‘The Other Elliot Sister’ On Its Way for BritBox Anthology Franchise
All of Jane Austen‘s wallflowers will be given their chance to bloom as BritBox launches an anthology franchise off the back of The Other Bennet Sister‘s success.
The BBC Studios-owned streamer has unveiled to The Hollywood Reporter a series titled Austen Untold, made in partnership with The Other Bennet Sister‘s production company Bad Wolf, dedicated to TV show adaptations of Austen stories told through the perspectives of overlooked and under-explored characters.
The Other Elliot Sister, following the eldest sibling of Austen’s Persuasion, has been commissioned to mark Austen Untold‘s launch. The 10-part drama is adapted by The Other Bennet Sister writer Sarah Quintrell from Janice Hadlow’s forthcoming novel of the same name. With production set to kick off in 2027, the show will build on the approach established by the much-loved Other Bennet Sister by placing a character previously confined to the margins at the heart of her own story.
“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,” said Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter. “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 as part of Austen Untold.”
The Other Bennet Sister, led by a charming Ella Bruccoleri as well as Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Dónal Finn and Laurie Davidson in supporting roles, has been a runaway success and catapulted the platform to the big leagues.
‘Austen Untold’
BritBox
The BBC and BritBox co-production became the biggest launch of a new drama in the U.K. across all platforms and streamers in a year for the British broadcaster. Then came its BritBox debut in May: a record-breaking performance that drove five times the number of new subscribers as any prior launch on the platform. THR understands that 50 percent of active BritBox subscribers have now viewed The Other Bennet Sister.
And due to popular demand, The Other Bennet Sister is returning with a three-part Christmas special in December.
“The extraordinary response to The Other Bennet Sister confirmed what we’ve long known: audiences have a deep love for Jane Austen’s worlds and an appetite for stories that uncover new perspectives within them,” said Jon Farrar, chief content officer, direct-to-consumer, BBC Studios. “With Austen Untold, we’re investing in bold reimaginings centered on the overlooked figures whose complexity and emotional journeys have often remained in the background of Austen’s stories.”
BBC Studios CEO of direct-to-consumer, Robert Schildhouse spoke to THR earlier this year in an in-depth piece that looked at how The Other Bennet Sister fueled a breakout moment for the platform. “It’s safe to say it’s the biggest thing that we’ve ever done. The reviews, [from] critics and audiences, have exceeded anything we’ve ever done before. We couldn’t be happier.”
Tranter added about what’s made the series so popular: “I really feel that part of the strength of the response to the piece is that it’s about kindness and it’s about inclusivity. […] Mary has her own version of womanhood, and that is a really important part of getting a story out there. Who are we to say that women should look or feel or sound or be like this? They are who they want to be, and I love that.”
Elizabeth, you’re up.
The Other Elliot Sister is produced by Bad Wolf for BritBox North America and the BBC. The executive producers are Sarah Quintrell and Janice Hadlow; Kate Crowther, Becca Kinder and Jane Tranter for Bad Wolf; Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC; and Robert Schildhouse, Jon Farrar and Jess O’Riordan for BritBox. The series has been developed and overseen by Bad Wolf’s managing director Dan McCulloch and CCO Ryan Rasmussen.
The show will air exclusively in the U.S. and Canada on BritBox and exclusively in the U.K. on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Sony Pictures Television will distribute The Other Elliot Sister internationally.
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