The most powerful moment in BritBox‘s new Jane Austen-inspired series The Other Bennet Sister isn’t a swoon-worthy proposal or even a happy ending; it’s Mary Bennet (Ella Bruccoleri) bitterly explaining to her dazzling sister Lizzie (Poppy Gilbert) that they have not had the same chances in life.

“For the rest of you, even in your worst moments growing up, you could look to me and think, ‘At least I’m not Mary,'” she says.

Even as Lizzie tries to argue this isn’t true, fans of Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and its many, many adaptations know it is. Mary Bennet has long been held up as an object of ridicule thanks to her quirky taste and dorky aesthetic. Even Talulah Riley — the gorgeous British actress/model most famous for either being a hot bot in Westworld or one of Elon Musk’s many, many ex-wives —  couldn’t give Mary Bennet a sliver of luster in 2005’s Pride & Prejudice. Mary Bennet simply was not built to shine, and yet BritBox’s The Other Bennet Sister argues otherwise.

Based on Janice Hadlow’s best-selling book of the same name, The Other Bennet Sister rewrites the events of Pride & Prejudice from Mary’s point-of-view. We finally get to see what the middle Bennet sister makes of all the hoopla surrounding Lizzie and Darcy (Victor Pilard), but more importantly, we get to watch a young woman learn to love herself. Mary’s personal journey of self-discovery becomes the engine that drives her own enchanting love triangle and establishes The Other Bennet Sister as one of the most delightful Austen-inspired projects ever made.

The first two episodes of The Other Bennet Sister tread familiar ground for period drama lovers, introducing us to the Bennet family and their frustrating financial situation. Because Mrs. Bennet (Ruth Jones) had five daughters, but no sons, Mr. Bennet’s (Richard E. Grant) wealth and property will go to a distant male cousin upon his death. Mrs. Bennet therefore makes it her mission to marry her daughters off. While the beautiful Jane (Maddie Close), witty Lizzie, vivacious Kitty (Molly Wright), and flirtatious Lydia (Grace Hogg-Robins) have much to recommend them to male suitors, the scholarly and ungainly Mary is an utter disappointment.

While most Pride & Prejudice adaptations depict Mrs. Bennet a silly busybody, The Other Bennet Sister presents her as an emotionally abusive tyrant. Ruth Jones threads this needle beautifully, giving the audience enough comic oomph that we can see the foolish matriarch from Pride & Prejudice, while terrorizing Mary at every turn. It’s soon clear that Mary’s awkward nature is born out of the trauma of this upbringing and it’s only when Mary gets to leave the margins of Lizzie’s epic love story that she, and The Other Bennet Sister, bloom.

Mary travels to London in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 3, where she intends to work as a governess for her kind aunt and uncle. Mrs. Gardiner (Indira Varma) becomes Mary’s cheerleader, encouraging the shy young woman to choose clothing she likes, while Mr. Gardiner (Richard Coyle) introduces his niece to Tom Hayward (Dónal Finn), a young barrister and friend of the family. Sparks fire off whenever Mary and the equally nerdy Tom spend time together, but he’s already in an “understanding” with the bubbly Ann Baxter (Varada Sethu).

Disappointed to discover her burgeoning feelings for Tom dashed, Mary thinks she ought to give up on London and return to her mother’s side. But then, Mary challenges herself to attend one last party. She not only shines in parlor games, but also becomes friends with the dashing and eligible Charles Ryder (Laurie Davidson). Like, Mr. Hayward, Mr. Ryder is taken with Mary’s individuality, much to the chagrin to Pride & Prejudice‘s iconic mean girl, Caroline Bingley (Tanya Reynolds), who wants Ryder and his fortune for herself.

The Other Bennet Sister is an absolutely enchanting new addition to the canon of Jane Austen adaptations, even if it’s based on a book she didn’t write. The Other Bennet Sister doesn’t try to make Austen’s characters racy or modern, but instead leans into their timeless appeal. Ella Bruccoleri is incredible as Mary Bennet, transforming this overlooked character into the most vibrant member of her family tree. Every scene between Bruccoleri and costar Dónal Finn comes with an easy, electric chemistry that will have you squealing with glee. I would be yelling at awards season insiders to push both Bruccoleri and Finn for Emmy nominations if not for the fact that the show’s American rollout precludes it from being eligible this year!

The Other Bennet Sister is hands down the best Austen-inspired series to hit television in years, if not decades, surpassing the likes of Masterpiece on PBS’s Sanditon. Its fresh approach to classic material only enhances Austen’s enduring genius, while offering audiences an inspiring new heroine to aspire to be. The Other Bennet Sister‘s greatest achievement is letting Mary Bennet be herself, shimmering in only the way she alone can do.

The first three episodes of The Other Bennet Sister come out on BritBox on Wednesday, May 6.