The new drama on the BBC called Miss Austen is a heartfelt look back at the time of Jane Austen. Jane Austen is known for writing classic books but Miss Austen is about her older sister Cassandra and tells a story of love, loss—and family bonds that has never been told before. The series mixes fact and fiction to tell an interesting story about a mystery that has been bothering historians for years: why did Cassandra Austen burn so many of Jane’s letters after she died?
As Miss Austen goes on, it looks at two different times: one in 1840, a long time after Jane’s death, and one in the past, showing how close the sisters were. The show shows Cassandra’s emotional journey as she tries to decide whether to keep her sister’s letters or throw them away. But how much of Miss Austen’s writing is based on real events? Let’s look into the real history that this story is based on.
THE TRUE STORY BEHIND MISS AUSTEN
If you want to know if Miss Austen is based on a true story, the short answer is “yes and no.” The series gets its ideas from Gill Hornby‘s book Miss Austen, which mixes real events with made-up ones. Some letters from Cassandra Austen to her sister were burned—which is a fact that is at the heart of the story. Historians have long argued over why she did; what she did. Some people think it was to keep Jane’s privacy or reputation safe, while others think it could have been an act of grief.
Hornby thought about what might have made Cassandra make her choice in Miss Austen and used her knowledge of the Austen family’s history to make up a story about what happened. The show’s writer, Andrea Gibb, said that they carefully used known historical facts to create an interesting and emotional story about sisterhood and loyalty.
THE LINK BETWEEN JANE AND CASSANDRA
The love story between Jane and Cassandra is what Miss Austen is all about. The sisters lived together their whole lives and were never apart. They were very close because they were the only girls in a family of eight boys. They often wrote letters to each other when they were apart. Many of these letters were sadly destroyed by Cassandra after Jane died in 1817. This has led historians and Jane Austen fans to wonder what secrets they might have held.
Cassandra was a good watercolor painter in her spare time, and she was once engaged to a young priest named Thomas Fowle. Thomas died of yellow fever while on an expedition, which broke Cassandra’s heart. She never got married because she loved her family so much, especially her younger sister Jane.
Chawton, Thursday Feby 4
My dear Cassandra,
Your letter was truly welcome, and I am much obliged to you all for your praise; it came at a right time, for I had had some fits of disgust. Our second evening’s reading to Miss Benn had not pleased me so well, but I believe something must be attributed to my mother’s too rapid way of getting on: and though she perfectly understands the characters herself, she cannot speak as they ought. Upon the whole, however, I am quite vain enough and well satisfied enough. The work is rather too light, and bright, and sparkling; it wants shade; it wants to be stretched out here and there with a long chapter of sense, if it could be had; if not, of solemn specious nonsense, about something unconnected with the story; an essay on writing, a critique on Walter Scott, or the history of Buonaparte, or anything that would form a contrast, and bring the reader with increased delight to the playfulness and epigrammatism of the general style. Read More..
WHY DID CASSANDRA BURN THE LETTERS?
Cassandra’s choice to throw away Jane’s letters is one of the main mysteries in Miss Austen. According to the show, Cassandra wanted to keep Jane’s legacy safe. People said that the letters were full of deeply personal thoughts, raw emotions, and honest opinions about the people in their lives. Cassandra may have been afraid that these writings would hurt Jane’s reputation at a time when women’s reputations were already weak.
However, others have speculated that Cassandra’s act was driven by grief and a desire to hold on to her sister’s memory in a private way. Historians only have pieces of Jane’s life because she didn’t write many letters—which makes it hard to fully understand her personal experiences.
“There’s something about this story that opens up Jane Austen’s world in a new way,” said Andrea Gibb about the show. The book shows not only her relationship with her sister, but also the deeper feelings of the author we know as one of the best in history.
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FOWLES AND THE AUSTENS
As they were in real life, the Fowle family is very important in Miss Austen. Cassandra was engaged to Tom Fowle, the brother of Fulwar Fowle, the patriarch of the Fowle family. Because of this link, the Austens and Fowles became friends for life. In the show, Cassandra goes back to Kintbury, where the Fowle family lives, to get Jane’s letters before the house is sold.
This trip sets off the flashbacks that show how the sisters have both been through love, loss, and creativity. People can learn more about the sisters’ relationship and the events that shaped their lives by looking at these memories.
WHO WAS CASSANDRA AUSTEN?
Cassandra was Jane’s older sister and the person she talked to the most. Cassandra, who was born in 1773, loved books as much as Jane did and always backed her writing career. As Jane’s books became more popular, Cassandra stayed out of the way—giving her emotional support and practical help.
Jane had short-lived romantic interests, but Cassandra’s engagement to Thomas Fowle was a serious one. She was devastated when he died too soon, and she never looked for love again. Instead, she worked hard to keep her sister’s memory alive.
HOW JANE AUSTEN DIED AND THE MYSTERY OF HER ILLNESS
Jane Austen died in 1817. She was 41 years old. The cause of her death is still being discussed by medical professionals today. At first, it was thought that she had Addison’s disease or cancer, but newer theories say she may have had lupus. Some people even think arsenic was used to poison her.
Jane kept writing until the end of her life, even though her health was getting worse. Sanditon, her last book, was left unfinished.
MISS AUSTEN: A NEW VERSION OF THE STORY
Miss Austen is based on real events—but it is also a reimagining of what might have happened. The show mixes historical facts with fiction to make a story that is both emotional and thought-provoking. In this beautifully crafted story—Patsy Ferran plays Jane Austen and Synnøve Karlsen plays Cassandra.
The play not only shows what happened in Cassandra’s life, but it also makes people think about the problems women had in the early 1800s. It looks at family, love, loss, and the things women did for each other during that time.
Miss Austen gives a new view of Jane Austen’s life and work—highlighting a woman who has been ignored by history many times. People can imagine the parts of Jane Austen’s life that haven’t been told and the lasting power of sisterhood through Cassandra’s story.
You can find out more about Miss Austen and other exciting period dramas at spikytv.com. Watch out for sneak peeks, recaps, and the newest news!
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