Elizabeth is the witty one, Jane is the pretty one, Lydia is the problem child, Kitty is hanging onto the latter’s coattails, and Mary is… somewhere in the background.

Well, that’s what Austen’s 1813 novel would have you believe, but Janice Hadlow’s 2020 spin-off novel shows a different side to Mary Bennet. With Mary now acting as the protagonist, her world is explored separately from all the Mr Darcy and Bingley drama, and out of the shadow of her socialite sisters, Elizabeth and Jane.

The events of The Other Bennet Sister begin in tandem with Pride and Prejudice, before spiralling out towards her later years.

Alison Steadman is passing on the baton to Ruth Jones, who is carrying on the great tradition of Gavin & Stacey stars playing Mrs Bennet, whilst Richard E. Grant (Saltburn) has signed onto play her counterpart, Mr Bennet.

As previously announced, Ella Bruccoleri, used to playing the pious type as Sister Frances in Call the Midwife, will be heading up the cast as Mary.

Mary’s sisters Jane, Lizzie, Kitty and Lydia will be played by Maddie Close (Sunflower Child), Poppy Gilbert (Chloe), Molly Wright (The A Word) and Grace Hogg-Robinson (The Coroner) respectively.

Other characters brought over from Austen’s original masterpiece, include Caroline Bingley (Tanya Reynolds, Sex Education), Charlotte Lucas (Anna Fenton-Garvey, The Nevers) and creepy cousin Mr Collins (Ryan Sampson, Mr Bigstuff).

Mary’s aunt and uncle Mr and Mrs Gardiner will be played by Indira Varma (The Night Manager) and Richard Coyle (Coupling). The couple employ Mary as their governess, where she takes care of their children, Marianne (Roisin Bhalla), George (Reggie Absolom), and Rebecca (Jasmine Sharp).

This post introduces her to Hadlow’s original characters Ann Baxter (Varada Sethu, Doctor Who), John Sparrow (Aaron Gill, Piglets), Mr Ryder (Laurie Davidson, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story) and Mr Hayward (Dónal Finn, The Wheel of Time).

Jane Tranter, executive producer, says: “We have been working behind the scenes on The Other Bennet Sister for many years now, and Janice’s brilliantly observed characters have lived and grown in our imaginations throughout that time as Sarah [Quintrell] has been working on the scripts.

“So, our actors had a lot to live up to - and I can honestly say that this is the ensemble cast of our dreams. Each one brings something new and exciting to the world of Austen. And all of us at Bad Wolf are delighted to be making a drama that brings such joy”

The Other Bennet Sister has begun filming and will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with no release date set.