A TRAILER for BBC’s star-studded new period drama features a Line of Duty star in a brand new role.
Four-part drama Miss Austen is adapted from Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel of the same name.
The BBC have released a trailer for a star-studded period drama[/caption]
The show adapts a best-selling novel of the same name[/caption]
Cast members include Keeley Hawes and Rose Leslie[/caption]
Keeley Hawes portrays the role of Cassandra Austen, whose actions are reimagined as a form of sisterly love.
The BBC has announced Miss Austen will launch on Sunday 2 February, with all episodes on BBC iPlayer from 6am.
As well as this, the series will be beginning its weekly BBC One transmission that evening.
Its premise originates from a literary mystery – Cassandra burning her famous younger sister Jane’s letters.
Viewers may also recognise Keeley from her work in Spooks, The Durrells and Ashes to Ashes, among others.
In Miss Austen, the audience gets a glimpse into the sisters’ bond and loyalty.
The trailer shows a young Cassandra (Synnøve Karlsen) and young Jane (Patsy Ferran) in flashback form.
Meanwhile, the story itself begins in 1830 – many years after Jane’s death – with Cassandra rushing to visit Isabella (Rose Leslie), her long-dead fiancé’s niece.
Isabella is on the verge of losing her home following her father’s death.
Although Cassandra is seemingly there to help, the real reason is to uncover a hidden bundle of private letters.
She fears these may destroy her sister Jane’s reputation, if in the wrong hands.
Having found the letters, Cassandra is overwhelmed and “transported” back to her younger days.
In addition, the cast features Phyllis Logan from Downton Abbey, Calam Lynch from Bridgerton, and Alfred Enoch from Harry Potter.
Further cast members are Max Irons, Jessica Hynes, Mirren Mack, Kevin McNally and Liv Hill.
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Keeley Hawes’ career so far
By Conor O’Brien
With a career spanning over three decades, viewers have seen Keeley Hawes play a variety of roles.
Here’s a look at some of her most notable performances.
- Spooks (2002-2004): Keeley played case officer Zoe Reynolds in the popular BBC spy drama. In 2004, she married co-star Matthew Macfadyen.
- Ashes to Ashes (2008-2010): This fantasy crime drama was a continuation of the popular Life on Mars. Keeley portrayed DI Alex Drake, a newcomer to the wider story across the two shows.
- Line of Duty (2014-2016): She took on the role of DI Lindsay Denton in Jed Mercurio’s acclaimed police procedural. The character was part of the Missing Persons Unit.
- The Durrells (2016-2019): Keeley played a real-life person, Louisa Durrell, in this ITV period drama. Louisa was the mother of famous naturalist Gerald Durrell. The show depicts the family moving to Corfu in 1935.
- Bodyguard (2018): Re-teaming with Jed Mercurio, this political thriller saw Keeley star opposite Richard Madden. The plot followed a British Army veteran suffering with PTSD, who is assigned to protect an ambitious Home Secretary – with the two having differing political views.
- Orphan Black: Echoes (2024): This science-fiction thriller was set in the year 2052 – same as the smash hit series Orphan Black. Keeley’s character, Dr Kira Manning, is the daughter of Sarah Manning, protagonist of the original series.
In America, the series will air on MASTERPIECE on PBS from Sunday 4 May.
Miss Austen has been adapted for television by BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb.
Adding to the star power, BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh serves as director.
Miss Austen debuts on BBC One and iPlayer from Sunday 2 February.