WHAT JANEITES WILL BE WATCHING IN 2026: UPCOMING AUSTEN ADAPTATIONS

Promotional picture for The Other Bennet Sister (2026)

As the final pages of 2025 turn, it feels only fitting to look ahead. After a year filled with Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrations — from exhibitions and new scholarship to reprints and rereads — one might assume the Austen moment would gently fade. Happily, the opposite is true. The coming year promises not a quiet coda, but a full Regency encore.

2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for Austen lovers, with a wave of ambitious screen adaptations that span faithful retellings, bold reimaginings, and thoughtful expansions of her world. Whether your heart belongs to Hertfordshire, Devonshire, or Bath, there is much to anticipate.

Here is your definitive guide to the Jane Austen–inspired adaptations we’ll be watching (and debating!) in 2026.  

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1. Sense and Sensibility — A Return to the Big Screen

Release Dates: September 11, 2026 (US) / September 25, 2026 (UK)

More than thirty years after Ang Lee and Emma Thompson’s beloved adaptation, the Dashwood sisters are returning to cinemas courtesy of Focus Features.

The Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) steps into the role of the composed and principled Elinor, opposite Esmé Creed-Miles as the passionately romantic Marianne. George MacKay will portray Edward Ferrars, while Frank Dillane takes on the dangerously charming John Willoughby. Adding to the appeal, Caitríona Balfe is set to play Mrs. Dashwood.

Why We’re Excited

Directed by Georgia Oakley (Blue Jean), this adaptation promises a sensitive yet contemporary lens on Austen’s exploration of emotional restraint, social expectation, and female resilience. With this cast and creative team, expectations are understandably high.

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2. Pride and Prejudice — The Netflix Limited Series

Expected: Mid-to-late 2026

Netflix enters Austen territory with a multi-part Pride and Prejudice series written by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love). Any new adaptation must contend with two near-canonical screen versions, but this one is clearly aiming for depth rather than novelty alone.

The Cast:

Emma Corrin (The Crown) will lead as Elizabeth Bennet, with Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) as Mr. Darcy. The Bennet parents are played by Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell — a pairing that alone has fans buzzing. Daryl McCormack is confirmed as a charming Mr. Bingley.

The Vibe:

Alderton has spoken about leaning into Austen’s observational wit and moral intelligence, with particular attention to the Bennet sisters’ inner lives. Expect rich character work, social nuance, and plenty for book clubs to unpack.

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3. The Other Bennet Sister — BBC Series

Expected: Early 2026

Based on Janice Hadlow’s acclaimed 2020 novel, this ten-part BBC adaptation shifts the spotlight to Mary Bennet — long dismissed as the dullest sister, yet perhaps the most overlooked.

The Story:

This series traces Mary’s journey from the margins of Longbourn to a life shaped by self-knowledge, intellectual curiosity, and unexpected romance. It’s a thoughtful expansion of Austen’s world rather than a retelling.

The Cast:

Ella Bruccoleri (Bridgerton) stars as Mary, joined by Richard E. Grant and Ruth Jones as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

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 My Jane Austen Book Club Take

With the momentum of the 250th anniversary still carrying us forward, it’s clear that Austen’s work continues to invite reinterpretation. While some may question whether we need yet another Pride and Prejudice, I firmly believe that each generation deserves its own Elizabeth and Darcy — provided the adaptation approaches the material with intelligence, care, and respect.

Here’s hoping 2026 gives us not just more Austen, but good Austen.

Which adaptation are you most excited — or most nervous — about? Let’s talk in the comments.