As someone who’s been a devoted Jane Austen enthusiast since the age of 15, cherishing her literary works, even I’m growing weary of the endless adaptations of her novels

Upon learning that Netflix plans to remake Pride and Prejudice for contemporary audiences, I’m feeling sceptical. My concerns are heightened following the streaming platform’s catastrophic version of Persuasion, which incorporated a Fleabag-style approach that transformed the cherished Anne Elliot (portrayed by Dakota Johnson) from a composed and thoughtful character into a wine-guzzling protagonist delivering knowing glances and sardonic quips whilst breaking the fourth wall, reports the Express.

Whilst the early preview for the upcoming Pride and Prejudice film suggests a more conventional adaptation approach, it somehow feels uninspiring. I’ll withhold final judgement until the production arrives, but we’ve already been treated to two exceptional adaptations – the BBC’s legendary 1995 series starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, which has become embedded in popular culture partly through the Bridget Jones films, and Joe Wright’s visually stunning, albeit somewhat lacking, 2005 version featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Other Bennet Sister tells a new story from Jane Austen’s universe(Image: BBC)

However, it’s not solely Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice causing concern; there’s also a Sense and Sensibility reimagining underway, arriving at cinemas later this year.

This follows Emma Thompson’s Academy Award-winning 1995 adaptation and the BBC’s 2008 mini-series. Considering all this, perhaps it’s time to pursue something fresh and present a different narrative?

This debate extends far beyond Jane Austen adaptations – it’s a broader concern plaguing film and television, as studios, streamers and broadcasters appear reluctant to gamble on original narratives for fear of missing financial targets.

Instead, they’re opting for remakes, banking on established and devoted fanbases who’ll eagerly consume them, even when said remake bears little resemblance to the original source material – I’m looking squarely at you “Wuthering Heights”.

This is precisely why I’ve been captivated by the BBC’s The Other Bennet Sister. Based on Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel of the same name, whilst it incorporates elements from Pride and Prejudice, it offers a refreshing perspective on this cherished tale through the eyes of the book’s most neglected sister, Mary Bennet (Ella Bruccoleri). Pride and Prejudice serves merely as a launching pad for Mary’s journey, and exploring a different character from the same universe feels wonderfully innovative.

The Other Bennet Sister on the BBC offers a fresh tale(Image: BBC)

Call the Midwife star Bruccoleri is mesmerising as this story’s unexpected protagonist, particularly given her painful awareness that she lacks the beauty or charm of her elder siblings, yet her keen intellect enables her to flourish in ways her Longbourn existence never permitted.

You’ve got the lavish period costumes and stellar ensemble – Richard E. Grant, Ruth Jones and Indira Varma are magnificent as Mr and Mrs Bennet and Mrs Gardiner, respectively. Even if some might dismiss it as Austen fan fiction, it’s a thrilling fresh narrative.

Last year’s Miss Austen provided another splendid illustration. The BBC and PBS production, adapted from Gill Hornby’s eponymous 2020 novel, is set to return for another series, which is tremendously exciting. Miss Austen departed from conventional remakes, presenting viewers with a fresh narrative that echoed Persuasion whilst remaining faithful to the essence of Austen’s literary works.

Austen’s catalogue is brimming with characters ripe for further exploration. Combined with the established Austen fanbase, the remarkable worldwide triumph of Regency period drama Bridgerton demonstrates there’s substantial appetite for original content. So please, can we have more of these narratives – ones offering genuine new perspectives rather than yet another exhausted remake?

The Other Bennet Sister is streaming on BBC iPlayer now