Series Adaptation of Gill Hornby’s “Miss Austen” In the Works at PBS, Andrea Gibb to Write
Another Jane Austen project is on its way. Deadline has revealed that PBS’ “Masterpiece” is developing a four-part miniseries adaptation of Gill Hornby’s acclaimed novel “Miss Austen,” with Andrea Gibb et to write.
Published in 2020, the novel centers 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 Jane – an act of destruction that has troubled academics and Austen fans for centuries,” per the source.
Christine Langan, formerly head of BBC Films, will produce under her Bonnie Productions banner.
“Masterpiece” exec 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.”
“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,” Langan added. “I share with Susanne at ‘Masterpiece’ great excitement for the emotional impact, the warmth, and the deep pleasure this show will bring.”
Besides series “Call the Midwife” and “Sanditon,” Gibb’s other credits include the 2019 TV movie “Elizabeth Is Missing” and Philippa Lowthorpe’s 2016 adventure pic “Swallows and Amazons.” The former was nominated for several BAFTAs and won the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best Short Form TV Drama award.
Hornby’s latest Austen-inspired novel, “Godmersham Park,” is due to be published this week. She also wrote “The Story of Jane Austen,” a biography of Austen for young readers.
Langan was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and won the Best Film BAFTA for “The Queen.” Also among her extensive producing credits are Gurinder Chadha’s “Viceroy’s House,” and Sophie Fiennes’ doc “Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami.”
