'Miss Austen' – A Moving BBC Period Drama
The BBC’s four-part series Miss Austen, starring Keeley Hawes, has captured viewers' hearts and drawn praise as one of the network’s finest period dramas. The production offers a fresh, intimate look at the life of Cassandra Austen, sister to the famed novelist Jane Austen.
Plot Overview
Set in 1830, the story follows Cassandra as she visits the Fowle household, where Reverend Fowle is on his deathbed. She pledges to help his daughter Isabella find a new home while secretly searching for letters written by Jane Austen to Elizabeth Fowle. Cassandra’s goal is to destroy the letters to safeguard her sister’s reputation.
Emotional and Historical Depth
The narrative unfolds through flashbacks, revealing Cassandra’s engagement to the late Tom Fowle, her reflections on losses within the Austen family, and the unfolding of Jane’s creative journey. As Cassandra rediscovers these letters, she confronts her own regrets and memories tied to love and duty.
Viewers have praised it as an “exceptional” drama and “the best of the BBC.”
Cast and Performances
- Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen
- Patsy Ferran as Jane Austen
- Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen
- Rose Leslie, Max Irons, and Phyllis Logan in supporting roles
Conclusion
Miss Austen explores sisterhood, memory, and legacy, bringing warmth and poignancy to a story that resonates beyond its historical setting.
Author’s Summary: A touching period drama where Keeley Hawes shines as Cassandra Austen, unraveling the bond between two sisters against a backdrop of memory, love, and literary legacy.