‘Clique’ Star Synnove Karlsen Joins Masterpiece/BBC Drama ‘Miss Austen’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Synnøve Karlsen (“Last Night In Soho,” “Bodies,” “Clique”) is set to star as the younger version of Cassandra Austen (played by Keeley Hawes) in “Miss Austen”, a production of Gill Hornby’s best-selling and much-loved novel. The four-part series is produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece in the US and distributed by Federation Studios, and has already been acquired by the BBC in the U.K.

“The ensemble of actors on ‘Miss Austen’ is a testament to the brilliant work of Aisling Walsh and everyone’s desire to work with her,” Karlsen said. “Andrea Gibb has written a beautifully moving script, delving into Cassandra Austen’s life and her relationship with her sister Jane. It’s a real joy to share the role of Cassy with Keeley and get to work with her once again.”

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As previously announced, the adaptation from BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb (“Elizabeth Is Missing,” “Mayflies”) takes a literary mystery — Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters – and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character the producers claim is as captivating as any Austen heroine.

The drama begins in 1830, a while after Jane has died. Cassandra (Hawes) races to see her young friend Isabella (Rose Leslie) who is about to lose her home following her father’s death. Cassandra is ostensibly there to help her friend, but her real motive is to find a stash of private letters which, in the wrong hands, could destroy Jane’s reputation. On discovering them, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she is transported back to her youth. In flashback, we meet young Cassy (Karlsen) and Jane (Patsy Ferran) as they navigate the infatuations, family feuds and dashed hopes which shaped their lives and laid the foundations for Jane’s unforgettable stories.

Karlsen previously played Jocasta in Edgar Wright’s psychological horror “Last Night in Soho” alongside Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie and Matt Smith. Most recently, she starred in the Netflix series “Bodies” alongside Stephen Graham and Shira Haas. Prior to that she won plaudits for her debut television role of Holly McStay, the student at the heart of BBC’s cult psychological thriller “Clique,” and as Clarice Orsini in the historical drama series “Medici.”

Karlsen is represented by the Independent Talent Group, Anonymous Content and Personal PR.

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