Fans of the BBC One period drama The Other Bennet Sister are only just discovering the familiar face behind the character of Tom Hayward, the poetry-loving lawyer who becomes a key love interest for Mary Bennet. The series, which continues the story from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, follows the overlooked Bennet sister as she moves to London after a family tragedy, where she encounters Hayward while staying with the Gardiners.
Who Plays Tom Hayward?
The role is portrayed by Dónal Finn, a 30-year-old Irish actor raised in Dromina, County Cork. Coming from a large farming family of eight children, Finn has drawn on his personal experiences to connect with the character. In an interview, he explained, "I come from a big family with lots of sisters. Many people watch Pride and Prejudice and want to be Elizabeth, but I identify much more with Mary. She represents how people often feel internally constrained by expectations and circumstance."
Dónal Finn's Acting Career
Finn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in acting from LAMDA in 2018 and began his career with a minor role as a peasant named Nettly in an episode of The Witcher. His breakthrough came in 2022 when he was cast as the soldier Eoin McGonigal in the BBC drama SAS: Rogue Heroes. He later gained recognition as Mat Cauthon in the second season of The Wheel of Time.
Named one of the 'Rising Stars of Ireland' by Screen Ireland, Finn has also showcased his talents on stage, playing Orpheus in the West End production of Hadestown. Most recently, he appears as James Moriarty in the Prime Video series Young Sherlock.
Film and Audio Work
Beyond television, Finn has roles in films such as How to Build a Girl (as Karl Boden), Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (as Albert), and Four Letters of Love (as Sean Gore). He has also ventured into audio drama, voicing the lead role of Richard Turpin in the historical series Turpin, which tells the story of a butcher turned violent outlaw.
Musical Talents
Raised in a musical environment, Finn is a skilled singer who began performing as a child. He shared with The Rake magazine, "For family gatherings, as the night rolls on, people do start to sing. So the notion of singing in front of other people, I always saw as a kid." This background adds depth to his artistic versatility.
The Other Bennet Sister airs on BBC One on Sundays and is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, offering viewers a chance to see Finn's portrayal of Tom Hayward alongside Ella Bruccoleri's Mary Bennet.
