In "Miss Austen", it's 1830 and a letter arrives inviting Cassandra Austen to the home of their family friend Eliza Fowle, a place beloved in her youth. Her sister Jane Austen, the author of "Sense and Sensibility", "Pride and Prejudice", "Mansfield Park" and "Emma", has been dead since 1817, but Casandra has a very real motive to return to Kintbury beyond tending the deathbed of the Rev Fulwar Fowle.
Here's how to watch "Miss Austen" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"Miss Austen" premiered on Sunday, February 2 on BBC One at 9.05 p.m. GMT (4.05 p.m. ET/1.05 p.m. PT). All four episodes are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
"Miss Austen" unfolds around the true but unexeplained story of Cassandra burning a trove of her younger sibling's letters years after Jane's death. Of the thousands of letters the novelist wrote only 160 remain, and Cassandra Austen's motives have been debated for years. Was it to protect Jane's privacy? Her novels were published anonymously after all.
Or, is there something else at play? Did they contain unkind remarks about her six sisters-in-law? Was it to secure her legacy in case the frivolous and flirty content of the young woman's correspondence was used to undermine her literary achievement by a mean-spirited and almost exclusively male Victorian establishment?
Whatever the reason, this four-part dramatic reimagining takes us into the mind of Cassandra and the lives of the Austen sisters, fronted by a strong cast that includes Keeley Hawes as Cassandra.
Read on to find out how to watch "Miss Austen" online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Miss Austen' for FREE in the U.K.
How to watch 'Miss Austen' from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "Miss Austen" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN – it's the best VPN on the market right now.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch "Miss Austen" online and on-demand from wherever you are.
How to watch 'Miss Austen' around the world
Can I watch 'Miss Austen' in the United States?
You can but you're going to have to wait. "Miss Austen" drops in the U.S. on Sunday, May 4 but, on the plus side, it will be on PBS and therefore FREE.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can catch the show for free much earlier by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and selecting BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'Miss Austen' online and on-demand in the U.K.
If you live in the U.K. then "Miss Austen" premiered on Sunday, February 2 on BBC One at 9.05 p.m. GMT, with the rest of the series going airing in the same slot. If you don't want to wait for the TV schedule, all four episodes are now available stream for free on BBC iPlayer. You'll need a valid TV license, naturally.
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Miss Austen' online or on TV in Canada?
As with the U.S., "Miss Austen" drops in Canada on Sunday, May 4 at 9 p.m. ET. It will be available on the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video channel. The price in Canada is CA$6.99 per month.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can catch the show on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Miss Austen' online in Australia?
The show will likely arrive at some point, but as yet, there is no release date for "Miss Austen" in Australia.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and you want to catch the show much earlier you do so by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Miss Austen' online in New Zealand?
Unfortunately, there is no release date for "Miss Austen" in New Zealand but if you are a Brit currently there for work or vacation you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'Miss Austen' - Cast
- Keeley Hawes as Cassandra Austen
- Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle
- Jessica Hynes as Mary Austen
- Alfred Enoch as Mr (Doctor) Lidderdale
- Phyllis Logan as Mrs Casandra Austen
- Max Irons as Henry Hobday
- Kevin McNally as George Austen
- Jessica Hynes as Mary
- Madeleine Walker as Eliza Fowle
- Calam Lynch as Tom Fowle
- Felix Scott as Fulwar Craven Fowle
- Mirren Mack as Dinah
- Synnove Karlsen as Young Cassandra Austen
- Patsy Ferran as Jane Austen
- Liv Hill as Young Mary Austen
- Clare Foster as Beth Fowle
- Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle
- Carys Bowkett as Anna Austen
- Ruby Richardson as Alethea Bigg Withers
'Miss Austen' - Episode guide
Season 01 Episode 01: 1830. A letter arrives at Chawton Cottage, where Cassandra Austen has lived alone for many years since the death of her sister Jane.
S01 E02: After uncovering Mary Austen’s lies, Cassandra’s determination to keep Jane’s letters private is stronger than ever. Her mission is accompanied by a second – to secure a home for Isabella.
S01 E03: At Kintbury, Cassandra’s fever is raging. In her delirium, she nearly lets slip that she is in possession of Jane’s letters, but manages – just – to keep Mary from finding them.
S01 E04: Mr Dundas and his wife prepare to move into the Kintbury vicarage, and the urgent question of Isabella’s future continues to occupy Cassandra.
'Miss Austen' - FAQ
Is "Miss Austen" based on a book?
Yes. Gill Hornby's critically acclaimed best-seller of the same name was published in January 2020.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "Strike: Ink Black Heart", "Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special", "Call The Midwife", "Doctor Who: Joy to the World", "Strictly Come Dancing", "Outnumbered" and plenty more.
