Keeley Hawes transforms into Miss Austen for new BBC period drama

The BBC has unveiled plans for a major period drama featuring Keeley Hawes. The Line of Duty star is set to portray Jane Austen's sister, Cassandra, in the star-studded production Miss Austen, based on Gill Hornby's novel of the same name.

The four-part drama is slated for release on BBC One in 2025, marking 250 years since the renowned author's birth.

The series also features Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie and Jessica Hynes, and is set many years after Jane's death. It kicks off in 1830, spotlighting Cassandra as she grapples with her late sister's legacy and aids the niece of her deceased fiance in finding 'true' love.

The official synopsis for the BBC series discloses that the first episode will see Cassandra rushing to aid her young friend Isabella (Rose), who is on the brink of losing her home following her father's death. Her father was Cassandra's former fiance, who passed away many years ago.

However, Cassandra assists Isabella with a hidden agenda - she's on a mission to locate a collection of private letters from her late sister Jane, which could potentially tarnish her reputation if found. After locating the letters, Cassandra becomes overwhelmed and flashbacks depict her in her youth, alongside her sister Jane (Patsy Ferran) as they share their own personal tales of love, disputes and lost relationships that served as the inspiration for the author's iconic novels, reports the Mirror.

Filming for the new series kicked off in November last year under the direction of BAFTA award-winning Aisling Walsh. Keeley Hawes has a special link to Jane Austen; her husband Matthew Macfadyen portrayed Mr Darcy in the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice.

Matthew, known for his role in Succession, was cast as the charming Mr Darcy in Joe Wright's acclaimed adaptation, opposite Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Bennett. Earlier this year, he opened up about feeling "miscast" and not fully enjoying the experience during an interview with CBS Mornings.

"I didn't really [enjoy it]," he admitted. "I feel bad saying that. There were moments I had a good time, but I wish I enjoyed it more. I wish I was less worried about it."

He also shared that he and Colin Firth, who famously played Mr Darcy in the BBC series, extensively discussed their portrayals.

Jokingly, he added: "I felt a bit miscast, like, 'I'm not dishy enough.' But it worked out."

Miss Austen is due to air on the BBC in 2025