Camera crews seen on Newport High Street have prompted speculation that a BBC period drama could be filming in the city again. The production involved has not been confirmed.

One possible explanation is further work on The Other Bennet Sister. The BBC programme, broadcast earlier in the year, expands the Pride and Prejudice story around another member of the Bennet family. Its first series used several Welsh locations and turned Newport’s Market Arcade and nearby streets into Regency-era London, complete with period costumes and horse-drawn carriages.

The drama follows Mary Bennet, the often overlooked middle sister in Jane Austen’s novel, as she tries to establish her own identity. Ella Bruccoleri plays Mary, with Ruth Jones appearing as Mrs Bennet. The cast also includes Richard E. Grant, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, Laurie Davidson and Dónal Finn.

Other locations used for the earlier series included Bannau Brycheiniog, the Black Mountains, St Fagans National Museum of History and Dyffryn House and Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. The Welsh settings stood in for places including the Lake District, Scafell Pike and locations in Meryton and London.

Earlier filming in Newport attracted onlookers and allowed the city’s historic architecture to feature prominently on screen. The production company has been asked to confirm whether the latest High Street activity is connected to a further series and to provide details of the work taking place.