News for Austen Enthusiasts: June 2025

The summer of Jane Austen is here, and we're ready to celebrate. Whether you're making extra time to curl up with one of Jane Austen's books, planning a movie marathon, or joining us in Bath for the Jane Austen Festival in September, we're sure you will all find a way to mark her 250th birthday, ideally with a little sunshine on the side.

While you're making you're plans, here's all the Jane Austen news and updates from June!

The Jane Austen Festival is coming

It sneaks up on us every year! The Jane Austen Festival celebrates 250 years of Austen this September, and it's bigger and better than ever. It's not too late to get your hands on tickets for many events, including talks, performances and lectures. Dust off your bonnets and dig out your finest reticules, the festival is back!

Find out more at the Jane Austen Festival site >>

Jane Austen statue unveiled at Alton

The village of Alton, Hampshire, near Jane Austen's House in Chawton, has celebrated its Jane Austen connection with a new statue of the author. The statue, which has found its place outside the Alton Assembly Rooms, was unveiled by community leaders. Jane Austen's great-great-great-great-great niece, Caroline Knight, was also in attendance at the unveiling.

See the statue at the BBC>>

Meet the cast of The Other Bennet Girl

It's been a great year for adaptation news so far and this month saw many stars added to the cast list of The Other Bennet Girl, the new BBC adaptation of Janice Hadlow's reimagining of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of the ever-neglected Mary Bennet. The show is expected to premiere on the BBC next year!

Find out more about the casting here >> 

New Sense and Sensibility in the works

Normal People and Twisters star Daisy Edgar-Jones has given us a sneak peak into her casting in a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. Edgar-Jones has snapped up the role of Elinor, so the role of Marianne remains a mystery. Who would you cast to play the younger Dashwood sister? Those who are fearful about yet another adaptation being announced can be comforted by the fact that the production team assigned to this movie by Working Title also worked on the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and the 2020 Emma. 

Find out what we know so far from The Guardian >>

Jane Austen's school gets a plaque 

We don't know a huge amount about Jane Austen's time at school, but we do know that she spent 18 months at Reading Ladies Boarding School alongside her sister Cassandra in 1785 and 1786. As part of the 250th celebrations, Reading Museums are offering the rare opportunity to see inside the old schoolroom where Jane Austen learned, but if you're there midweek, you can now locate the school by the new plaque they've erected to Jane's time at the school.

Read more at the BBC >>

New Yorker critics praise Jane Austen

The New Yorker Critics At Large podcast has dedicated an episode to discussing the legacy of Jane Austen's work. They look to her novels to understand the enduring appeal of her novels, asking why they still resonate today. Excellent listening for your morning commute! 

Listen at the New Yorker >>

AS ALWAYS, WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF WE HAVE MISSED ANYTHING, AS WELL AS ALL YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEWS!