The Other Elliot Sister Leads New Austen Anthology

The drama will place Elizabeth, the eldest Elliot sister, at the center of a story that expands on her brief presence in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Sarah Quintrell, who adapted The Other Bennet Sister, is writing the series based on Janice Hadlow’s upcoming book, which shares its title. Bad Wolf is producing with the BBC and BritBox North America.

The project also launches Austen Untold, an anthology built around characters who have received less attention in Austen adaptations. Bad Wolf chief executive Jane Tranter described Elizabeth as a figure whose limited role in the novel leaves room to explore what lies beneath the surface. BBC Drama director Lindsay Salt said the team hopes viewers will connect with Elizabeth as they did with Mary Bennet.

The announcement follows the strong performance of The Other Bennet Sister, which made Mary Bennet its central character. The BBC said the series became its biggest new drama launch across platforms in the U.K. in a year. Its BritBox debut brought in five times as many new subscribers as any previous launch on the service, and half of active subscribers have watched it. The show is also set to return with three Christmas specials in December.

The Other Elliot Sister will be available exclusively on BritBox in the United States and Canada, and on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. Sony Pictures Television will handle international distribution.