Keeley Hawes Illuminates Austen’s World in the Highly Anticipated Miss Austen
As the literary legacy of Jane Austen continues to enchant, Miss Austen offers a poignant reimagining of one of its most tantalising mysteries: the bond between Jane Austen and her devoted sister, Cassandra. Premiering May 4 on PBS’s Masterpiece, this four-part drama, inspired by Gill Hornby’s novel, peers into the heart of Cassandra Austen—played with exquisite depth by Keeley Hawes—who famously destroyed much of her sister’s correspondence after her death.
Set against the bucolic backdrop of early 19th-century England, Miss Austen elegantly toggles between two timelines: Cassandra’s life in 1830 as she grapples with the weight of preserving Jane’s legacy and the sisters’ earlier years, portrayed with disarming intimacy by Patsy Ferran as Jane and Synnøve Karlsen as the younger Cassandra. These dual narratives provide a textured exploration of familial devotion, artistic brilliance, and the moral ambiguity of Cassandra’s ultimate decision to burn Jane’s letters—pieces of history now forever lost.
The series promises a fresh lens on the Austen world, with an emotional resonance that matches the author’s celebrated wit and social insight. “There is no greater comfort in this world than a sister,” declares a character in the trailer—a line that encapsulates the tender, complex relationship at the story’s core.
The cast is an ensemble of luminaries: Rose Leslie and Alfred Enoch lend a romantic intrigue to the narrative, while Max Irons (The Wife), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton), and Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey) offer their seasoned gravitas. Under the direction of BAFTA-winning Aisling Walsh and the deft pen of Andrea Gibb, Miss Austen balances reverence for its subject with a compelling exploration of the grey areas that make its characters so human.
What makes this adaptation stand apart is its willingness to question the mythology surrounding Austen. Why would Cassandra, her closest confidante, choose to obliterate the intimate words of a writer whose legacy would go on to captivate the world? Was it an act of protection, of love, or of self-interest? Hawes’s portrayal of Cassandra promises to be as layered as any of Austen’s heroines, potentially redefining her as a figure both noble and flawed.
Beyond its narrative depth, Miss Austen also celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth—a timely homage to an author whose influence has only grown with time. Against a sea of Regency-era dramas flooding streaming platforms, Miss Austen aims not just to entertain but to provoke reflection on the cost of artistic preservation and the intimate bonds that shape creative genius.
As the May 4 premiere approaches, Austen aficionados and period drama enthusiasts alike will undoubtedly be drawn to this richly atmospheric piece of television. It offers not only a story of sisterhood but also a broader meditation on the stories we choose to save and the truths we let slip away.
FAQs
- What is Miss Austen about?
Miss Austen explores the relationship between Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra, focusing on the literary mystery of why Cassandra burned many of Jane’s letters. - Who stars in Miss Austen?
Keeley Hawes leads the cast as Cassandra Austen, joined by Patsy Ferran, Rose Leslie, Alfred Enoch, Max Irons, and Synnøve Karlsen. - Why did Cassandra Austen burn Jane’s letters?
Historians speculate it was to protect Jane’s privacy and family reputation, though Miss Austen reimagines this act as a layered, emotional decision. - Who directed and wrote Miss Austen?
The series is directed by BAFTA-winning Aisling Walsh and written by Andrea Gibb, based on Gill Hornby’s novel. - When does Miss Austen premiere?
The series premieres May 4 on PBS’s Masterpiece, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
