First look at the new BBC drama Jane Austen fans will love
Fans of literary icon Jane Austen may be familiar with author Gill Hornby’s best-selling and much loved novel about the beloved writer, Miss Austen. Well, now an adaptation of Gill's book is coming to the BBC, and some first-look pictures have just been released...
From BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb, the four-part drama will retell the life of Jane's sister, Cassandra Austen, and feature a star-studded cast including the likes of Keeley Hawes, Rose Leslie, Alfred Enoch and more.
It's set to be a witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, so from the plot to the release date, here is everything we know so far about the BBC adaptation of Gill Hornby's book, Miss Austen.
Miss Austen: Plot
The official synopsis for the four-part BBC series is as follows: "The drama begins in 1830, a while after Jane has died. Cassandra (Keeley Hawes) races to see her young friend Isabella (Rose Leslie), who is about to lose her home following her father’s death.
"Cassandra is ostensibly there to help her friend, but her real motive is to find a stash of private letters which, in the wrong hands, could destroy Jane’s reputation. On discovering them, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she is transported back to her youth.
"In flashback, we meet Young Cassy and Jane (Patsy Ferran) as they navigate the infatuations, family feuds and dashed hopes which shaped their lives and laid the foundations for Jane’s unforgettable stories. Cassandra’s re-evaluation of her past eventually leads her to realise how blind she has been to the real cause of Isabella’s heartache and distress.
"Finding a way to guide Isabella towards true happiness, Cassandra is finally able to understand and celebrate the sacrifices she chose to make for her brilliant sister, Jane."
Miss Austen: Cast
The series stars a very recognisable cast alongside some new names, including:
Keely Hawes (Scoop, Bodyguard, Line of Duty) as Cassandra Austen
Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Vigil) as Isabella
Patsy Ferran (Living, Hot Milk) as Jane
Jessica Hynes (Life After Life, Years and Years)
Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest)
Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Shetland)
Kevin McNally (The Crown, Ten Percent)
Max Irons (Condor, The Wife)
Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder, Harry Potter)
Calam Lynch (Bridgerton, Archie)
Liv Hill (The Serpent Queen, Elizabeth Is Missing)
Miss Austen: Release date
Filming for the series began last November, but there is no official release date yet, so watch this space. The BBC has confirmed, however, that Miss Austen will land sometime in 2025 to coincide with Jane Austen's 250th birthday. While we wait, we might just have to re-read the novel...
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