Limited Series – Miss Austen

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K A Based on Gill Hornsby's novel about Jane Austen's life and her family. The story is told from her sister, Cassandra's perspective. In real life, Cassandra burned most of Jane's letters after her death so the letters are fictional. But they seem to have the spirit of Jane and what we know of her family. I enjoyed the story, the scenery and the costumes. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/06/25 Full Review Lucas G I lost interest very fast. I have read everything of Jane Austen including her letters to her sister, and the writing is really lame. On top of it there is this modern approach that was constantly taking me out of the period and mistakes that made no sense. Like why is she reading letters that supposedly tell events where both recipients where present? Why do they dress exsctly the same style in moments that happened decades apart? A black surgeon too lol… It is a show more for Bridgerton fans and not very demanding people, not for true Austen lovers. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/11/25 Full Review Lady C Too much crying, not enough laughter. Excellent performances, and clever referencing of Jane Austen's characters and plots, but ultimately you're left with the same hunger for more of the author's wit that might have led you to watch in the first place, and to agree with the script's defiant self-critique: "Everything one needs to know about Jane Austen is found within the pages of her novels". Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Stephen C 4 episodes based on a true story. Some material may be unsuitable for younger audiences!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/04/25 Full Review Debbra W I found it beautiful and fun, like sitting next to a glow of a candle in the dark Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/10/25 Full Review Lucy M This is a really good adaptation of the novel by Gill Hornby, which explores the relationship between Jane and Cassandra Austen, why Cassandra never married and why she burned Jane's letters after her death. Although largely imagined, the characters are real life personages and the story has been carefully researched. I wasn't initially convinced by the novel, but this adaptation actually does it better and makes a very plausible story. The writing, casting and acting is excellent - especially Patsy Ferran as Jane and Synnove Karlsen as the young Cassandra. Keeley Hawes is good too of course, but some of the "present day" scenes (1830s-40s) drag a bit and are not as interesting as the extensive flashbacks. Once we're in Regency times with Jane and Cassandra and their various suitors, it's utterly enthralling. The "present day" romance between Isabella (Rose Leslie) and the doctor falls a bit flat. However, Max Irons shines as Henry Hobday, a fictionalised but possible love interest for Cassandra. As this is a joint production between PBS Masterpiece and the BBC, I can't help but think that this is PBS wishing to apologise to Austen fans all over the world for the debacle that was Sanditon, particularly the second and third seasons, which were an embarrassment. And perhaps also an apology to Max Irons, who was due to star as Sidney Parker in a film version of Sanditon, which was unfortunately shelved due to the PBS / ITV series. If only the BBC had been involved in that, we might have had something of the quality of this excellent series. Well worth watching for Austen fans and history buffs alike. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Miss Austen — Limited Series

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