The Other Bennet Sister: The hidden Easter eggs that have left fans of the 1995 series Pride and Prejudice 'squealing' with delight
Did you spot them?
The Other Bennet Sister is currently delighting period drama fans, with some eagle-eyed viewers spotting some hidden Easter eggs to the BBC One series Pride and Prejudice in 1995.
Some of you have already binged the first five episodes on iPlayer, while others are waiting as patiently as Mary Bennet for the Sunday night episodes on BBC One. But something unites us all – a warmhearted glee when we spot homage to the famous Colin Firth series Pride and Prejudice.
BBC One’s new period drama The Other Bennet Sister offers a fresh take on Mary Bennet, one of Jane Austen’s most ignored characters. Of course, the 10-part series is based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed novel of the same name which, in turn, is inspired by Jane Austen’s 1813 story Pride and Prejudice.
In 1995, the BBC’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice became arguable the most iconic version of the novel. So it’s rather sweet that more than 20 years later, the new Pride and Prejudice spin-off pays tribute to the original with a series of Easter eggs.
Of course, an Easter egg in a movie or TV show is a hidden reference, in-joke, or nod inserted by creators for attentive viewers to discover. And they are very much intentional…
Pride and Prejudice Easter eggs in The Other Bennet Sister
Easter eggs can include background details, references, or cameos – and The Other Bennet Sister has them all!
Talking about how this adaptation honours Austen while offering something new, Mrs Bennet actress Ruth Jones said: “Austen fans won’t be disappointed. There are so many nods to Pride and Prejudice. Recognisable characters, iconic ballroom scenes, moments that make you think ‘I remember that’.
“Janice Hadlow’s novel is crucial here. Her vision of Mary allows the adaptation to examine society, our anxieties about fitting in, and the pressure of social norms.”
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your television news
Viewers have pointed out some key Easter eggs in The Other Bennet Sister for fans of Pride and Prejudice. These are:
- Actress Lucy Briers, who played Mary Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, now plays Mrs Hill in The Other Bennet Sister (more on that below).
- The opening scenes of The Other Bennet Sister “mirror the original”.
- Mary Bennet was “playing the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice theme on the piano”.
Loving that Hill in The Other Bennet Sister played Mary in Pride And Prejudice (1995) ❤️ pic.twitter.com/p9RaAyXbmZ
— Jess (@Bright_eyed_cap) March 16, 2026
The Other Bennet Sister easter eggs: Lucy Briers appears in both
Many canny-viewers have noticed that actress Lucy Briers – daughter of The Good Life legend Richard – is in The Other Bennet Sister. And she was also in the 1995 TV series Pride and Prejudice. In fact, she wasn’t just in it. She played Mary Bennet!
Lucy Briers, 58, now plays Mrs Hill in the BBC One costume drama The Other Bennet Sister. Mrs Hill is the Bennet family servant and Mary’s confidante. And it’s a “beautiful completion of a circle” according to the actress.
And the detail wasn’t lost on fans. One write on Reddit: “The Other Bennet Sister cast Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill. Lucy also played Mary in the 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice. So I felt it was a lovely sort of handoff.”
Another said: “I squealed internally when I saw her. I love Easter eggs like that.”
A third added: “That is such a fun Easter egg!”
“The fact that the Lucy Briers has a role as well. Welling up here.” said one more, while another wrote: “Ella Bruccoleri is fantastic as Mary and I love the link to the BBC adaptation of P&P with Lucy Briers as Mrs Hill (OG Mary).”
Others called it “top casting”, and a “lovely Easter egg”.
‘They have missed out some crucial bits from the book’
Some fans weren’t impressed however, and disagreed that The Other Bennet Sister is a fitting homage to Pride and Prejudice.
One said said: “I’ve watched the first 5 episodes and loved it. Although they have missed out some crucial bits from the book in my opinion. Mr Bennett got away easily!”
Another wrote: “I get that The Other Bennet Sister is not a P&P adaptation. But the opening scenes mirror the original and, oh, what a monster they’ve made of Mrs Bennet! This is the woman who would happily forget Mr Darcy as a potential suitor because he was mean to Lizzie at a local ball.”
A third added: “The issue with The Other Bennet Sister is that it is rushed. We get to Collins, then everyone is married, no Wickham elopement, no Kitty marrying a clergyman, and no Lady Catherine.”
Finally, one more disgruntled Austen fan said: “It’s probably a good series if you’re completely unfamiliar with the source material. But they’ve entirely rewritten Mary Bennet’s personality. I’ll watch it anyway, the cast is good, just a shame.”
Read more: The Other Bennet Sister filming locations include stunning historic house posing as Longbourn
