Here’s a list of some unsuspecting Jane Austen adaptations to fill the hole while fans wait for the upcoming ten-part series, The Other Bennet Sister.

The Other Bennet Sister is set to delight viewers later this year

(Image: BBC)

Jane Austen has written some of the most iconic books in history. From Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice to Emma, the author’s novels have been widely read and beloved by millions. So, it’s no surprise that many of them have been adapted into both film and TV.

And it’s no secret that some of her finest work shines in binge-worthy film and TV series, but not all of them are winners. Here, we have compiled a list of the most unexpected adaptations of the Victorian writer’s tales.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

One of the most unexpected adaptations on the list is the 2016 zombie spin-off of the late 18th-century novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It is a genre-bending reimagining of the Jane Austen classic, where the Bennet sisters are trained in martial arts to fight a zombie plague in 19th-century England. Elizabeth Bennet (played by Lily James) must balance her quest for love with the societal pressures of marriage while combating the undead, eventually teaming up with the arrogant Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) to fight a larger zombie apocalypse.

Unsurprisingly, the 108-minute film received a 47% rating on the popular critics’ site Rotten Tomatoes.  Despite the poor reviews, many viewers still enjoyed the fun adaptation, with one user posting: “Despite its issues, it is still fun and manages to be more entertaining than it had any right to be.” Another agreed: “What could have potentially turned into an awfully overdone film turned into a thoroughly enjoyable thrill ride that is no short of laughs.”

(Image: Press Handout)

Austenland

The 2013 romantic comedy, Austenland, follows Jane Hayes (played by Keri Russell), a 30-something New Yorker with an embarrassing obsession with Mr. Darcy – especially Colin Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. For her birthday, she splurged her savings on an immersive, Regency-era trip to an English resort called Pembrook Park.

While she’s there, she finds herself torn between the scripted romance with brooding actor Nr. Nobley (JJ Field), and a genuine connection with the resort’s gardener, Martin (Bret McKenzie). The 90-minute film received a 32% score on the popular critics’ website. Despite the backlash, viewers still enjoyed the rom-com and showered it with praise online. One user penned: “This is a fantastic little movie for lovers of Austen. It’s witty and silly at the same time.” Another agreed: “A made-by-fans-for-Austen-fans romcom with a modern twist and a lovable Keri Russell, that hits all the beats one could ask for, plus the Hess’ trademark cringe.”

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Lost in Austen

Lost in Austen is a 2008 four-part ITV fantasy miniseries based on the 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. It follows Amanda Price (played by Jemima Rooper), a young woman living in modern London, where she swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet through a bathroom portal. Here, Amanda navigates Regency England, attempting to keep the story on track while inadvertently causing chaotic romantic twists.

The ITV series received a score of 7.3 out of 10 on the popular critics’ review site IMDb, and The Times ranked it among the Top 50 TV Shows of the Noughties. One user gushed: “Delightful and funny. The miniseries was absolutely sweet and funny, and it will be appreciated by real Jane Austen fanatics.” Another agreed: “Wonderful breath of fresh air! I am utterly captivated by this refreshing take on Austen.”

(Image: ITV)

Bridget Jones’ Diary

The beloved 2001 romantic comedy Bridget Jones’ Diary is a beloved noughties film that has stood the test of time. Starring Renée Zellweger in the titular role, Bridget decides to take control of her life by keeping a diary, documenting her struggles with weight, smoking, drinking, and her romantic life. Caught between her charming but disreputable boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), and the cold-seeming barrister, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), she navigates work, eccentric friends, and love.

The 1996 novel by Helen Fielding is a modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, swapping 19th-century societal pressures for 1990 London dating culture. On Rotten Tomatoes, the popular critics’ review website, viewers gave the 2001 film an impressive 79% score, with fans still raving about it to this day. One user gushed: “24 years on, there’s still a lot to love about Sharon Maguire’s charming British comedy.” Another agreed: “A charming romantic comedy full of funny moments that deserves to be celebrated as a modern classic.”

(Image: Miramax/Universal/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Clueless

The 1995 high school rom-com Clueless is a coming-of-age teen comedy film written and directed by Amy Heckerling. It stars Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz, a stylish, popular, and good-natured teenager who lives in a Beverley Hills mansion with her wealthy father, Mel. The film is a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, Emma, and centres on the wealthy high school student who wants to do “good deeds”.

She befriends a klutzy newcomer named Tai (Brittany Murphy) and decides to give her a makeover while playing matchmaker for her teachers and examining her own existence. When Tai becomes more popular than she is, Cher realises that her disapproving ex-stepbrother (Paul Rudd) was right about how misguided she was, and falls for him.

IMDb, the popular critics’ review site, gave the 1990s film just 6.9 out of 10, but it is still adored by a loyal fan base. One user penned: “Clever spin on Austen’s story with good satire and performances. I read Emma in early high school, as I’m sure most kids did, and the movie puts a clever spin on the tale.” Another agreed: “Director Amy Herckerling re-imagines Jane Austen’s Emma into a satirical but glib look at Beverly Hills rich kids. The message of doing good for those less fortunate sounds superficial. Yet despite this, the cast brings a lightness of touch and fun to the film that you cannot help but like it.”

(Image: Paramount)

Death Comes To Pemberley

The 2013 BBC miniseries Death Comes to Pemberley is based on the P.D. James novel, which blends a murder mystery with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Set six years into the Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (played by Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Bennet (Anna Maxwell Martin) marriage, the story begins as preparations for a ball are interrupted by a hysterical Lydia Wickham (Jenna Coleman), who claims her husband George Wickham (Matthew Goode) has been murdered in the woods.

The three-part series received a score of 7.1 out of 10, and was adored by fans at the time. One user penned: “It is absolutely wonderful. I first watched this some years back and wasn’t too sure about it, but watched it recently and absolutely enjoyed it. Everything about it is enjoyable: the cast, acting, scenery, sets, and costumes. This is a must-watch.” Another agreed: “Jane Austen would approve. Beautiful screening of the P.D. James novel which borrows characters from Pride and Prejudice. It doesn’t disappoint.”

(Image: publicity picture)

The Other Bennet Sister

The Other Bennet Sister is an upcoming BBC One period drama set to delight viewers later this year. This is the corporation’s latest adaptation of the novel by the same name by Janice Hadlow, based on the characters by Jane Austen. Ella Bruccoleri will take on the role of Mary Bennet and follow the events from Pride and Prejudice. It’s at this point that the story deviates to follow Mary as she travels to London and the Lake District, and the overlooked sister of the big Bennet family, as she embarks on a romantic adventure in Regency England. Filming took place in Bristol and Wales and began back in June 2025, with the ten-part series scheduled to air later this year.

(Image: BBC)