This story is based on facts yet is purely fictional as Cassandra recalls her life with her family and her loves as well as the life and loves of Jane.

Jane was a consummate letter writer as well as a novelist. Cassandra eventually burned the letters to protect her sister’s reputation, which is a bone of contention for fans of the author.

The miniseries begins with Cassandra returning to the village of Kintbury when she learns Mr. Fowle is on his deathbed. The Fowles have been friends of the Austen’s for years and the relationships between the Fowle siblings and the Austen’s play out through the series.

Once he has passed, the issue of where his daughter will live comes to the forefront as Cassandra has promised him she will see to it that his daughter Isabella (Rose Leslie) is settled with one of her sisters. But who is willing to take in their younger sister and does Isabella want to live with one of them? She is a woman of mystery as viewers see her life evolve over the days when everyone is trying to figure out what will be done with the estate. As this drama plays out, Mary (Jessica Hynes), Cassandra’s sister-in-law, searches the house for Jane’s letters hoping to sell them for a good profit. Cassandra will not let that happen and is also on the hunt for the many letters Jane has sent to the Fowle family. Cassandra is intent on preserving Jane’s legacy and the letters would change some perceptions of her sister.

In flashbacks as Cassandra recalls the past, the closeness between her and Jane (Patsy Ferran) is clear. These are sisters who would do anything for each other, and frankly, they do. There were eight children in the Austen family: six boys and two girls. This show includes some of the siblings however it focuses mainly on the two sisters.

This reimagining of the life, loves, and letters of Jane Austen, her sister Cassandra, and their lifelong friends is engaging, even for viewers who are not familiar with the works of Jane Austen. It’s difficult to imagine the titles themselves are not familiar to viewers, even if the characters and stories are not. Most notably “Pride and Prejudice”, “Sense and Sensibility”, “Emma”, “Persuasion”, “Mansfield Park”, “Northanger Abbey”, and “Sandition” are the works – and words – that made Jane Austen a popular literary figure for over two centuries.

The novels have been turned into several movies and there have also been movies about those who love Austen. “The Jane Austen Book Club” (2007) is a delightful film showcasing the love Jane Austen fans have for her novels.

“Miss Austen” is an intriguing four-episode miniseries premiering Sunday on Masterpiece on PBS. It can also be viewed on the free PBS app.

Interestingly, 2025 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen.