Miss Austen

Miss Austen delves into the weight of memory and sacrifice, focusing on Cassandra Austen's effort to preserve her sister's legacy. Through complex time shifts and emotional depth, the story depicts a kinship between Jane and Cassandra that goes beyond written words. Cassandra's decision to burn Jane's letters is not only destructive, but also devotional, emphasizing the difficulties endured by those who remain behind. Keeley Hawes gives a restrained yet highly expressive performance as Cassandra, portraying her anguish and strength, while Patsy Ferran's portrayal of Jane Austen is unexpectedly vibrant, reflecting her wit and complexity. Their dynamic serves as the series' emotional center, with each flashback creating a rich tapestry of love, grief, and unspoken understanding.

Beyond its personal story, Miss Austen challenges typical period drama clichés, portraying spinsterhood as both a constraint and a modest act of defiance. With breathtaking cinematography, subdued color palettes, and precise historical detail, the series creates a visually immersive universe while exploring issues of loss, reputation, and female autonomy. Rose Leslie's Isabella represents the challenges of unmarried women, while Jessica Hynes' portrayal of Mary Austen deepens the conflict between ambition and lineage. Miss Austen reexamines Cassandra's notorious blaze as an act of sacrifice rather than destruction, prompting spectators to consider the cost of love, memory, and the weight of untold stories lost to history.

Period Drama '' Miss Austen '' follows the lives of Jane and Casandra Austen, as the latter reminisces their relationship years later.

The series is quite short, but it does a good job of creating the perfect atmosphere, with spot on costumes and settings, as well as hair and makeup.

The performances were also great by everyone in the cast, but, especially by the actress portraying Jane Austen and the one performing as the older Casandra Austen. Those two really stood out.

However, and even though the story of the past was interesting to follow, the current one was pushed aside and oddly paced as well as poorly concluded.

So, overall, five out of ten.

This was an excellent drama. I have a suspicion that my 8 rating is a little harsh. This is because I think some of the plot nuances were lost on me, and I believe a second viewing of the complete series would push me to score it 9 or even 10.

It would help if you had some familiarity with Jane Austen's life or her novels. I had neither, but the show makes me want to find out more. The acting is outstanding throughout and despite the rather fast moving and complex plot it held my attention very well. The story unfolds on two timelines, with some important parallels, and that contributes to making it a little hard to follow. But I would not want to discourage anyone from watching. Excellent.

My wife & I both find it extremely confusing & disorienting, although it redeems itself in the end. This might be a story better read than watched. I found myself constantly wanting to stop & flip back a few pages, "who is she again?" "Which Mr. Fowler is he?" "Mother? Whose mother?"

The most disorienting episode is the first, with two different sets of actors playing the younger & older characters, all with various names for the same characters: proper, given, endearments, & nicknames.

Still, as noted, the series pays off in the end. Wonderful cast, good performances, imaginative story. If only everyone wore a name tag.

The casting of this well-written production is brilliant - especially the Cassandras, very similar in looks and mannerisms. The letters and novels are interwoven well and the modest, cross-generational content nicely in keeping with the works of Jane Austen, so suitable for most ages etc, both for fans and novices alike. All the visual and audio contribution is also on point - nothing over the top, but sensitive to the era, scenarios and real people / characters. Whilst retaining interest, this is a very calming and comforting timeless series I will watch over and over again. Thank you for such an excellent addition to the world of Miss Austen.