Keeley Hawes, Rose Leslie on ‘Miss Austen’ and Exploring Sisterhood and “Love in All Its Forms”

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The upcoming BBC drama series titled “Miss Austen” delves into the mystery behind why Jane Austen’s letters were burned after her death by her sister Cassandra. This captivating show is set to premiere this coming Sunday and boasts a star-studded British cast. For the characters, we have Keeley Hawes portraying Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra or Cassy, Synnøve Karlsen as young Cassy, Patsy Ferran as young Jane, Liv Hill as young Mary Austen, Madeleine Walker as young Eliza Fowle, Liv Hill once again as young Mary Austen, Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen, Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle, Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Austen, Max Irons as Henry Hobday, and Alfred Enoch as Doctor Lidderdale. The series is launching in the year commemorating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.

In addition to the main cast, you’ll find Mirren Mack (known from ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ and ‘The Nest’), Kevin McNally (‘The Crown’ and ‘Ten Percent’), and Calam Lynch (‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Sweetpea’) among the other players.

Or, in a more conversational tone:

Alongside the main cast, you’ll spot Mirren Mack (familiar from ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ and ‘The Nest’), Kevin McNally (‘The Crown’ and ‘Ten Percent’), and Calam Lynch (‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Sweetpea’) in this ensemble as well.

The synopsis describes Miss Austen as reinventing the literary enigma surrounding Cassandra Austen’s burning of Jane Austen’s letters into an intriguing, humorous, and poignant tale about sisterly affection, portraying Cassandra as a character just as compelling as any Austen heroine.

Based on the critically acclaimed novel “Elizabeth Is Missing” by Andrea Gibb (also writer of “Mayflies”), directed by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh (known for “Maudie” and “Elizabeth Is Missing”) and produced by Stella Merz (responsible for “Gentleman Jack” and “Renegade Nell”), this production is brought to you by Bonnie Productions, in partnership with Masterpiece and the BBC. The show’s executive producers include Christine Langan from Bonnie Productions, Susanne Simpson from Masterpiece, Polly Williams for Federation Stories, as well as Hawes, Gibb, and Walsh. Federation Studios is handling international distribution of the series.

Prior to the British debut of the four-part show on BBC One this coming February 2nd, the actors and team behind it gathered for an interview with journalists in London, where they talked about the series in preparation for its release. This production will be aired in the U.S. on Masterpiece PBS starting May 4th.

Praising “this exceptional team of women,” Hawes expressed that her motivation was to explore love in various ways. She described the narrative as a tale embodying love in all its aspects – sisterly love, romantic love, and even unfulfilled love. Given our current circumstances, she believes this is a topic that resonates with many and offers an enjoyable exploration. Upon receiving the project, it landed in her inbox, and she felt she had struck gold.

Karlsen admitted that she “wasn’t very familiar with the details of Jane Austen’s life; I was mainly acquainted with her writings.” Her response to Hawes upon being offered a role on the show was akin to this: “It was such an enchanting peek into, undeniably a fictional narrative, but a glimpse into that bond and sisterhood. Discovering and developing that relationship with a sister is an incredibly precious and unique experience.

The play delves into the bond between the sisters as they mature, and it’s portrayed as a relationship that’s marked by admiration and mutual respect. However, there are moments where a subtle sense of competition or tension arises between them.

The series additionally explores the bond between Cassandra and Isabella (Leslie), a relative of her late fiance, who faces homelessness after her father’s passing. Initially, at the onset of the series, Cassandra pays a visit to Isabella, who is deeply mourning.

As the series progresses, Leslie notes that Isabella begins to understand more and more that Cassandra offers her comfort like no other,” he said. “For Isabella, it’s a novel discovery that she can form a connection with another woman where they truly understand each other and validate her emotions.

At first, Isabella is deeply troubled, not only by sorrow but also by fear about her future and what kind of life she’ll have. The actress elaborated, “But when it comes to Cassandra, Isabella finds immense inspiration in Cassandra’s stoicism. Moreover, there’s a sense of admiration and reverence from Isabella as she watches Cassandra, a self-assured, independent woman who has mastered her life.

Leslie observed: “Her father’s death saddens her deeply, yet it brings a sense of liberation. She may be afraid, but there’s an underlying excitement that she can now pursue the life and love she’s long desired. In essence, Cassandra’s clear-mindedness and determination in living her life have opened up a new path for her.

In the game, I embody a character that offers a unique perspective, showcasing what life might be like beyond the sisterhood, thus underscoring the beauty and brilliance of being within it. My bond with Cassandra is intricate, filled with nuanced interactions that are subtly portrayed through my words and actions.

The compassion she shows highlights its significance during hardship, as acts of kindness linger in people’s minds. People recall instances of kindness but also moments of harshness, Hynes pointed out. There seems to be a part of Mary that would dislike her own actions, but another aspect that may have felt excluded from the bond shared among other characters.

Hynes embraced the task of delving into Mary’s more complex aspects with vigor. “I found pleasure in portraying a character who was comically cruel,” she admitted. “She can be harsh, but I truly appreciated the opportunity to ponder what lies beneath her tough exterior.

Langan expressed the charm of delving into an Austen novel that many haven’t read extensively. “Cassandra is indeed an ideal Austen heroine,” she remarked. “She’s a secondary character who takes center stage and undergoes significant exploration, and I believe this resonates with women.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel exhilarated to be part of the team that’s bringing this show to life in the very year that marks Austen’s 250th anniversary! It feels like an extraordinary stroke of luck, a delightful coincidence, as if the stars have aligned just right. Yet, this project has been a labor of love for us for quite some time now, and the anniversary merely serves to make it all the more special.

During the filming of “Miss Austen”, the actresses fondly remembered the strong camaraderie that existed off-screen. As Hawes put it, “Nowadays, we’re often engrossed in our phones.” However, this project was unique because we all gathered together, chatting and getting to know one another. We were all dressed up, huddled together under our cover coats, freezing, but still managing to engage in meaningful conversations with each other. This was a truly special aspect of the experience.

Karlsen expressed similar sentiments, mentioning that during filming, the cast developed a strong bond. “One day, someone brought us a Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle,” he explained. “Phyllis added to this with an art folder, so we worked on the puzzle in one of our non-shooting locations, usually on a bed somewhere. Patsy, Kevin, Phyllis and I would often gather around it, and Aisling would occasionally drop by for a few minutes to join us. It was heartwarming and fitting for the period – just like sitting inside and working on a puzzle.

Apart from their shared memories, the cast members reminisced about a secret to staying warm on set – Hawes’ heated socks. “The house was chilly, and when we filmed outside it was freezing,” Leslie explained, then nudging Hawes, “You had these fantastic electric socks that I envied – they were like heavenly, heated socks! You’d always share your advice, ‘Guys, you should try these!’

In one sequence during their coastal vacation, the Austen family proved particularly tricky to film. As we were aiming for a summer ambiance, it was actually winter outside, making it quite a struggle. However, despite the chilly conditions, the scene appears bright and inviting. Interestingly, on that challenging day, Keeley had thoughtfully gifted Karlsen some cozy electric socks, symbolically passing them from Cassandra to Cassy. These warm socks turned out to be invaluable.

Watch the trailer for Miss Austen here.

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2025-01-27 03:25