Miss Austen stars TV sweetheart Keeley Hawes as the less famous sister Cassandra, who famously burned her sibling Jane's letters - so what's the plot about, who else is in the cast, and is it based on a book?

The new BBC series takes us back to the 1800s when the Austen family lived in Hampshire. It marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth in 1775.

Based on a best-selling novel of the same name, the plot focuses on the literary mystery that has long puzzled biographers and academics... Here's everything you need to know about Miss Austen on BBC One, including start date, cast, location, and what novel it's based on...

What is Miss Austen on BBC One about?

Miss Austen centres on the literary mystery of Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane's letters. The series "reimagines it as a heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine".

The drama begins in 1830, many years after Jane has died. We see Cassandra rushing to visit Isabella, the niece of her long-dead fiancé, who is about to lose her home following her father's death.

A synopsis tells us: "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..."

Who is in the cast?

Popular TV actress Keeley Hawes portrays Cassandra Austen, giving viewers a glimpse into her bond with and loyalty to her sister, Jane. Of course, Keeley is best known for playing Zoe Reynolds in Spooks, DI Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes, Lindsay Denton in Line of Duty, and Louisa Durrell in The Durrells.

Rose Leslie portrays family friend Isabella, the niece of Cassandra's long-dead fiancé. The Scottish actress is famous for playing Ygritte in Game of Thrones, Maia Rindell in The Good Fight, and Kirsten Longacre in Vigil.

Norwegian Scottish actress Synnøve Karlsen portrays a young Cassy. She's probably best known for playing Holly McStay in Clique, and Clarice in Medici. Coincidentally, Synnøve also played Keeley Hawes' troubled daughter Cassie Stone in The Midwich Cuckoos.

Patsy Ferran will play Jane Austen in flashbacks. She's played Mercy in Jamestown, and Pamela in Life After Life.

The cast of Miss Austen also includes Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan as Mrs Austen, Condor's Max Irons as Henry Hobday, Foundation's Alfred Enoch as Mr Lidderdale, and W1A's Jessica Hynes as Mary.

Lastly, Strike's Mirren Mack plays Dinah, The Crown's Kevin McNally is Mr Austen, Sweetpea's Calam Lynch is Tom Fowle, and The Serpent Queen's Liv Hill stars as Mary Austen.

How can I watch Miss Austen?

The new BBC series will launch on Sunday, February 02, 2025, with all episodes on BBC iPlayer from 6am.

Although all episodes will land as a boxset on the Sunday, old school viewers who can bear the wait can watch every Sunday throughout February.

Is it based on a book?

Miss Austen is adapted from Gill Hornby's best-selling novel of the same name.

The book focuses on Cassandra Austen's decision to burn her sister Jane's countless letters.

After Jane's death, Cassandra faced a stark choice: should she act to protect Jane's reputation, or leave the contents of the letters to go unguarded into posterity?

The book synopsis reads: "Based on a literary mystery that has long puzzled biographers and academics, Miss Austen is a wonderfully original and emotionally complex novel about the loves and lives of Cassandra and Jane Austen."

Stylist called it "the perfect book to wrap yourself around on a dark night", while Sunday Times said: "Celebrates unexamined lives, sisterhood and virtues such as kindness and loyalty."

Miss Austen has been adapted for television by BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth is Missing, Mayflies).

How many episodes is it?

Miss Austen on BBC One and iPlayer is a four-part drama. Each episode will be one hour long.

If you wanted to binge it as a boxset, that's not much longer than the recently Oscar-nominated film Brutalist. But much more palatable.

Where was Miss Austen filmed?

The series wrapped production last year in and around the home counties.

Jane Austen was famously born in Steventon, Hampshire, and mostly stayed in and around Hampshire throughout her life.

She spent her last eight years of life in Chawton, and eventually died in Winchester when she was just 41.

Miss Austen starts on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Sunday, February 02, 2025 at 9pm.