Explore into a historical literary mystery with a sneak peek at Masterpiece’s Miss Austen, a series delving into the mysterious burning of Jane Austen’s personal letters. Set in the 1840s, the Miss Austen stars Keeley Hawes and Rose Leslie and has commenced filming in the UK, revealing new images of the cast in period-appropriate costumes. Discover Keeley Hawes Is Jane Austen’s Sister in First Miss Austen Images.
Adapted from Gill Hornby’s 2020 novel, the series features Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen, Jane Austen’s sister and Leslie as family friend Isabella. Other cast members include Jessica Hynes as Jane’s sister-in-law Mary and Mirren Mack as Isabella’s servant, Dinah. The narrative unfolds around Cassandra’s puzzling choice to destroy a significant portion of her sister’s personal letters many years after Jane’s passing.
Masterpiece executive producer Susanne Simpson expresses excitement about Miss Austen, describing it as a beautifully told tale exploring the loves and losses of the Austen sisters. The adaptation, led by Keeley Hawes, promises a heartfelt, romantic and humorous journey with its remarkable cast.
Who Was Cassandra Austen?
Cassandra Austen, born in 1773, was Jane Austen’s elder sister, fostering a close relationship throughout their lives. An amateur watercolor painter, Cassandra created two paintings of her sister, the sole known images of Jane produced during her lifetime. Similar to Jane, she never married, and although engaged at one point, her prospective spouse died before they could wed. In 1843, Cassandra ignited speculation by burning most of Jane’s personal correspondence, a decision that remains a subject of contemplation. Cassandra passed away in 1845 at age 72. Portrayed on screen several times, Anna Maxwell Martin depicted her in 2007’s Becoming Jane, alongside Anne Hathaway as Jane.
The cast of Miss Austen also includes Patsy Ferran, Alfred Enoch, Max Irons, Calam Lynch, Phyllis Logan, Kevin McNally, and Liv Hill. Written by Andrea Gibb, all four episodes will be directed by Aisling Walsh and produced by Stella Merz.
