News for Austen Enthusiasts : January 2024

With the festivities over, pay dwindling, and long nights, January feels like the longest month of the year. So much so, that it can feel like an achievement just to make it to February - but we did it! One positive thing about long month is that it creates even more opportunities for Jane Austen news!

Here’s everything you might have missed in January 2024:

Rare Jane Austen banknotes worth a pretty penny

It’s been a few years now that our dear Jane Austen’s face has graced the Bank of England £10 note, so we’re used to seeing her face when we go to an ATM, or open our wallets. News that some Jane Austen related serial numbers might be worth a little bit of cash might have you looking more closely at your money. One eagle-eyed individual pocketed £3600 for theirs.

Find out what to look out for at The Sun >>

Alan Titchmarsh throws support behind Winchester Austen statue plans

There’s been quite a bit of back and forth surrounding the plans to erect a statue of Jane Austen at Winchester Cathedral. The plans, intended to commemorate 250 years since the author’s birth, have drawn criticism and support from diverse camps, with TV Gardener Alan Titchmarsh the latest to throw his support behind the project.

Find out what he had to say at the Hampshire Chronicle >>

Early writing course offers opportunity to compare Jane Austen and Taylor Swift

Lucky students at UPenn in the states have been offered the opportunity to study the juvenilia of an array of pioneering writers and musicians. This new seminar is being offered to first year students in the English department at the University of Pennsylvania and explores the early work of some of our most respected wordsmiths, including our own Jane Austen and Taylor Swift. Sounds interesting!

Find out more at PennToday >>

First look at BBC’s Miss Austen

The first images of the BBC’s new adaptation of Gill Hornby’s Miss Austen have been released to the public, starring Keeley Hawes in the role of Cassandra Austen. The story, which will follow the lives of the Austen sisters, is yet to get an official release date, but the Austen news will be on it as soon as it drops!

Find out more at The Handbook >>

Trouble brewing at the Royal Society of Literature

It seems that there is trouble afoot inside the hallowed halls of the UK’s Royal Society for Literature, with many older members raising complaints about procedure and changes brought about by new management. The RSL inducts members with the hopes of fostering literary talent and recognising achievement in the field of literature. However, attempts to modernise and diversify the membership haven’t been received well by some, who have complained about the sidelining of older members.

Britain was almost headed for another regency…

Royal expert Robert Hardman has a new biography, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story . This looks like it could be an exciting one, containing many new revelations, not least that Buckingham Palace may have allegedly put in place plans to potentially put the now King Charles in the role of Regent in the last few years of Queen Elizabeth II’s life. This may have been due to fears for her health.

The Bear star reveals teen Mr Darcy mishap

We’ve all been enjoying awards season - it’s nice to see some glitz and glam when it's dark outside. Plus, it gives you an excuse to make a cinema trip or two. Matthew Macfadyen (2005’s Mr Darcy) has been making the rounds of this year’s award circuit for his role in HBO’s Succession. He ran into The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri at the Golden Globes, where she revealed to him that she got in trouble as a teenager for having a picture of the actor in his Pride and Prejudice days as her phone wallpaper.

Find out more at Decider >>

Bridgerton star up for Bafta

We all know Phoebe Dynevor for her star turn as Daphne Bridgerton, but she’s been making splashes elsewhere more recently. This year, she’s nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star award, thanks to her engaging performance in the movie Fair Play.