BBC’s The Other Bennet Sister star Ruth Jones on ‘huge challenge’ and why she feels ‘proud’
The Gavin and Stacey actress stars in the new BBC series alongside Richard E Grant
Ruth Jones stars as Mrs Bennet in new BBC series, The Other Bennet Sister, alongside her on screen husband Richard E Grant(Image: BBC)
The BBC’s latest costume drama adaptation, The Other Bennet Sister, will be heading to our screens later this week. The series stars Hollywood legend Richard E Grant, Young Sherlock’s Dónal Finn and Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones.
Based on the bestseller of the same name by Janice Hadlow, The Other Bennet Sister follows Mary Bennet, played by Ella Bruccoleri, the overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
We see Mary as she emerges from her sisters’ shadows in pursuit of her own identity and purpose, finding herself embroiled in a grand love story along the way. Ruth plays Mary’s mother, Mrs Bennet, and describes the series as a “lovely blend of lightness and comedy, with some genuinely moving and poignant moments.”
When speaking to the BBC about her appearance in the series, she said the role was both “iconic and a huge challenge”.
Ruth continued: “I wanted to meet that challenge and portray her differently from how she’s traditionally been seen. In The Other Bennet Sister, we don’t see a woman of purely nervous disposition. I think of her like an estate agent with five properties to sell — four will be snapped up, but one can’t even get a viewing. She’s a tough businesswoman. That really appealed to me.”
The actress who is best known for her comedic roots, explained how she balanced both the comedy and empathetic side of her role.
Ruth shared: “There’s lots of comedy, but also poignancy and hopefully empathy. The scripts are fabulous. Sarah Quintrell and the writing team have balanced the tone beautifully. My job was simply to serve what’s on the page.” For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
When asked what it was like to be back working in Wales whilst filming the series, Ruth explained: “I love coming back to Wales. I recognise so many crew members I’ve worked with before, and it makes me proud that we’re creating a production like this here.
“Locations like St Fagans Folk Museum are places I’ve known since childhood.”
When filming the series in Wales, Ruth played tour guide for the day as she took the cast around some of Gavin and Stacey’s most iconic filming locations. She even borrowed Dave’s coach to show the crew around Barry Island.
At the time she shared: “O. Dave. Where to are you?
“Borrowed your bus. Showin’ @otherbennetsistertv crew the island. Don’t be weird about it.”
The actress also took her on screen husband, Richard E Grant, who plays Mr Bennet, on a private tour. He expressed his love for the series and revealed the important reason why.
In a video on Instagram, Richard said, rather choked up: “Really emotional being here. The last moments of my wife’s life we watched Gavin and Stacey on repeat, and it just cheered us up endlessly. And I’m in Barry.”
His late wife Joan Washington, passed away on September 2, 2021, after being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer.
You can watch the first two episodes of The Bennet Sister on BBC One from 8pm on Sunday, March 15.