'Exceptional' period drama fans claim is 'the best of the BBC'

Fans have hailed an "exceptional" period drama that they claim is "the best of the BBC". Mini-series Miss Austen reimagines the life of Jane Austen's sister, Cassandra, played by Keeley Hawes.

It follows Cassandra coming to terms with her past and attempting to protect her sister's legacy, opening up her world with a series of flashbacks.

Set in 1830, Cassandra visits the Fowle family, as patriarch Reverend Fowle is dying. Vowing to help his daughter Isabella find a new home, she also looks for letters Jane had written as a younger woman to Fowle's wife Elizabeth, in the hope to destroy them.

Meanwhile, Mary Austen, the widow of Cassandra and Jane's brother James, also hunts for the letters, to write a biography about her late husband.

Discovering them, Cassandra is confronted by her past, with the letters covering her engagement to the late Tom Fowle, James' marriage to Mary, other relatives they lost and chances at love, and Jane's literary journey to become the novelist she's known today.

The series stars Patsy Ferran as Jane and Jessica Hynes as Mary, as well as Rose Leslie, Max Irons and Phyllis Logan.

Fans fell in love with the four-part drama when it aired earlier this year, with one saying: "Fantastic series, we loved every minute. What a brilliant script and storytelling- so clever and so well done. We are Jane Austen fans and watched one episode each night this week. For us that's a binge.

"The very best of the BBC at its best. Totally engaging, heartfelt, emotional and humorous. The actors were superbly cast and they all shone. I'll give it a month then watch it again."

Another said: "This 4 part series is absolutely superb, telling the story in a manner that I think Jane herself would have been proud of. The acting from all the cast is exceptional. I found Jane's deathbed scene, being comforted by her beloved sister Cassandra, heartbreaking. This series will stay with me for a long time."

Someone else wrote: "This show is absolutely superb. In excels in every possible way as a piece of entertainment. The ladies who play young Cassandra and Jane are perfection and the story is thoroughly intriguing. Loved it more than I can say."

Another said: "A wonderful series -brilliantly portrayed by first class acting. I found this so moving and emotional- yet had many humorous scenes. Very rarely do we now find such a masterpiece on our screens. Well done BBC!"

Ahead of the series airing, Keeley, who also serves as executive producer, said: "I was sent the first episode of Miss Austen knowing nothing at all about this story, and instantly I found it absolutely fascinating and charming.

"I think people will love it, because for anyone who is not aware of this backstory it's almost like we are getting a new Jane Austen story in itself, and what a lovely surprise that is.

"I also couldn't read the script or the book without crying - it's incredibly emotional and very relatable. This is a story about relationships and families and what people mean to each other, and how we experience love, loss and life."

Miss Austen is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.