KEELEY Hawes (It’s A Sin, Bodyguard, Line of Duty) leads the cast in a star-studded BBC adaptation of a much-loved novel.
The Beeb has acquired Miss Austen, a four-part drama which reimagines the literary mystery of Catherine Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters.
From Gill Hornby’s 2020 novel of the same name, BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb has adapted the story for the screen.
Joining Keeley in the all-star cast are Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Vigil), Patsy Ferran (Living, Hot Milk), Jessica Hynes (Life After Life, Years and Years) and Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest).
The ensemble also includes Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan, The Crown actor Kevin McNally and Harry Potter alum Alfred Enoch.
BAFTA-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh takes the helm as director for the drama.
The story starts in 1830, some time 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, her real motive is to locate a stash of private letters which could destroy Jane’s reputation if in the wrong hands.
Upon finding them, however, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she remembers her youth.
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.
Miss Austen is also produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece in the US.
Lead actress Keeley Hawes is also known for her roles in BBC series Spooks and ITV comedy-drama The Durrells.
She has been married to Succession actor Matthew Macfadyen, who played Tom Wambsgans, since 2004.
Keeley’s role in Miss Austen comes amid her role in the biographical drama film Scoop, released on April 5 on Netflix.
It is a dramatic retelling of how the the 2019 BBC television interview of Prince Andrew was secured and filmed.
As well as Keeley, the film also stars Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper and Rufus Sewell.