When you think of period dramas, you might think of Netflix’s Persuasion, Keira Knightley’s Pride And Prejudice or Sense And Sensibility. And what do all these classics have in common? They (and many others) are all based on literary legend Jane Austen’s novels.

However, there’s more to Jane’s life than her books. Inspired by a real-life literary mystery, Gill Hornby’s Miss Austen is a reimagining of the complicated relationship between Jane and her sister Cassandra, as the reader delves for clues as to why Cassandra burnt all of the letters that Jane had sent to her.

Now, Hornby’s bestselling novel is being adapted for television in the new BBC drama, Miss Austen. Here’s everything we know so far about the four-part series.

**What is the plot of Miss Austen?**

A witty and heartbreaking story of sisterly love, the series kicks off in 1830, 13 years after Jane’s death. Under the guise of helping her friend Isabella, Cassandra is looking for a stash of private letters which, in the wrong hands, could destroy Jane’s reputation. When she finds them, Cassandra is transported back to her youth, where we meet a young Cassy and Jane as they navigate their lives as young women and lay the foundations for Jane’s unforgettable stories.

“Cassandra’s re-evaluation of her past eventually leads her to realise how blind she has been to the real cause of Isabella’s heartache and distress. Finding a way to guide Isabella towards true happiness, Cassandra is finally able to understand and celebrate the sacrifices she chose to make for her brilliant sister Jane,” reads the BBC synopsis.

**Who will star in Miss Austen?**

Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Line Of Duty) stars as Cassandra, Rose Leslie (Game Of Thrones, Vigil) takes on the role of Isabella and Patsy Ferran (Living) plays the young Jane. The rest of the cast includes Jessica Hynes (Life After Life), Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Shetland), Kevin McNally (The Crown, Ten Percent), Max Irons (Condor, The Wife), Alfred Enoch (How To Get Away With Murder), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton) and Liv Hill (The Serpent Queen).

This latest BBC drama follows the literary mystery of Cassandra Austen and her sister’s letters