‘Stunning’ BBC period drama fans of Downton Abbey must watch

As far as period dramas go, this series is sure to captivate viewers and transport them back in time with its ties to the great Jane Austen and its 1830 setting

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The series was released in 2025 (Image: BBC)

If you’re looking for your next period drama binge-watch, look no further, as this four-part TV series is an easy watch with an impressive 92% overall score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jane Austen fans will be thrilled to see a tale relating to the late great author on their screens as The Other Bennet Sister draws to an end and they anticipate another Pride and Prejudice adaptation.

Across 10 episodes, this short and sweet story is a standalone fictional story based on the novel Miss Austen by Gill Hornby. It centres around the life of the lesser-known sister of the famed author, Cassandra Austen, and their relationship as siblings, exposed through alleged letters written by Jane.

As a young woman, the writer was believed to have penned a series of letters to Reverend Fowle’s wife, Elizabeth, some of which contained some serious threats. While some historians have criticised the truth of these letters and their contents, claiming they were previously destroyed.

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It’s rumoured to have a second season (Image: ROBERT VIGLASKY PHOTOGRAPHY)

A review of this element of the showsays: “In real life, Cassandra burnt most of Jane’s letters after her death, so the letters are fictional. But they seem to have the spirit of Jane and what we know of her family.” I enjoyed the story, the scenery, and the costumes.”

It’s these words on the page that help Cassandra learn more about her own family and sister, but it proves to be more painful than she realises, and as a result she decides to burn the letters.

The story is told through two different timelines as they both cross, one being the present day of the 1830s and the other of the two siblings in their youth as it flashes back to when the letters were set.

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The story is based on Jane Austen’s real life letters(Image: BBC)

Playing the lesser-known Austen sister is Keeley Hawes; meanwhile, Patsy Ferran plays Jane and Jessica Hynes plays Mary Austen. Many viewers have praised all of the cast’s performances, with one claiming it’s full of “standout performances”.

Some viewers may also recognise Alfred Enoch, who plays Mr Lidderdale in the show, as he is best known for his roles in the likes of Harlan Coben’s Run Away, The Couple Next Door, and as a child actor in Harry Potter.

One fan wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “The writing, casting and acting are excellent – especially Patsy Ferran as Jane and Synnove Karlsen as the young Cassandra. Keeley Hawes is good too, of course, but some of the “present day” scenes (1830s-40s) drag a bit and are not as interesting as the extensive flashbacks.”

Another said: ” This is a really good adaptation of the novel by Gill Hornby, which explores the relationship between Jane and Cassandra Austen, why Cassandra never married and why she burnt Jane’s letters after her death. Although largely imagined, the characters are real-life personages, and the story has been carefully researched.”

While a second season is yet to be confirmed, it is rumoured that the show will be making a return, with the season finale leaving fans wanting more from the lingering storyline.

You can now watch season one of Miss Austen for free by streaming all episodes on BBC iPlayer.

SOURCE: liverpoolecho