Miss Austen (2025) PBS Review: A Powerful Period Drama Worth Watching

MISS AUSTEN PBS REVIEW

Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen.
Credit(C) Robert Viglasky Photography

Happy endings don’t have to be the romantic fairytale happily ever after we all grew up with and dreamt about. Sometimes, a happy ending can present itself differently, and that’s the idea Miss Austen explores. The themes of sisterhood, love, and loss perfectly blend in the four-part PBS miniseries about Cassandra Austen (Keeley Hawes), who helped shape and preserve Jane Austen’s literary legacy while quietly hiding her own.

Beyond Jane Austen – Cassandra’s Story

Based on Gill Hornby’s lovely historical fiction novel, this beautiful adaptation tells the story of Cassandra Austen and reimagines why she burned her sister Jane Austen’s letters. The period drama flips back and forth between 1830 and the past, as an older Cassandra looks back over her relationship with Jane Austen from the 1790s to 1817 and contemplates her own life and that of her sister.

Cassandra Austen finally becomes the heroine, and this gentle yet compelling period drama captivated me from the start. Oh, and plan to have tissues on hand.

**Official Miss Austen Synopsis & Trailer:**

There are few things more fascinating or enduring than a real-life mystery. Miss Austen takes one of the most prominent literary mysteries in history – Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters – and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine.

In Miss Austen, the drama begins in 1830, many years after Jane has died. Cassandra rushes to visit Isabella, the niece of her long-dead fiancé, who is about to lose her home following her father’s death. Cassandra is ostensibly there to help Isabella, but her real motive is to find a hidden bundle of private letters which, in the wrong hands, she fears could destroy Jane’s reputation.

On discovering them, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she is transported back to her youth. In flashback, we meet Young Cassy and Jane as they navigate the romantic infatuations, family feuds and dashed hopes which shaped their lives, and laid the foundations for Jane’s unforgettable stories. Cassandra’s re-evaluation of her past eventually leads her to find a way to guide Isabella towards the path of true happiness.

Sisterhood, Grief, and Legacy

The foundation of Miss Austen explores the significance of sisterly love, loss, sacrifice, and devotion. However, it also touches on the challenges women faced in a society where they had no real power, particularly as single women longing for independence and the ability to pursue creative ambitions.

As the story follows Cassandra more than a decade after Jane Austen’s passing, her grief is also central to the story, not just grief over losing Jane but grief over losing her fiancé, Tom Fowle, and more.

A Standout Performance From Keeley Hawes

Keeley Hawes is no stranger to period dramas, and here she excels again as the willful, intelligent, and loyal Cassandra. Her nuanced performance shapes the entire miniseries, and it’s hard not to be drawn to her charisma and to feel her emotions. From love to anger to grief to kindness to irritation, she brings a layered understanding to the overlooked Austen sister with various sentiments.

Cassy Austen (Synnøve Karlsen) and Jane Austen (Patsy Ferran) in Miss Austen — *Cassy Austen (Synnøve Karlsen) and Jane Austen (Patsy Ferran). Photo Courtesy of WGBH/PBS.*

The rest of the cast is also strong. As Jane Austen, Patsy Ferran has the wit, intelligence, and likability necessary for the iconic role and portrays Austen with depth and uniqueness. Synnove Karlsen, as Cassy Austen (the younger version of Cassandra), is uncannily similar to Hawes in her performance and appearance, and it’s easy to imagine they are the same person at different ages.

Rose Leslie also shines as Cassandra’s family friend, Isabella Fowle, a “spinster” needing to make difficult choices after her father’s passing.

And then there’s Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen, who will enrage you, annoy you, and make you cry in surprising ways.

The rest of the cast includes numerous standouts: Phyllis Logan and Kevin McNally as Mrs. and Mr. Austen (the actors are married in real life); Alfred Enoch as Mr. Lidderdale; Mirren Mack as Dinah; Max Irons as Henry Hobday; Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle, and many more.

**Is Miss Austen Historically Accurate?**

Now, as Miss Austen is based on a historical fiction novel and explores a long-held literary mystery about why Cassandra Austen destroyed Jane’s letters, it goes without saying that liberties are taken regarding historical accuracy.

Still, some of the Miss Austen series is historically accurate, while other parts are fictionalized. After all, this is a “what if” scenario, albeit with strong research behind it, at least as far as Cassandra’s reasoning for destroying the letters goes.

Most characters are based on real people (although Henry Hobday is fictional, but inspired by truth), and many events are real, such as Cassandra’s fiancé Tom Fowle dying.

Overall, Miss Austen relies on strong historical research and incorporates some fictional elements to tell a compelling story.

A Period Drama for Romantic Souls

Miss Austen wouldn’t be a drama about Jane Austen without some romantic elements. The miniseries has a romantic tone, aesthetic visuals, and costumes, and it appeals to viewers who love period dramas with some Romanticism and emotionally rich storytelling.

The series also includes compelling romances:

Cassandra Austen and Tom Fowle – albeit brief and tragic.
Henry Hobday and Cassandra Austen – a bittersweet love story.
Isabella Fowle and Mr. Lidderdale, who married in real life.

Ultimately, however, the main “love story” is about the love and devotion between sisters Cassandra and Jane. It is really quite beautiful to watch.

Overall Thoughts: A Quietly Beautiful Watch

Rose Leslie as Isabella, Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen, Mirren Mack as Dinah, and Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen.
Credit(C) Robert Viglasky Photography

Overall, if you’re a fan of Jane Austen, Miss Austen is a must-watch period drama that explores the lives of Cassandra and Jane Austen. And while some viewers may find it slow, I found it to be a quietly beautiful watch that emotionally resonated with me from start to finish.

The interpretation and portrayal of Jane and Cassandra Austen will stay with me for years to come. If you enjoy romantic period dramas, Jane Austen films, or well-researched historical fiction novels, this is the series for you.

And good news, Miss Austen has just been renewed for season two. Read all the details here: Miss Austen Season 2: PBS Announces New Season Is Coming

Where to Watch: You can watch on PBS or stream on the PBS app (PBS Passport) and the PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel.

Content Note: PG