BBC acquires Masterpiece period drama ‘Miss Austen’

Miss Austen (Pic credit: Robert Viglasky)

UK pubcaster the BBC has acquired Miss Austen, an adaptation of Gill Hornby’s novel, which being produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece in the US.

Federation Studios is distributing the 4 x 50-minute series, from writer Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth Is Missing, Mayflies), which started filming in the UK last month and is directed by Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Elizabeth is Missing) and produced by Stella Merz (Gentleman Jack, Renegade Nell).

Miss Austen takes a literary mystery – Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters – and reimagines it as a heart-breaking story of sisterly love.

Set in 1830, after the death of her famous author sister Jane, 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.

The newly announced cast also includes Patsy Ferran, Jessica Hynes, Mirren Mack, Phyllis Logan, Kevin McNally and Max Irons. Executive producers are Christine Langan for Bonnie Productions, Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece and Polly Williams for Federation Stories. Hawes, Gibb and Walsh are also executive producers.

Sue Deeks, head of BBC programme acquisition, said: “Miss Austen is the perfect blend of intriguing mystery, vivid and engaging characters and beguiling period charm – BBC viewers certainly have a treat in store.”