Latest news with #JaneAusten:RiseofaGenius
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC's latest TV series release is a 'must watch' for Jane Austen lovers
This three-part series celebrates the life and legacy of Jane Austen and is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer A brand new BBC drama is captivating Jane Austen fans with a fresh take on the beloved author's life, legacy and enduring influence. With its rich storytelling and fresh approach to the author's life, Jane Austen: Rise of Genius promises to engage both life-long fans and newcomers alike. The docu-series is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, as the three-part series shows Austen as not only a literary icon but as a trailblazing woman who reshaped the literacy world. The release of the series comes in time to celebrate the author's 250th birthday, and it's not one to miss. The drama explores both Austen's literacy success and her personal journey, offering a rich portrayal of one of Britain's most celebrated writers. It follows how Austen created some of literature's most enduring characters while navigating family obligations, social expectations and personal heartbreak. The show is narrated by actress Juliet Stevenson - known for her roles in Emma and Bend It Like Beckham - and it weaves together dramatised scenes with Juliet's narration as well as Austen's own words from her novels and letters. Much of the narration is taken from her surviving letters to her sister Cassandra, offering fans a rare and intimate insight into her thoughts and experiences in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although many of the original letters were destroyed after Austen passed away to preserve her privacy, those that remain provide a powerful foundation for the story in the show. Jane Austen: Rise of Genius also features commentary from well-known authors and cultural figures, including Bridget Jones's Diary author Helen Fielding, Queenie creator Candice Carty-Williams, and Life After Life author Kate Atkinson. The cast includes a strong line up of British talent - Charity Wakefield, known for her role in Sense and Sensibility, Emma actress Greta Scacchie, Samuel West, known for his roles in All Creatures Great and Small, Greg Wise, who also starred in Emma and Tamsin Greig known for his roles in Friday Night Dinner and Belgravia. The show also provides historical insights from a range of experts and historians such as Dr Paula Byrne, Admiral Lord West, Dr Priya Atwal, Dr Louise Curran, Dr Paddy Bullard, and Ken Loach. The series has earned an impressive 8.8/10 rating on IMDb, with viewers praising it as a "must watch" for anyone interested in Jane Austen, literature and British history. Fans have also taken to X, formally known as Twitter, to share their opinion on the show. One fan penned: "Absolutely loved watching @BBC Jane Austen: Rise Of A Genius She was so ahead of her time. It's a 10 from me." With another writing: "Loved the first episode of Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius! I'm so looking forward to watching the other two parts." A third simply stated: "Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius on BBC2 was an excellent account of her independent spirit & determination."
Spectator
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Why is the BBC making stuff up about Jane Austen?
Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius began by saying that 'getting into her mind isn't easy' – something you'd never have guessed from the rest of the episode, where both the narrator and the talking heads were able to tell us exactly what Austen was thinking and feeling at any given time. Like many Austen biographies, this one laments her sister Cassandra's decision to burn most of her letters, but then takes full advantage of how little we consequently know about her to portray (or possibly make up) a woman whose attitudes are spookily close to its own. In a previous era, this might have meant presenting Austen as a gentle and contentedly domestic aunt. Now of course it means that 'at a time when women were supposed to know their place, Austen ripped up the rulebook'. Equipped with its privileged access to her mind, Monday's programme further explained that after 'feeling a lack of autonomy', she decided 'to pursue the route of being an independent woman'. Some irksome pedants (me, for instance) might suggest that in order to make Austen a proper feminist heroine, the programme has to contort even the little we know to fit a preordained narrative. Either that, or ignore it completely. Need Austen to be a pioneering female voice in the male world of novel-writing? Simply erase all the other women – Maria Edgeworth, Fanny Burney, Ann Radcliffe etc. – who were already successful novelists. Occasionally, too, we had the strange sight of Austen biographers contributing to accounts different from the ones in their own biographies. In 2013's The Real Jane Austen, Paula Byrne describes cousin Eliza arriving at the Austens' Steventon rectory in 1786 and visiting periodically after that, including for several months in 1792-3.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jane Austen's personal letters exposed in jaw-dropping BBC series on TV tonight
Jane Austen wrote thousands of letters but her sister burned most of them - this series uncovers those that were left Even if you're only a fan of Pride & Prejudice because of THAT Darcy lake scene, or Sense & Sensibility from the movie with Emma Thompson, you will have been enjoying Jane Austen's legacy for years. Revealing the inner lives of men and women, ripping up the rulebook to comment on society, class and politics, Jane Austen was outrageous and witty. Tonight's BBC2 series Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius, at 9pm, explores the life and legacy - more than two centuries on, her work leaves a lasting legacy that is read, enjoyed, adapted and cherished to this day. Along with her published work, she also wrote thousands of personal letters to her beloved sister Cassandra, sharing her deepest thoughts, but after her death at the age of 41 in 1817, her sister burned them. Cassandra must have known the outrage they would cause, but fortunately a handful survived. Drawing on these letters, alongside the insights of experts, novelists and actors, this series aims to piece her extraordinary life back together. Each episode weaves in cinematic re-enactments, with contributions from authors and writers including Helen Fielding, Candice Carty-Williams, Kate Atkinson, Colm Tóibín and Bee Rowlatt; actors Charity Wakefield, Greta Scacchi, Samuel West, Tamsin Greig, Tom Bennett and Greg Wise, experts and historians Dr Paula Byrne, Admiral Lord West, Dr Priya Atwal, Dr Louise Curran and Dr Paddy Bullard, and filmmaker Ken Loach. Author Helen Fielding says: 'Jane Austen's voice is so strong and funny and perceptive. And her work's still being copied and stolen by people like me.' Watch out for more special programming later this year to mark Austen's 250th birthday, and straight after this at 10pm, a screening of Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. *Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius is airing tonight (May 26) on BBC2 at 9pm There's plenty more on TV tonight - here's the best of the rest.. SPRINGWATCH, BBC2, 8pm It has been 20 years since Springwatch first aired, and it continues to broadcast incredible wildlife stories, thanks to two decades of unprecedented access to nests, setts, holts and waterways. Chris Packham and Michael Strachan lead three weeks of wildlife wonder from the National Trust's Longshaw Estate, in the heart of the Peak District. Alongside live action from the many hidden cameras, there will also be films to salute the passionate people who go the extra mile. Father and daughter duo David and Heather go freediving on the Cornish coast to observe changes in the seagrass beds and rocky reefs. We find out what happens with amorous molluscs are in need of a mate. Turns out those snails can be quite selfish. Cameraman Louis Labrom heads to Dartmoor to film the iconic swallow, while former farmer Philip Hambly and his wife Faith have transformed their 52 acres into a haven for birds, butterflies and plants. JAMIE COOKS: GEORGIA, CHANNEL 4, 7pm In this sumptuous one-off special, Jamie Oliver heads to eastern Europe to dive into the fascinating cuisine of Georgia, soaking up inspiration from its people, ingredients, techniques and traditions. From exploring the capital city of Tbilisi to the wine region, Jamie immerses himself with the locals and the culture, joins a traditional Georgian gathering and brings what he's learnt to his cooking back home to Essex. Jamie kicks off his trip in Tbilisi, on the ancient Silk Road. At the city's largest food market, the Dezerter Bazaar, local chef Meriko inspires Jamie with the innovative use of herbs. He falls in love with Khinkali - Georgian dumplings, and is allowed into a restaurant kitchen for his own special lesson where he learns traditional techniques. Heading east to the wine region and the vineyards of Kakheti, he arrives at the perfect time to 'birth the new wine', and he's invited to his very first Supra - a traditional communal feast. EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm John is tormented by nightmares of being arrested for Nate's murder as he and Victoria prepare for his wedding to Aaron. Moira anxiously watches as workers dredge the lake. When Cain reveals the dredging has begun, John panics and starts packing. Aaron catches him mid-escape but is reassured it's just pre-wedding jitters. Joe and Dawn's romance is derailed when a social worker arrives to follow up on a safeguarding concern. Ross takes Lewis out kayaking and sneakily pinches his house keys. EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm Zack puts his new plan into action and goes to Ravi for a loan to fund his escape. Ravi warns him not to mess with Nicola and reveals that she recently asked him to help move a body. Phil is confused when Nigel is angry that they didn't celebrate his birthday, despite saying he didn't want a fuss. Avani is upset when she receives an onslaught of cruel messages online as news gets out about her sleeping with Joel. CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 8pm Brody tenses as he listens to a message from his Dad. Kit returns home to find Brody smashing up his flat, revealing his Dad assures him he's innocent and it's a police stitch-up. When Ronnie introduces Debbie to Fiona, an old flame, Debbie's put out. Eileen tells George and Brian that the drugs found in Julie's system were the painkillers prescribed for her, not Julie. When Brian makes an innocuous remark, Eileen snaps and bans him from attending the funeral.
