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The BBC has released a brand-new drama for Jane Austen fans that's not to be missed. The new series coincides with the Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion author's 250th birthday

this year. This drama is just part of a range of programming in honour of the acclaimed writer’s major milestone. Jane Austen: Rise of Genius is streaming on the BBC iPlayer now and offers

an immersive look at the best-selling writer's life. Over the course of three episodes, audiences will see Austen rip up the rulebook of writing novels and follow her own path. Jane

Austen: Rise of Genius is narrated by Bend It Like Beckham and Emma (1996) actress Juliet Stevenson, who will show the twists and turns in the author's life that make for compelling

viewing. Much of the series is based on the surviving letters between Austen and her sister Cassandra Austen, many of which were burnt by her sibling following her death to protect the

author's legacy and reputation. The series features cinematic scenes interwoven with contributions from writer, actors, historians and experts. Among those featured include Bridget

Jones's Diary author Helen Fielding, Queenie writer Candice Carty-Williams, and Kate Atkinson. While actors Who appear in the series include Sense and Sensibility and Wolf Hall's

Charity Wakefield, Greta Scacchi of Emma fame, Samuel West from All Creatures Great and Small, Tamsin Greig of Friday Night Dinner and Belgravia, and Greg Wise from Emma. Finally, among the

experts and historians are Dr Paula Byrne, Admiral Lord West, Dr Priya Atwal, Dr Louise Curran and Dr Paddy Bullard, and celebrated auteur Ken Loach. The series has already got an 8.8/10

rating on IMDb and is well worth a watch for those hoping to get fresh insight into the mind of one of the greatest English authors of all time. The BBC iPlayer has a whole host of other

content as well, including the sweet four-part adaptation of Gill Hornby's novel Miss Austen, which takes a fictional look at the writer. Miss Austen looks into why Cassandra burnt her

sister’s letters and reimagines the life and loves of the two siblings. Moreover, it taps into long lost loves with echoes of Persuasion and serves up a heartwarming ending worthy of an

Austen novel. There's also the 2005 Hollywood adaptation of Pride & Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Additionally, those craving Colin Firth's Mr Darcy

emerging dripping wet from a lake can enjoy the 1995 BBC edition of Pride & Prejudice. Jennifer Ehle plays Elizabeth Bennet and Alison Steadman serves up an iconic performance as Mrs

Bennet in all her histrionic glory. Persuasion (1995) starring Ciarán Hinds and Amanda Root, as well as the BBC's 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. _JANE AUSTEN: RISE OF GENIUS

IS STREAMING ON THE BBC IPLAYER NOW_