The BBC’s Miss Austen is a brand-new historical drama that brings Jane Austen’s world to life. This four-part series, starring Keeley Hawes and Jessica Hynes, tells the story of Cassandra Austen, Jane Austen’s sister, and explores why she burned Jane’s personal letters.
The series is based on Gill Hornby’s novel Miss Austen and is directed by Aisling Walsh.
BBC’s Miss Austen Filming Locations
To create an authentic 19th-century feel, the filmmakers chose beautiful historical locations in England. England is a famous filming spot for many movies and shows like A Thousand Blows, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and Back in Action filmed here.
Here are the main places where Miss Austen was filmed:
Adwell House, Oxfordshire
This grand estate was used as Kintbury Vicarage, home to the Fowle family. In the story, Cassandra Austen visits this house to find and destroy Jane’s letters.
Adwell House is a Grade II* listed building in Oxfordshire, England, and the family seat of the Birch Reynardson family. It is a historic manor house with a rich history dating back centuries.
Shottesbrooke House, Berkshire
This location stands in for Steventon Vicarage, the place where Jane Austen was born and lived for 25 years. Since the original house no longer exists, Shottesbrooke House was chosen to recreate it.
Shottesbrooke House, Berkshire, is a historic Tudor mansion located in a picturesque parkland setting. It has a rich history, having been owned by notable families and even serving as a meeting place for Jacobites in the past.
Chawton, Hampshire
Chawton is an important place in Jane Austen’s history. She lived in Chawton Cottage (now the Jane Austen House Museum), where she wrote many of her famous novels. Some scenes in Miss Austen were filmed here to show Jane’s real home.
Chawton is a charming village nestled in the South Downs National Park, in Hampshire, England. It is best known as the final home of the renowned author, Jane Austen.
Rye and Camber Sands, East Sussex
These locations were used to represent Sidmouth, Devon, where Jane and Cassandra once visited. The beach scenes were filmed during winter, even though they were supposed to look like summer!
Camber Sands, located in East Sussex, is a popular coastal destination known for its expansive sandy beach and unique sand dune system, the only one of its kind in the region. The area offers a mix of natural beauty, with opportunities for watersports and wildlife spotting, and historical charm found in the nearby town of Rye.
Langleybury Mansion, Hertfordshire
This beautiful old house was used to film scenes set in Winchester, Southampton, and Basingstoke Assembly Rooms, places that were part of Jane Austen’s life.
Langleybury Mansion is a historic country house located in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, England. Built in the early 18th century, it has served as a private residence, a school, and now functions as a popular filming location.
When Was Miss Austen Filmed?
Filming for Miss Austen started in November 2023 and took several months. The team carefully selected locations that looked just like the places where Jane and Cassandra Austen lived in real life.
What Is Miss Austen About?
The story takes place in two different time periods:
- In 1830, Cassandra Austen (played by Keeley Hawes) secretly travels to a family home to find and burn Jane’s letters.
- In 1795, we see flashbacks of Jane (played by Patsy Ferran) and Cassandra as young women, experiencing love, loss, and the challenges of being women in their time.
Where Can You Watch Miss Austen?
- In the UK: Miss Austen premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on February 2, 2025.
- In the USA: The series will air on PBS Masterpiece starting May 4, 2025.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Miss Austen filmed?
A: Miss Austen was filmed in England at locations like Adwell House, Shottesbrooke House, Chawton, Rye and Camber Sands, and Langleybury Mansion.
Q2: Was Jane Austen’s real home used in the series?
A: Yes, some scenes were filmed in Chawton, where Jane Austen lived, but her birthplace, Steventon Vicarage, was recreated using Shottesbrooke House.
Q3: Where were the beach scenes filmed?
A: The scenes set in Sidmouth, Devon, were actually filmed at Rye and Camber Sands in East Sussex.
Q4: When was Miss Austen filmed?
A: Filming started in November 2023 and lasted for several months in different historical locations.
Is Miss Austen Worth Watching?
The series has received great reviews! Many critics say it is a beautifully made drama that captures the emotions of Jane and Cassandra’s story. Fans of historical dramas and Jane Austen’s novels will love it!
BBC‘s Miss Austen takes viewers on a journey back in time, showing us the world of Jane Austen through stunning filming locations and a touching story. If you love history, mystery, and beautiful British scenery, this series is a must-watch!