Most readers are familiar with the Brontë sisters. But how many are familiar with the Austen sisters? There’s Jane, of course, but may we introduce you to her sister, Cassandra?
Cassandra was Jane’s older sister by three years, and they were the best of friends by historians’ accounts. Think Lizzie and, well, Jane, from Pride and Prejudice. But one of history’s great literary mysteries centers around Cassandra—specifically that, before her death, she destroyed most of Jane’s letters. But was this an act of jealousy, à la Amy and Jo in Little Women? Or was Cassandra’s motivation more sincere, if a little overprotective?
Masterpiece PBS’s latest series, Miss Austen, seeks to examine what really happened between Cassandra and Jane. If you’re struggling to keep track of all the characters in Miss Austen, or wondering where you recognize the actors from, here’s a handy guide to the cast:
Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen
Keeley Hawes stars as the titular “Miss Austen,” Cassandra Austen in this case. The main timeline of the show commences after Jane’s death with Cassandra anxious to keep her sister’s letters secret.
Hawes has had a long career on screen She has starred in Netflix’s Bodyguard along with many other British and American programs, such as The Hollow Crown and Orphan Black: Echoes.
Synnøve Karlsen as Young Cassandra Austen
Synnøve Karlsen plays the younger version of Cassandra Austen, a.k.a. “Cassy,” in flashbacks throughout the series.
Karlsen can also be seen in Last Night in Soho and the miniseries Medici.
Patsy Ferran as Jane Austen
Patsy Ferran effortlessly slides into the role of Jane Austen, who is already dead when the first episode opens.
Ferran’s previous credits include the television adaptation of Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and Netflix’s Black Mirror.
Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle
Rose Leslie plays Isabella Fowle, who becomes a close friend of Cassandra in her later years just as Isabella is facing a turning point in her own life.
Many viewers will most recognize Rose from her many previous roles on shows like The Good Fight, Game of Thrones, and Downton Abbey.
Max Irons as Henry Hobday
Max Irons portrays Henry Hobday, a sometimes brooding hero-type with a strong sense of familial duty. Sound familiar?
Irons’s previous credits include The White Queen, Woman in Gold, and The Wife.
Alfred Enoch as Mr. Lidderdale
Alfred Enoch plays Mr. Lidderdale, who has a crucial role in any Regency or Victorian story: the village doctor.
Harry Potter fans will surely recognize Alfred from his portrayal of Dean Thomas throughout the eight original films.
Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle
Calam Lynch plays Tom Fowle, Cassandra’s fiancé who then goes on a sailing expedition right after proposing.
Bridgerton fans probably recognize Lynch as Eloise’s printer friend Theo Sharpe. Other credits include Dunkirk and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Madeleine Walker as Eliza Fowle
Madeleine Walker is Eliza Fowle, mother of Isabella and sister-in-law to Tom. She’s also close friends with Cassandra and Jane—the latter of whom she corresponded with frequently.
Walker has previously appeared in The Lazarus Project and Queens of Mystery.
Liv Hill as Mary Lloyd
Liv Hill plays Mary Lloyd, who later becomes Mary Austen when she marries James Austen, Jane and Cassandra’s older brother. Mary is also Isabella’s aunt and Eliza’s sister.
Hill is no stranger to period pieces, with previous roles in Hulu’sThe Great and The Serpent Queen on Starz.
Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen
Jessica Hynes plays the older version of Mary Austen, sister-in-law to Jane and Cassandra. She and Cassandra find themselves at odds after the death of Fulwar Fowle, Isabella’s father.
Hynes also appeared in Life After Life as well as Paddington in Peru and the Bridget Jones films.
Mirren Mack as Dinah
Mirren Mack plays the role of the extra curious housemaid, Dinah. She works in the vicar’s household while Isabella is moving out, and Dinah does not seem to like Cassandra much, but it’s not clear at first as to why.
Mack has been in a number of shows recently, including Say Nothing, Mary & George, and Sex Education.
Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Austen
Phyllis Logan is Mrs. Austen, as in the mother of Jane and Cassandra.
The Scottish actress is best known for her performance as the indomitable Mrs. Hughes on Downton Abbey. This is actually the second time Logan is playing Mrs. Austen; she also portrayed the Austen matriarch in the 2002 TV movie, The Real Jane Austen.
Kevin McNally as Mr. Austen
Kevin McNally plays Mr. Austen, the father of Jane and Cassandra.
McNally has had supporting roles in numerous memorable movies, including the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Doctor Who, Catherine the Great,The Crown, and Downton Abbey.
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