February 2nd 2025.
Get ready to dive into BBC's newest four-part period drama, Miss Austen. This series pays tribute to the renowned English author, Jane Austen, on the 250th anniversary of her birth. Jane's timeless love stories have been adapted for the screen many times, from Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy in BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice to Dakota Johnson's unique take on Persuasion in Netflix's recent adaptation. But while these adaptations have captured our hearts, what about the woman behind these beloved classics? There is a fascination with the events in Jane's life that may have influenced her stories of yearning, unrequited love, and happy endings. Sadly, much of what we know about Jane's life comes from her novels, as her sister, Cassandra, burned most of her private letters shortly after Jane's death in 1817.
As the BBC celebrates this special milestone, we can't help but wonder how accurate the events portrayed in Miss Austen are. So, what exactly is this new series about? Based on Gill Hornby's 2020 novel, the show follows the story of Jane's sister Cassandra, who has often been seen as the villain for destroying her sister's letters. The series is told through two timelines, one in 1830 when Cassandra travels to the Fowle family home to destroy Jane's correspondence, and the other in the past, where we see the sisters' relationship and their interactions with the Fowle family.
The star-studded cast includes Keeley Hawes as the older Cassandra, Rose Leslie as Isabelle Fowle, Jessica Hynes as Cassandra's sister-in-law Mary Austen, Mirren Mack as lady's maid Dinah, and Alfred Enoch as physician Lidderdale. In the past timeline, we see Synnove Karlsen as a young Cassandra, Patsy Ferran as Jane, Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle, and Liv Hill as a young Mary Austen. The show also features Phyllis Logan and Kevin McNally as Mr. and Mrs. Austen, and Max Irons as Henry Hobday, a gentleman who crosses paths with the Austen family.
But is Miss Austen based on a true story? The answer is a bit complicated, as the show blurs the lines between fact and fiction. While Jane did have a sister named Cassandra and six brothers, and her sister burned most of her letters, the rest is a mix of reality and imagination. The show explores Cassandra's perspective and her relationship with her sister, shedding light on her actions and the events that may have influenced them. Hornby's goal was to reimagine the Austen sisters and challenge the popular narrative of Cassandra as the spinster who longed for marriage. In reality, there is no evidence to suggest that Jane had such desires, and she was a vibrant and witty person, as seen in her remaining letters.
The series also features many real events, including Cassandra's engagement to Tom Fowle and his untimely death from yellow fever. We also see a glimpse into Jane's short-lived engagement to Harris Bigg-Wither, which she later called off. However, the show also takes creative liberties, such as Cassandra's love interest, Henry Hobday, who never ended up with either of the sisters in real life. Despite Cassandra's actions, she also tried to preserve her sister's legacy through her own correspondence and creating two portraits of the author.
In the end, as Cassandra says in the show, the best way to know about Jane's life is through her novels. And that is exactly what the writer and executive producer, Andrea Gibb, aimed to do with Miss Austen. By destroying the correspondence, Cassandra protected her sister's legacy and ensured that Jane would be remembered for her writing. So, whether you're a fan of Jane Austen's novels or just love a good period drama, Miss Austen is a must-watch. The first episode airs on BBC One on February 2nd, and the whole series will be available on BBC iPlayer.
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