The BBC's latest period drama, The Other Bennet Sister, has captivated audiences with its reimagining of Jane Austen's world, but the production's true backdrop might surprise viewers. While the story follows Mary Bennet's journey to the Lake District, the majority of filming actually took place across various scenic locations in Wales.
Welsh Landscapes Transform into Regency England
Adapted from Janice Hadlow's bestselling novel, the series shifts focus to Mary Bennet, the often-overlooked middle sister from Pride and Prejudice. Despite being set in the picturesque Lake District, production teams utilized Welsh locations to double for the iconic English landscapes. According to reports from Wales Online, this creative decision allowed the crew to capture stunning visuals while filming closer to home.
Key Filming Locations Across Wales
The production made extensive use of several historic and natural sites throughout Wales:
- St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff provided atmospheric backdrops
- Dyffryn House and Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan offered elegant period settings
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor in Caerphilly contributed to the authentic Regency feel
- Penpont House served as the fictional Meryton Village
Natural Stand-Ins for Iconic Lake District Scenes
Perhaps most remarkably, the production used Welsh natural features to represent famous Lake District landmarks. RadioTimes reports that boat sequences meant to take place on Lake Windermere were actually filmed in the Brecon Beacons. Similarly, scenes depicting Scafell Pike mountain were shot in the Black Mountains region of Wales.
Cast Reactions to Welsh Filming Experience
Ruth Jones, who portrays Mrs. Bennet in the series, expressed particular pride in filming in her home country. "I love coming back to Wales," she remarked. "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."
Lead actress Ella Bruccoleri, who plays Mary Bennet, shared similar enthusiasm with Country and Town House magazine. "I loved filming in Wales. I can't speak highly enough about it; it was like a revelation for me," she said. "I'd only been there once, and I was like, 'Oh my God, this is the most beautiful country in the world!' I was blown away by it."
Bruccoleri particularly enjoyed the water sequences, noting: "Some of our locations had to stand in for the Lake District so we did a lot of filming in the Brecon Beacons and on all these beautiful lakes. It was quite breathtaking. There were days when Dónal [Finn] and I just had to row on a lake all day whilst they captured shots of us in the sun; it was incredible."
Production Details and Cast
The series features an impressive ensemble cast including Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet, supported by Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, Laurie Davidson, and Dónal Finn. The official synopsis describes Mary's journey as she "steps out of her sisters' shadows in search of her own identity and purpose, finding herself in the middle of an epic love story along the way."
Her character's development takes her from the family home in Meryton to the sophisticated social scenes of Regency London and ultimately to the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District—all portrayed through carefully selected Welsh locations.
The Other Bennet Sister continues to air on BBC One and remains available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, offering viewers both a compelling period drama and an unexpected showcase of Wales's cinematic potential.
