It has been two years since PBS aired the final season of Sanditon, and frankly my fellow MASTERPIECE fans, nothing has come close to filling the Jane Austen-shaped hole in my heart since. There is something so timeless about Austen’s work and I never get tired of new interpretations of her famous novels: sometimes, you just want a cozy story in the English countryside, or perhaps a visit to Bath, the Lake District or the seaside, and be preoccupied with small town scandals, proposals, a yearning hero and a heroine unsure if she’s ready to take the plunge and reveal her heart to the person she loves.
Thankfully, MASTERPIECE is coming to the rescue (not unlike one of Austen’s dashing heroes!) with a new show not based on Austen’s novels but on Jane Austen herself and her family. More specifically, her elder sister Cassandra, who not only served as a parallel for some of Jane’s characters (Jane Bennet, anyone?) but was her closest friend and confidante throughout her life and until Jane Austen’s death. Neither sister ever married.
Keep that in mind when Miss Austen, MASTERPIECE’s latest foray into the world of Jane Austen, debuts on May 4. But unlike her novels, Miss Austen both attempts to answer questions raised by correspondence between both sisters and takes place over two different time periods: the late 18th and early 19th centuries when Jane was living and writing, and 1830, well after her death as her sister Cassandra begins to find Jane’s secret letters. Throughout the show’s four episodes, Cassandra reminisces and understands not every love story outside of her sister’s books ends unrequited and unfulfilled.
Keeley Hawes (The Durrells in Corfu) stars as the older Cassandra, with familiar PBS and GPB actors Rose Leslie (Downton Abbey), Phyllis Logan (Lovejoy, Downton Abbey), Kevin McNally (Downton Abbey), Alfred Enoch (Sherlock) and Jessica Hynes (W1A) in supporting roles. Miss Austen is based off the book by Gill Hornby and adapted to screen by Andrea Gibb.
The show premieres in May, but there’s still plenty of Austen to enjoy on GPB Passport and out in the Georgia community. As Jane Austen celebrates her 250th birthday in 2025, why not join in the fun by checking out some of the adaptations and original interpretations of her work, take in some theater or step into Austen’s Regency England yourself? Here are our top picks:
Northanger Abbey
After being invited to a medieval country house, romance addict Catherine Morland (Felicity Jones) finds the atmosphere appeals to her most lurid fantasies, but things aren’t as they seem. Meanwhile, she forms a close friendship with the younger son on the estate, Henry Tilney (JJ Feild). Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen’s famous satire of gothic fiction with all the elements of will-they-won't-they that Austen fans love.
Death Comes to Pemberley
Six years after the end of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy live happily at Pemberley until a coach races to Derbyshire with a hysterical Lydia Bennet shrieking “Murder!” Author P.D. James continues Jane Austen’s classic novel, bringing back our favorite characters as they both navigate a murder mystery and the return of old foes. The book was adapted to screen in a two-episode miniseries by MASTERPIECE and stars Matthew Rhys, Anna Maxwell Martin, Jenna Coleman (Victoria), Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) and Matthew Goode (Downton Abbey).
Both episodes are available on GPB Passport
Sanditon
For something a little brighter than gothic romance and murder mysteries, there’s nothing better than a return to the seaside and the world of Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams), including her friendships and relationships with the Parker family, Georgiana Lambe (Crystal Clarke) and Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes). When Sanditon first premiered in 2020 on PBS, the TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel was intended to be only one season, and the show was canceled. But the outcry of love and support from fans encouraged MASTERPIECE to create two more seasons, giving fans a continuation of the story they loved while introducing new characters to the seaside resort.
All three seasons are available on GPB Passport
PBS Books Readers Club: Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
Join PBS Books and author Gill Hornby in conversation about her novel, the MASTERPIECE adaptation and more! On April 30 at 8 p.m., PBS Books welcomes the international best-selling author to their Readers Club series for a livestream discussion. Viewers can sign up for push notifications on Facebook events and their YouTube channel. The livestream will be available on Facebook, YouTube, the PBS Books website, and the PBS App.
Catch an early screening of Miss Austen in person and online
Can’t wait until May 4 at 9 p.m. to watch the first episode of Miss Austen? You’re in luck! GPB is partnering with the Gwinnett County Public Library and the Jane Austen Society of North America – Georgia Region (JASNA) for a sneak preview of episode 1 on Friday, May 2 at the Duluth Branch at 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended and we encourage you to visit our signup page for more.
For a virtual sneak peek, MASTERPIECE is hosting an early look at Miss Austen on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. on Zoom. Following the screening, there will be a live discussion featuring Synnøve Karlsen (Young Cassandra Austen) and Rose Leslie (Isabella Fowle), as well as screenwriter Andrea Gibb and Executive Producer Christine Langan (Bonnie Productions). You can RSVP to secure your virtual spot here.
Pride and Prejudice presented by the Atlanta Shakespeare Company and Belle Esprit
Visit the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern this season for a unique reimagining of Jane Austen’s beloved novel. Produced by the ASC in collaboration with Belle Esprit, this new adaptation breathes fresh life into Austen’s classic story of first impressions gone awry. Written and directed by Claire F. Martin, watch Elizabeth and Darcy face off in an immersive staged world premiere to Atlanta and the ASC. Get your tickets to Pride and Prejudice here.
Pride and Prejudice runs from May 3 to June 1 at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern. Tickets can be bought on their website. Audience members are invited to don Jane Austen tea party attire to the performance if they wish to feel extra fancy.
Take part in Regency events with Atlanta Historic Dance
You’ve seen Jane Austen’s classic stories on screen on GPB Passport and onstage at the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, but have you ever considered stepping back in time and attending a Regency ball yourself? If so, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with Atlanta Historic Dance. Part living history, part dance classes and part balls that have you feel transported back to Jane Austen’s day, Atlanta Historic Dance offers a truly unique performance experience with dancers who perform researched and period correct dances while modeling the latest fashions of the era.
Don’t have a Regency ballgown ready or think you’ve got two left feet? Don’t worry: Atlanta Historic Dance offers a variety of programming throughout the year and in different time periods ranging from the 16th Century to the mid-20th Century. Beyond teaching period dance and games, Atlanta Historic Dance has a brief program on the specific theme of each ball so guests not only learn how to participate but a bit about the time period, too.
I highly suggest following their website and their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information about their upcoming seminars, dance lessons and balls. For those new to Regency costuming and dancing and wanting to try it for the first time, I’d recommend the History Seek Saturdays event scheduled for July 19 or the Jane Austen: Fashion and Dance event scheduled for September 17, both found on Atlanta Historic Dance’s event page on Facebook.
MASTERPIECE's Miss Austen premieres Sunday, May 4 at 9 p.m. and will air for four episodes. In the meantime, I’ll be catching up on all things Jane on GPB Passport, booking my tickets for the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern and getting my dancing slippers ready.
