Keeley Hawes Shines in BBC's Miss Austen, Exploring Jane Austen's Literary Mystery

2025-02-11

Keeley Hawes stars in Miss Austen, a new BBC period drama that delves into the literary mystery surrounding Jane Austen’s burned letters. The series, based on Gill Hornby’s 2020 novel, explores the life of Jane’s sister, Cassandra, who is often vilified for destroying her sister’s private correspondence after her death in 1817. Set across two timelines—1830 and the sisters’ youth—the drama reimagines the bond between Jane and Cassandra, played by Patsy Ferran and Synnøve Karlsen in their younger years, and Hawes as the older Cassandra.

The story begins in 1830, when Cassandra travels to the Fowle family home to retrieve Jane’s letters, determined to destroy them before they fall into the wrong hands. Flashbacks reveal the sisters’ close relationship, their struggles, and the societal pressures they faced as women in the 19th century. The series also touches on Cassandra’s ill-fated engagement to Tom Fowle, who died of yellow fever, and Jane’s brief engagement to Harris Bigg-Wither, which she famously broke off the next day.

The drama blends fact and fiction, drawing on historical events such as the Austen family’s move to Chawton Cottage and the real-life romance between Isabella Fowle and physician Lidderdale. However, it also introduces fictional elements, including a mysterious love interest for both sisters. The star-studded cast includes Jessica Hynes, Rose Leslie, and Phyllis Logan, with the series praised for its emotional depth and exploration of sisterhood, grief, and love.

Miss Austen premiered on BBC One on 2 February 2025, with the full series available on BBC iPlayer. The show offers a fresh perspective on Jane Austen’s life, challenging the notion of her as a lonely spinster and celebrating her enduring legacy through her novels.

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