Hornby’s Miss Austen to be adapted into TV mini series 

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (Century) is being developed for TV by PBS’ Masterpiece and Bonnie Productions, written by Scottish screenwriter Andrea Gibb.

Based on Hornby’s third novel, the four-hour mini series will centre on the lives and loves of Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra. It delves into why Cassandra burned a treasure trove of letters written by her sister Jane in an act of destruction that has troubled academics and Austen fans for centuries.

Masterpiece executive producer Susanne Simpson said: “Miss Austen is about one of the most important people in Jane Austen’s life, her sister Cassandra. We can’t wait to bring Gill Hornby’s captivating novel to life for our Masterpiece audience." 

Christine Langan said: ‘Gill’s instinct 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 with Susanne at Masterpiece great excitement for the emotional impact, the warmth and the deep pleasure this show will bring." 

Hornby, whose latest Austen-inspired novel, Godmersham Park, will be published by Century on 23rd June, 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." 

Bonnie Productions was set up in 2020 by award-winning film and TV producer Christine Langan, to produce original independent film and TV projects. “Hot Milk”, based on the novel of the same name by Deborah Levy, will be the first feature film to launch under the Bonnie Productions banner.