New 'Pride and Prejudice' spinoff becomes one of most viewed BBC shows

• Laurie Davidson says his life remains normal despite the show’s high UK viewership.
• The series follows Mary Bennet’s romantic adventures after her sisters’ marriages.
• The production includes deliberate tributes to past iconic Pride and Prejudice adaptations.
  

A new Pride and Prejudice spinoff, The Other Bennet Sister, has become one of the most viewed BBC shows in the United Kingdom over the past year, though the series' stars claim they are not yet feeling the impact in their daily lives.

Speaking exclusively to Page Six, lead actor Laurie Davidson joked that the show’s viral popularity has not significantly altered his reality, noting he is currently only being recognised "among my mom’s friends."

Davidson, 34, quipped that he has not reached the level of fame where taxi drivers shout commentary at him on the street.

Based on the novel by Janice Hadlow, the series—now streaming on BritBox—centres on Elizabeth Bennet’s sister, Mary, played by Ella Bruccoleri.

The narrative follows Mary as she travels to London and finds herself in a love triangle with the earnest Tom Hayward, portrayed by Donal Finn, and the cheerful William Ryder, played by Davidson.

Donal Finn, 30, noted that since they are playing Austen heroes, they were keen to "reward" fans with nods to classic adaptations.

This includes homages to Matthew Macfadyen’s famous hand flex and Colin Firth’s iconic wet shirt scene from the 1995 miniseries.

Finn explained that while the show was "aware of what’s come before," the actors focused on the emotional truth of the scenes rather than getting carried away by tributes.

As the "Young Sherlock" actor observed, the strength of the production lies in elevating an unlikely protagonist into a cinematically iconic moment.