Pakistani filmmaker Asim Abbasi has been appointed as the co-director for The Other Bennet Sister, an upcoming series from BBC and BritBox based on Janice Hadlow’s novel that reinterprets Pride and Prejudice from Mary Bennet’s viewpoint.

 

 

Abbasi will collaborate with British director Jennifer Sheridan in sharing the directing duties. This ten-part drama centers on Mary Bennet as she emerges from her sisters’ shadows, exploring her journey toward self-discovery and autonomy. The series is set to debut in 2026 on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BritBox.

 

 

Ella Bruccoleri, recognized for her performance in Bridgerton, will take on the role of Mary Bennet. The cast also includes Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, along with Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, and Tanya Reynolds. Set in Regency-era England, the series follows Mary’s travels from her family home in Meryton to the social scenes of London and the Lake District, as she seeks her identity and purpose.

 

 

Abbasi, who is renowned for his contributions to Pakistani cinema and streaming platforms, has established a reputation for innovative and genre-blending storytelling. His debut feature Cake (2018) was selected as Pakistan’s entry for the 2019 Oscars. In 2020, his web series Churails, released on ZEE5, received acclaim for its daring and female-centric narrative. His latest project, Barzakh (2024), featuring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed, delved into supernatural themes. He also directed an episode of the second season of The Famous Five.

 

 

This represents Abbasi’s first significant partnership with the BBC. The adaptation presents him with an opportunity to engage with classic British literature while furthering his exploration of character-driven storytelling, a defining trait of his earlier works.

 

 

Details about filming and production have not yet been revealed, but the project positions Abbasi alongside notable UK talents in an arena that has traditionally been led by British specialists in period dramas. His involvement highlights the increasing global recognition of South Asian filmmakers in the television industry.