A great way to celebrate Women’s History Month 2025 is to look back at one of the world’s favorites. Fans of the late 18th century, early 19th century author Jane Austen–called Jane-ites–can look forward to a new TV mini-series about the celebrated author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma. As with Shakespeare some of the best interpretations and adaptations of her work can be found in the 20th and 21st centuries, including genre favorites like the comedy Clueless and the supernatural Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. PBS Masterpiece will be airing Miss Austen in May, based on a book by Gill Hornby, it tells a fictional story about Jane’s only sister Cassandra, played by Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes, Doctor Who, The Bank Job, Scoop, Mrs. Wilson, The Lady Vanishes, Tipping the Velvet), who is seeking letters written by Jane years after her death, before the public can learn possibly embarrassing information about the author.
Darkest Hour and Mickey 17’s Patsy Ferran plays Jane. Synnøve Karlsen (Last Night in Soho) plays young Cassandra in flashbacks. Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead, Spaced, Doctor Who, Harry Potter) plays sister-in-law Mary (Jane had six brothers). Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean, Life on Mars, Doctor Who, Supernatural) plays Jane’s father, Phyllis Logan (Guilt, Sea of Souls, Doctor Who) plays her mother, Rose Leslie (Morgan, Death on the Nile, Case Histories) plays the daughter of the reverend, and Tom Glenister (nephew of Hawes’ Ashes to Ashes co-star Philip Glenister) plays Jane’s fiancé.
Although her professional body of work was only six completed novels and two incomplete novels, Austen’s books continue to be taught, read, and studied. Janeites also won’t want to miss out on the Jane Austen Visual Encyclopedia, reviewed here at borg last year.
Look for Miss Austen on PBS Masterpiece with the first of four episodes airing in the States beginning May 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. Central. Look for the series in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg
