Into The Austenverse

DC and Lisa reflect on their busy week, the strong response to their interview with Ella Bruccoleri (Mary from The Other Bennet Sister) and announce a bonus Ella interview recorded for Today Extra that will drop next week. 

Austen News - WHOOSH -  they discuss the long awaited Clueless TV series 

In “Correspondence Corner,” they discuss topics that have arisen from listeners' emails.

They announce a quick shift from Mary-focused content to reviewing the film The Jane Austen Book Club for Monday’s episode!

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DC and Lisa interview the INCREDIBLE Ella Bruccoleri, The Other Bennet Sister’s Mary Bennet. Prior to the interview, they discuss why the adaptation feels like “canon,” praising its care, its connection to the 1995 Pride and Prejudice (including Lucy Briers). They explain how the interview came about via Instagram after director Jennifer Sheridan shared the podcast with Ella. In the interview, Ella describes preparing for Austen as a latecomer, filming out of sequence, using visual/wardrobe “hacks” like loosening corsets, chemistry tests with co-stars, on-set laughter and outtakes, playing Mary’s self-love journey, eating vegan tofu scotch eggs on set, and how the role has transformed her life as the lead.

TOBS.

TOBS.

TOBS.

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The hosts catch up after a busy week of parenting and work, thank listeners for tuning into their recent episodes covering “The Other Bennett Sister” (TOBS), and celebrate the show’s 7.3 million viewers, calling it the BBC’s biggest new drama in over a year with more growth expected via streaming and catch-up. They note TOBS is about to launch in the US and mention a publicity tour there.

But the big news is....

They reveal they have just finished an interview with Ella Bruccoleri, who plays Mary Bennett, and announce it will be released on Monday!!!  They also share upcoming plans, including being invited to present at the Jane Austen Society of Australia conference in Sydney on May 15, with the possibility of recording their talk for a bonus episode.

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OR Carry On, Scafell.

DC and Lisa recap the final episodes of The Other Bennet Sister.  This week has got it all - wallpaper, awkwardness, proposals, glasses and charm. They talk about the themes, the performances, the importance, the significance and the MVPs.   DC does some questionable accents.  Lisa cries because she finds things beautiful.  

Our hosts are going to be bereft without this series!

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In this mini mini drop drop, DC and Lisa are discussing listeners thoughts on The Other Bennet Sister (TOBS), Wordsworth and riding side saddle.  DC talks about the new trailer for Sense and Sensibility and then talks about which they are most excited about - S&S or P&P… What do you think?

Here are all the details of where to find us and get in touch:

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Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Here is a link to Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast on Wordsworth.

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In this episode of Into The Austenverse, David and Lisa dive into episodes seven and eight of the beloved series. They discuss Mary's proposal from Mister Ryder, which is revealed to be a companion offer rather than a marriage proposal. This twist highlights the societal pressures and expectations placed on women during this time period, particularly in regards to marriage and financial security.

The hosts also explore the musical theatre background of the cast, including Donal Finn's impressive performance in Hadestown and Poppy Gilbert (Elizabeth)'s experience in the musical Flyby. They express their admiration for the actors' training and versatility, which adds depth to their characters.

The conversation also touches on the theme of free love and the influence of the Romantic movement on the characters' decisions. David and Lisa analyze the relationships between Mary, Mr Ryder, and Mr Collins, and how they navigate the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations. The episode ends with a discussion of the upcoming episodes and a tease for the next installment.

Here are all the details of where to find us and get in touch:

Instagram @in2theaustenverse 

Tiktok @in2theaustenverse and on

YouTube @intotheaustenverse

Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

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Mega Mega Drop Drop - Interview with The Other Bennet Sister Director, Jennifer Sheridan

DC and Lisa introduce a “mega drop” interview with Jennifer Sheridan, director of The Other Bennet Sister.  Sheridan discusses how she feels protective of Mary, and why casting Ella Bruccoleri was crucial to balancing Mary’s prickliness, vulnerability, comedy, and how she led the on-set tone. She shares her love for the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, the inspired decision to cast Lucy Briers as Hill.  She explains visual and costume choices, her comedy instincts and the show’s depiction of Mary’s experience of familial cruelty. She even hints about other Austen retellings in the works!

Here are all the details of where to find us and get in touch:

Instagram @in2theaustenverse 

Tiktok @in2theaustenverse and on

YouTube @intotheaustenverse

Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David and Lisa Campbell discuss episodes 5 and 6 of The Other Bennet Sister, share listener growth worldwide (including Iraq and Vietnam), and announce an upcoming bonus interview with director Jennifer Sheridan, inviting questions via email. They praise the show’s title sequence and composer, then recap Mary’s London ball: her onion-mask “polish,” anxiety about walking and dancing, an iconic chaotic first dance with Tom, the reality of dance cards, and her conversation and chemistry with Mr. Ryder. They highlight Caroline Bingley’s cruel sabotage (switching place cards, provoking Mary to sing), Mary’s sharp retort, and Mary smashing a beetle jar. Episode 6 returns to Pemberley with Mrs. Bennet’s exaggerated “vapors,” Mary’s lingering embarrassment, family dynamics pushing her back into old roles, Mr. Ryder visiting, shared reading, riding mishaps, and a Wordsworth recitation that ends with anticipation of what happens next.

Here are all the details of where to find us and get in touch:

Instagram @in2theaustenverse 

Tiktok @in2theaustenverse and on

YouTube @intotheaustenverse

Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Easter!  DC and Lisa welcome all their new listeners and thank the amazing Other Bennet Sister for the bump.  There are some interesting listener questions - for example

Which Austen heroines do you think would struggle or thrive today?

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The pair deep dive into Eps 5 & 6 on Monday and welcome a very special guest interview next week!

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David and Lisa Campbell return to their podcast Into the Austinverse to recap episodes 3 and 4 of The Other Bennet Sister.  They discuss Mary’s move to the Gardiners in vibrant London, her difficulty reading and expressing her emotions, and how Mrs. Gardiner’s kindness challenges Mary’s self-image. They highlight a meta moment framing Lucy Briers and Ella as parallel Marys, Mary meeting Tom Hayward (Donal Finn) and bonding over knowledge and poetry, and the show’s use of colour. 

If you want to play Graces - learn here.  But don't do it inside.

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