The upcoming BBC drama "Miss Austen" offers viewers not just storytelling, but also the rich visual experience of English countryside life and its historic estates. While it is not directly based on Jane Austen's own novels, the series delves deep, reimagining the tumultuous literary history surrounding the infamous burning of Austen's letters by her sister, Cassandra. Starring Keeley Hawes as Cassandra, the four-part series traverses through two timelines, illustrating the complex bond between the Austen sisters and their impact on one another’s legacy.
Filming commenced in November 2023, making the most out of the picturesque settings of London and the southeast of England. Synnøve Karlsen, another standout in the cast, shared insights from the production, stating, "We shot in West London near Kew Gardens, and all around London... beautiful, big homes..." These stately homes brought authenticity to the drama, offering glimpses of both Jane and Cassandra’s life. One significant shooting location was Kintbury. The site of the Old Rectory, where historical moments unfolded, served as the epicenter for many scenes depicting the sisters' lives.
Rye also played a notable role, representing Sidmouth – a coastal town significant to Jane Austen's narratives. "We had a week in Rye... it was absolutely freezing!" said Karlsen, recalling the challenges of filming seaside scenes amid chilly weather. This location allowed the production team to capture the essence of their summer picnics, which juxtaposed the actual winter chills the cast faced during filming.
The film exploits various locales like Chawton, unfortunately marked by the absence of the home of young Jane. This village embodies one of Austen's most prolific writing periods, producing timeless stories like "Emma" and "Persuasion". The current Jane Austen Museum attracts admirers to the setting where she and Cassandra made significant literary history. Producer Stella Merz highlighted, "It was only when she moved to Chawton... she had a room of her own to write"—demonstrably pivotal for Austen’s creative output.
The series is reconstructed to give genuine insights not only through actors' performances but also by selecting sites reflecting Jane Austen's true social standing. With the use of Adwell House and Shottesbrooke House, which substituted for the Austen family's home, producers ensured the details remained authentic to the period without appearing opulent. The choice to feature middle-class settings over grand estates sends powerful messages about the day-to-day life of women during the Georgian era.
Executive producer Christine Langan articulated the importance of these spaces, noting, "Houses feature largely in Jane’s novels... this period was very insecure..." These remarks resonate with the drama's overarching themes. The varied locations utilized pay homage to the reality faced by women like Jane and Cassandra, often feeling unmoored and insecure after the death of their father.
"Miss Austen" promises viewers visual nostalgia packed with stitch-perfect costumes, dazzling cinematography, and genuine performances reflective of the time period. The series, airing on BBC One and iPlayer starting February 2, 2025, is poised to be part of the grand celebration surrounding the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Coupled with its premiere on PBS’s Masterpiece series from May 4, it’s set to accentuate the celebration of Austen’s legacy worldwide.
The anticipation surrounding the show reflects the public's perennial fascination with Jane Austen’s life and works. Opinions are varied yet primarily laudatory, with reviews branding it "gorgeous and gripping" and celebrating the well-rounded exploration of sisterhood and the balance between personal loss and the pursuit of legacy. The success of this production didn’t spring from just its script but from crafting rich, reflective locations where history feels tangible.
With "Miss Austen," the BBC aims not only to honor one of England’s literary giants but also to transform the screen with vivid eyewitness accounts of history told through the places Jane and her family inhabited. The blend of fiction and historical accounts coupled with the eye-catching English landscapes promises to capture viewers' attention and reignite interest in the timeless works of Jane Austen.