If you like period dramas and Miss Bridgerton, the BBC‘s newest show, Miss Austen, is a heartfelt look at love, loss, and family ties. The four-part drama, which you can watch on BBC One and iPlayer, tells the story of Cassandra Austen, Jane Austen’s older sister, and the brave choice she made to protect Jane’s legacy. The series moves smoothly between two time periods: Cassiopeia’s life in 1840 and her childhood with Jane. It’s a very emotional journey through happy times, sad times, and the things people give up for love.
Tom Fowle, played by Calam Lynch, is one of the show’s main characters. Tom was a simple curate and Cassandra’s fiancé. His untimely death has cast a long shadow over her life. But who was Tom Fowle, and how true to life is the character he is based on in Miss Austen? Let us look into Tom Fowle’s real life and the long-lasting link between him and Cassandra Austen.
WHO WAS TOM FOWLE IN MISS AUSTEN?
Tom Fowle is introduced in the show as a young curate who is deeply in love with young Cassandra (Cassy) Austen; who is played by Synnøve Karlsen. Their relationship is loving and full of hope and they have plans for a future together. But the realities of their time, like not having enough money and social pressures, force Tom to go on a dangerous journey to get it. Sadly, he dies of yellow fever while on this trip, which breaks Cassandra’s heart and makes her swear she will never marry another man. This important event changes her life and is echoed throughout the series, as Cassandra’s memories of Tom affect what she does in the “present” time.
Calam Lynch does a great job of showing how ambitious Tom is and how much he loves Cassandra. How much of this story is based on real events, though?
THE REAL-LIFE FIGURE OF TOM FOWLE
There was a Tom Fowle, and he was very important in Cassandra Austen’s life. Tom was born into the Fowle family in Kintbury. He was a friend of the Austens and the Fowles for a long time. He was engaged to Cassandra Austen, and their relationship was known to be based on love and shared goals.
It was common for men in Tom Fowle’s time to decide to try to make money in the West Indies. Because of the Napoleonic Wars, there weren’t many jobs available at home, so trips to faraway colonies were seen as a good way to make sure people had enough money to live on. These trips were unfortunately very dangerous, and Tom got yellow fever and died far from home. He was buried at sea. Cassandra was heartbroken when he died, and to honor their love, she never got married again.
TOM FOWLE’S IMPACT ON CASSANDRA AUSTEN
It is well known that Cassandra is sad about Tom Fowle’s death. She was about 20 years old when he died, and her loss had a big effect on her life. In a church, she made a solemn promise to never marry anyone else. She kept that promise until she died. In the Regency era, women were expected to live up to a lot of expectations, and this act of devotion shows how close they were.
Cassandra may have grown close to her sister Jane because of how painful it was to lose Tom. Jane relied on Cassandra a lot for emotional support and support, especially when things were tough. This relationship comes to life in Miss Austen where Cassandra’s love and loss add to the depth of her bond with Jane.
CONNECTIONS TO JANE AUSTEN’S WORK
Fans of Jane Austen’s books and historians have made guesses about how Tom Fowle and Cassandra’s breakup affected Jane’s writing. While it’s easy to see connections between Cassandra’s life and the romantic problems that Austen’s heroines face, experts say that this is not a good idea. Heather Thomas, Chair of The Jane Austen Society, says that while Cassandra’s life may have influenced some parts of Austen’s writing—it’s not a direct model for characters like Anne Elliot in Persuasion.
Instead, Austen’s books show different ways of looking at love, loss and the rules of society. Cassandra’s life may have given Jane emotional insight, but her real skill was creating diverse and unique heroines that readers of all times could relate to.
TOM FOWLE IN MISS AUSTEN: HISTORICAL ACCURACY
Miss Austen stays true to Tom Fowle’s story while adding dramatic touches to make it more powerful. The show shows the dangerous things men like Tom did to get ahead financially and; how those choices hurt their families deeply. The show shows how much his death has affected Cassandra’s life by incorporating his story into her memories.
The way Tom’s relationship with Cassandra is shown also shows how society pushed people around that time. For young couples like Cassandra and Tom, love was often tied to practical issues like making sure they had enough money and fitting in with their friends. Tom’s tragic journey is a powerful reminder of what people have given up to reach these goals.
WHAT CASSANDRA AND TOM LEFT BEHIND
People know how strong Cassandra is because she chose not to get married after Tom died. It shows how much she loved him. This choice in Miss Austen is shown to be both a personal sacrifice and an important part of who she is. By focusing on Cassandra’s journey—the show gives new insight into the history of the ‘Austen Family’ and how strong women can be when they lose someone close to them.
Another important part of the story is how the Fowle family is related to the Austens. The two families were lifelong friends and shared both happy and sad times. These friendships had an impact on both Jane and Cassandra’s lives. In the series, Cassandra’s return to Kintbury is a metaphor for coming home. It gives her a chance to face her past and protect Jane’s legacy.
Miss Austen writes a moving story about love, loss, and how strong family is over time. Tom Fowle is brought to life by Calam Lynch. The character’s historical background gives the series more truth and depth. People can learn about the problems women in the Regency era faced and the things they gave up for love through Cassandra’s memories.
The true story of Tom Fowle is a powerful reminder of how fragile life is and how strong the human spirit is. Miss Austen’s tribute to his life shows how powerful love can be and how important it is to remember the people who have shaped our lives.
You can learn more about Miss Austen and the interesting stories behind her characters at spikytv.com. Don’t miss the newest tips, sneak peeks, and summaries!
IS BBC’S MISS AUSTEN BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
