PBS is adapting Gill Hornby’s hit Jane Austen story ‘Miss Austen’ for TV

The television series based on Miss Austen by Gill Hornby is going ahead!

Set in 19th-century Britain, the fictional story is inspired by Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra’s infamous burning of Jane’s letters.

Hornby’s third novel was hailed as one of the books of 2020 by the Financial Times and The Times.

Rumours of an adaptation for TV were first circulating two years ago and PBS has now announced that Masterpiece have greenlit the series for production.

Miss Austen centres on the lives and loves of Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra, delving into why Cassandra burned a treasure trove of letters written by her sister, Jane – an act of destruction that has troubled academics and Austen fans for centuries.

The four-part period drama is bring made by Christine Langan, who was executive prouder of The Queen starring Helen Mirren, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Keira Knightley movie The Duchess.

Scripts are being penned by Elizabeth is Missing writer Andrea Gibb, who also wrote 2016’s Swallows and Amazons movie.

Langan commented: “Gill’s instincts for these unforgettable characters is flawless. Her moving, revealing and often hilarious story of love, loss and sisterhood is captured brilliantly for the screen by Andrea Gibb. I share … great excitement for the emotional impact, the warmth and the deep pleasure this show will bring.”

Gill Hornby is the sister of English author Nick Hornby, writer of High Fidelity and About a Boy.

She said: “I’m so thrilled Miss Austen has landed with Christine and Masterpiece/PBS – the dream team for the project. I can’t wait to see Jane and Cassandra brought back to life.”

Miss Austen will premiere in the US in 2023 on PBS.

A broadcaster in the UK hasn’t yet been announced.

Miss Austen: A Novel is available on Amazon.