
My mother is concerned.
- Concerned?
- For my sisters and I.
It's important that we make
an appropriate social,
Well, a suitable match.
Miss Bennet, there is no need
for an explanation.
I shall not pursue the matter.
Good evening to you.
Jane stood up with him twice!
I had little time for his friend.
Please do not hold that against
Mr. Bingley.
- We have to go again soon.
- Yes.
- I danced with two soldiers.
- I'm not very good with faces.
so I'm not sure how many times
I stood up with anyone.
Hill!
As my mother and sisters happily
dissected every moment of the ball,
I felt a terrible sense of shame.
I had caused hurt to a man
whose only crime was being kind to me.
Who was I?
A coward who lacked the courage
to follow her own inclinations?
It was time to find my own way.
To look for a new version of myself
as a serious-minded woman.
From now on, knowledge and reason
would be my guide.
No more ribbons, ball gowns
or dance cards.
The old Mary would be no more.
I would transform
into the intellectual one.
That was how I would stand out
as the other Bennet sister.