Spring has officially sprung, and luckily for us, it’s arrived hand-in-hand with The Other Bennet Sister. Like the rest of the UK, we’ve been completely swept up in this Pride and Prejudice-inspired period drama. Based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, the series revisits familiar territory but shifts the spotlight onto the often-overlooked Mary Bennet.
The BBC has now dropped the second half of the series, and somehow, it’s just as compelling, romantic, and quietly devastating as the first.
So, how does it all wrap up? Here’s your The Other Bennet Sister ending explained, including the all-important question: who does Mary Bennet end up with?
The Other Bennet Sister, ending explained
The tenth chapter of The Other Bennet Sister sees Mrs Bennet (Ruth Jones) arrive in London, determined to marry off her youngest daughter, Mary Bennet (Ella Bruccoleri). She even arranges a gathering of eligible suitors, hoping Mary will make a suitable match.
But the predictable plans are upended when Mr Ryder (Laurie Davidson) appears unexpectedly, requesting a private conversation with Mary. He finally apologises for his past mistakes, admitting he was entirely to blame for putting both her and Miss Bingley (Tanya Reynolds) in grave danger at the Lakes.
Then comes the bombshell: Mr Ryder has unexpectedly been named Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s heir and, now armed with a fortune, intends to propose. (An unexpected inheritance and a proposal? Consider us seated.) He even seeks the blessing of Mr Hayward (Dónal Finn) before going through with it.
But Mary surprises everyone by turning him down. Calmly, she explains that she doesn’t love him and that he deserves to find “true happiness.” Still, she cherishes their friendship and encourages him to travel to Italy, where, she suggests, happiness may await. Honestly, who wouldn’t be tempted by that?
Mary bumped into Mr Sparrow (Aaron Gill) in the park after learning he was in London following his graduation from Moorfields. True to his earlier ambitions, he had become a doctor.
Sparrow was now married and had a young daughter, hinting that Mary could one day be her governess. When Mary fretted that her mother would never approve, Mr Sparrow offered some sage advice, urging her not to let Mrs Bennet’s opinions dictate her choices, and gently reminded her to stop worrying so much about what others think.
Mary refused Mr Ryder’s proposal, insisting she didn’t love him. Naturally, Mrs Bennet, long eager to see her youngest married, was less than pleased. Mary reassured her mother that she never intended to cause trouble, but she had found happiness in London and had witnessed enough “miserable marriages” to know she didn’t want that for herself. She also admitted she felt a pang for never matching her sisters in Mrs Bennet’s esteem.
Mary explained that she had chosen her own path and was content with it. Mrs Bennet, in turn, revealed her only desire was to keep her daughters safe and secure their futures. In the end, mother and daughter found peace in understanding each other’s intentions.
Caroline had been a difficult presence throughout the series, until the Lake District scene, where Mary stepped in to help her. Grateful, Miss Bingley thanks Mary and gently asks her to leave Mr Ryder alone. Mary, ever composed, tells her that her sister-in-law is far better suited to him than she is.
She reassures Caroline that they’re simply not a match and encourages her to pursue Mr Ryder herself. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Mary also admits that she once had feelings for Mr Hayward, but he had “disappeared,” leaving her to reconcile with her own path and choices.
Briefly, it seemed Mary would end up happily alone, content with the life she had chosen and finally knowing she was “good enough.”
But then… Mr Hayward reappears. He explains he had disappeared to Yorkshire, leaving Mary furious at his feeble excuse. He says he learned at the Lakes that Mr Ryder planned to propose and “graciously stepped aside,” despite his own feelings for her.
Actress by day, travel influencer by night.
Mary is unimpressed, making it clear she should have been consulted before he made such a “gracious” decision. Undeterred, Mr Hayward proposes, and the two exchange heartfelt declarations of love — yes, we’re crying. She accepts but asks why he returned. He reveals that Miss Bingley wrote to him, guiding him back to Mary in her one act of kindness before she went to Italy to pursue Mr Ryder herself.
Mary and Mr Hayward marry on their own terms, embarking on a life of happiness together. The series closes with a shot of Mary’s book, Advice for a Young Woman, presumably inspired by her adventures in London.
You can watch all episodes of The Other Bennet Sister on BBC iPlayer.
