First look at BBC’s star-studded new period drama with A-list cast including Line of Duty star
THE BBC has given viewers a peek behind the scenes of its new period drama Miss Austen, which features an all-star cast – not least a Line of Duty star.
Keeley Hawes stars as Cassandra Austen in the film – hot off the heels of Scoop.
The star-studded BBC adaptation of Gill Hornby’s much-loved novel is expected to air next year on the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
The new pictures show the star-studded cast for the first time and reveal an insight into what will come for excited fans.
Meanwhile, other talents include Rose Leslie from Game of Thrones as Isabella Fowle, Phyllis Logan from Downtown Abbey, Calam Lynch from Bridgerton, and Alfred Enoch from Harry Potter.
Also pictured are Synnøve Karlsen (Last Night in Soho, Clique), Patsy Ferran (Living, Hot Milk), Max Irons (Condor, The Wife), and Liv Hill (The Serpent Queen, Elizabeth Is Missing).
Viewers can also see Jessica Hynes (Life After Life, Years and Years), Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest) and Kevin McNally (The Crown, Ten Percent).
The four-part drama reimagines the literary mystery of Catherine Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters.
BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb has adapted the story for the screen.
The story starts in 1830, sometime after Jane’s death, while Cassandra (Keeley Hawes) rushes to see her friend Isabella (Rose Leslie), who is about to lose her home following her father’s death.
Although Cassandra is seemingly there to help her friend.
But her real motive is to locate a stash of private letters that could destroy Jane’s reputation if in the wrong hands.
However, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she remembers her youth upon finding them.
Flashbacks introduce viewers to Young Cassy and Jane (Patsy Ferran) while Cassandra’s reminiscing helps her realise her blindness to the real cause of Isabella’s heartache.
Bonnie Productions also produce Miss Austen for Masterpiece in the US.
The series is directed by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Elizabeth is Missing) and produced by Stella Merz (Gentleman Jack, Renegade Nell).
BBC crime dramas
The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.
Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.
- Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.
- Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.
- Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.
- Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.
- Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.
- Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.
- Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.
- Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.
- Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.
- Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.
- Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.
- New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.
- Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.
- Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.
- The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.
- Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.
- Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.