Keeley Hawes Leads Star-Studded Cast in BBC's Miss Austen Adaptation

Period drama fans are in for a right treat this week as Miss Austen comes to our screens.

The freshly developed four-part series is based on the same-titled novel penned by Gill Hornby, delving into the narrative of Cassandra, Jane Austen’s sibling.

For literature enthusiasts, it’s common knowledge that Jane Austen’s letters were destroyed by her sister, an event infamous in literary circles. However, this upcoming series offers a fresh perspective, portraying the events as a “fascinating, witty, and heartbreaking tale of sisterly affection.

In 1830, long after Jane has passed away, Cassandra, portrayed by Keeley Hawes, makes a hurried trip to see Isabella (Rose Leslie), the niece of her deceased betrothed, who faces homelessness due to her father’s demise.

As Cassandra assists Isabella, her primary objective is to unearth a covert collection of confidential letters from Jane, which could potentially damage the writer’s professional standing.

In this production, Hawes portrays the older version of Cassandra, whereas Synnøve Karlsen takes on the role of her younger self, who is fondly called Cassy.

The cast shines brightly with famous faces, but who else appears in “Miss Austen”? Keep reading to find out all the details.

Miss Austen cast: Full list of characters and actors in BBC drama

The complete roster of actors in Miss Austen is provided below. Keep reading to discover the traits and backgrounds of each character, as well as where these performers might be familiar from their previous roles.

Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen
Synnøve Karlsen as Young Cassy
Patsy Ferran as Jane Austen
Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle
Mirren Mack as Dinah
Phyllis Logan as Mrs Austen
Kevin McNally as Mr Austen
Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen
Alfred Enoch as Mr Lidderdale
Max Irons as Henry Hobday
Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle

Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen

Who is Cassandra Austen? She lives independently, content in her solitude, despite opportunities for love and family. We encounter her as she hastens to Kintbury, a family friend’s residence, with the intention of assisting Isabella. However, her primary objective is to discover and recover letters that her cherished sister Jane had penned long ago.

Have you recognized Keeley Hawes from any other productions? Here are some shows she’s been prominent in: Spooks, Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty, Bodyguard. She has also appeared in The Midwich Cuckoos with Karlsen, Crossfire, Stonehouse and Orphan Black: Echoes.

Synnøve Karlsen as Young Cassy

Who is Young Cassy? We delve into the early years of Cassandra, affectionately known as “Young Cassy”, a vibrant young girl brimming with dreams and love, her future full of promise, until her fiancé fails to return from an expedition. Despite this heartbreaking event, she remains a dedicated supporter of Jane’s and we witness how their lives influence the author’s work.

Have you come across Synnøve Karlsen in any of these productions: BBC’s Clique, Netflix’s Bodies, Last Night in Soho, Medici, or The Midwich Cuckoos? She played the role of Hawes’s on-screen daughter in some of them.

Patsy Ferran as Jane Austen

Who was Jane Austen? Ferran referred to her as a “lively, intricate, and remarkable woman.” In addition to being a renowned author, she is best recognized for novels like Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and Mansfield Park. However, in Miss Austen, we delve into the author as the witty, complex, and sometimes critical younger sister of Cassy’s.

Have I encountered Patsy Ferran in any other productions aside from theatre?

Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle

Isabella Fowle can be described as the youngest sister among three, who has been taking care of her ailing father. She writes a letter to Cassandra to inform her about this situation. Interestingly, Cassandra was almost part of the Fowle family through a potential marriage, which prompts her immediate visit to Kintbury. However, Isabella is dealing with some personal issues as well.

Have you recognized Rose Leslie from any previous roles? She is widely recognized for her characters Ygritte in Game of Thrones, Gwen Dawson in Downton Abbey, and Clare in The Time Traveler’s Wife. She has also appeared in The Good Fight, Vigil, and Luther.

Mirren Mack as Dinah

Who is Dinah? She is a devoted servant of Isabella’s, having developed a strong bond with her over time. Due to this close relationship, Dinah is quite guardian towards her. After the passing of Isabella’s father, Dinah becomes concerned about her future and may not initially welcome Cassandra into their lives.

Have you recognized Mirren Mack from any previous roles? She’s been in The Witcher: Blood Origin, Sex Education, and The Nest. More recently, she’s been featured in Mary & George, Dalgliesh, and The Doll Factory.

Phyllis Logan as Mrs Austen

Mrs. Austen, as you may know, is the mother of Jane and Cassy. She is consistently beaming with pride for Cassy but has concerns for Jane that surface frequently. Despite these apprehensions, she continues to stand behind both of her beloved daughters unwaveringly.

Have I encountered Phyllis Logan in some other show or movie before? She is famously recognized for her roles such as Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey, Lady Jane Felsham in Lovejoy, and Maggie Lynch in Guilt. Additionally, she has been featured in The Good Karma Hospital, Secrets & Lies, Doctor Who, and numerous other TV and film projects.

Kevin McNally as Mr Austen

Who exactly is Mr. Austen? He is the loving father of Jane and Cassy, who wholeheartedly supports both his daughters, regardless of their luck in finding a husband. Yet, when Mr. Austen himself becomes unwell, it creates turmoil within the entire family.

Have I encountered Kevin McNally in any movies or television shows before? He has appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, as well as Stonehouse, The Crown, Unforgotten, The Outpost and TURN: Washington’s Spies.

Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen

Who is Mary Austen? Mary is the wife of James Austen, the brother of Jane and Cassandra. In the current timeframe, she is eagerly searching for the letters that Jane wrote to her sister Eliza with the intention of publishing additional material related to the Austen family history. However, it’s Cassandra who needs to locate those letters first.

Have you come across Jessica Hynes in any of her previous roles? She’s best known for co-creating, writing, and acting in Spaced, and also for her roles in Years and Years, W1A, There She Goes, Twenty Twelve. Additionally, she has acted in The Franchise, Am I Being Unreasonable?, Outsiders, and The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.

Alfred Enoch as Mr Lidderdale

Inquiring about Mr. Lidderdale, we find that he is the local physician in Kintbury. He has a history with the Fowle family that unfolds over subsequent episodes. Despite his rise in social status due to his profession, he faces prejudice and misjudgment because he is of mixed race, being the son of a servant, in this small village.

Have you recognized Alfred Enoch from his previous works? He is most famously known for playing Wes Gibbins on How to Get Away with Murder and Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter movies. Additionally, he has appeared in shows like Foundation, The Couple Next Door, and This Is Christmas.

Max Irons as Henry Hobday

Who is Henry Hobday? He is a man who is exceptionally knowledgeable about subjects ranging from science to philosophy, and he happens to be Cassy’s love interest. Their paths cross unexpectedly, but it doesn’t take long for them to become mutually attracted.

Have you encountered Max Irons in any of his previous works such as “Condor”, “The Wife”, “The White Queen”, “The Riot Club” or “Red Riding Hood”?

Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle

As a cinephile, I’ve come across a captivating character named Tom Fowle in my movie journey. He’s more than just Cassy’s initial sweetheart; he’s the man who eventually becomes her fiancé. The Austen family has known him for quite some time before he pops the question to their eldest daughter. Yet, their love tale isn’t a simple one as he’s abruptly called away on an urgent expedition just after his proposal.

Have you recognized Calam Lynch from any previous productions? Some of his notable roles include those in Bridgerton, Sweetpea, Mrs Wilson and Archie. Additionally, he has been featured in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Derry Girls and Benediction.

2025-02-02 10:35

Keeley Hawes Leads Star-Studded Cast in BBC’s Miss Austen Adaptation