A female-centred collection of four dramatisations celebrating Jane Austen's classic novels - plus bonus series When I Met Jane AustenOn 16 December 1775, a literary icon was born. Jane Austen's groundbreaking novels pioneered the romantic comedy genre and put women front and centre, depicting their innermost thoughts and feelings. To celebrate her 250th anniversary, here are four new dramas, focusing on the fabulous, flawed, funny and fascinating women who blaze out from her books. Full of her characteristic wit and biting comedy, they feature star-studded casts including Tamsin Greig, Isabella Laughland, Luke Thompson, Miles Jupp, Adjoa Andoh, and Ben Hardy.Pride and Prejudice - Featuring one of the best-loved heroines in literature - lively, quick-witted Elizabeth Bennet - this dramatisation tells the story of the five Bennet sisters' romantic escapades, as they endeavour to fulfil their mother's dreams and marry well.Sense and Sensibility - When their father's death turns their world upside down, rational, reserved Elinor Dashwood and her impulsive, emotional sister Marianne leave their old lives behind and embark on a voyage of romantic discovery.Northanger Abbey - Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland is a kind, honest and unworldly young woman with a head full of Gothic novels and little experience of the real world. So when wealthy, handsome Henry Tilney invites her to Northanger Abbey, she is determined to discover its dark secrets...Mansfield Park - Aged just nine, Fanny Price is sent away from her impoverished parents to live with her rich relatives at Mansfield Park. Shaped by family and adversity, this displaced child becomes a fiercely moral young woman with an unshakable conscience - and as she navigates the complexities of love and jealousy, her true strength of character is revealed.When I Met Jane Austen - Ten of the world's most prominent authors and thinkers talk to Jane Austen biographer Paula Byrne about when they first encountered the great writer. Featuring contributions from David Baddiel, Andrew Davies, Amy Heckerling, Marlon James, Philippa Perry, Gurinder Chadha, Val McDermid, Colm Toibin, Katherine Rundell and Kate Atkinson.Cast and creditsWritten by Jane AustenPride and PrejudiceStarring Tamsin Greig, Isabella Laughland, Luke Thompson, Miles Jupp, Rosie Cavaliero, Lucy Doyle, Kitty O'Sullivan, Gaia Wise, Imogen Front, Louis Landau, Toby Regbo, Adjoa Andoh, Catherine Bailey, Josh Bryant-Jones, Sasha McCabe, Jasmine Hyde, Clive Haywood, and Sarah ThomDramatised by award winning writer Rachel JoyceProduced by Tracey NealeFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 Dec 2025Sense and SensibilityStarring Tamsin Greig, Madeleine Mantock, Rose Basista, Ben Hardy, Enyi Okoronkwo, Richard Goulding, Ava Talbot, Jasmine Hyde, Carolyn Pickles, Clive Hayward, Django Bevan, Sasha McCabe, and Bethan Rose YoungDramatised by Claudine ToutoungiProduced by Anne IsgerFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 Dec 2025Northanger AbbeyStarring Madeleine Gray, Will Howard, Cecilia Appiah, Ella Smith, John Heffernan, Scarlett Courtney, Jasmine Hyde, Josh Bryant-Jones, and Django BevanDramatised by Clara GlynnProduced by Gaynor MacfarlaneFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-9 Nov 2025Mansfield ParkStarring Lydia Wilson, Bryan Dick, Tala Gouveia, Tom Mothersdale, Janice Acquah, Madeleine Worrall, Joshua Riley, John Hollingworth, Samuel Valentine, Faith Alabi, and Hollie BurgessDramatised by Clara GlynnDirected by Gaynor MacfarlaneFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 10-17 Jul 2022When I Met Jane AustenPresented by Paula ByrneWith David Baddiel, Andrew Davies, Amy Heckerling, Marlon James, Philippa Perry, Gurinder Chadha, Val McDermid, Colm Toibin, Katherine Rundell and Kate AtkinsonProduced by Maggie AyreFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8-19 Dec 2025(c) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
