News for Austen Enthusiasts: April 2025

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As the 250th year of Jane Austen trundles towards its midpoint, more and more exciting news seems to crop up! It seems that the occasion has triggered a kind of Austen-mania. It certainly is a good time to be an Austen fan. We'd love to hear in the comments which pieces of news have got you the most excited for what's coming up!

Jane Austen novels to get fresh Folio treatment

If you're anything like me, you have also lost hours of your life to scrolling through the pages of the Folio Society website, daydreaming about a library full of their gorgeous hardback editions. Well, great news for Austen fans (or, terrible news for our bank accounts) -- the Folio Society are producing a new fleet of Jane Austen special editions. Only 750 boxsets of all six of Jane Austen's novels will be made available this September, and the Folio Society expect them to sell out lightning fast.

Learn more at Entertainment Focus >>

**Dolly Alderton to adapt Pride and Prejudice for Netflix**

The big Jane Austen news of April was that a new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is set to hit the small screen, with Dolly Alderton adapting the novel for Netflix. Jack Lowden is set to star as Darcy, whilst Emma Corrin will step into the role of Elizabeth Bennet. National treasure Olivia Colman has also accepted the role of Mrs Bennet. We'll be keeping you abreast of all the developments as they come, but we're hopeful this one will be better than the Persuasion clunker!

Read the Jane Austen blog on the new cast! >>

Jane Austen meets the Guardian cartoon

Devotees of the Guardian comic strip penned by Tom Gauld will have been delighted to spot an Austen-themed strip in the April 26th edition of the paper. In the strip, the cartoonist extols the virtues of the practice of 'microdosing Austen.'

See it on the Guardian website >>

Cassandra Austen's artwork to go on display

Cassandra Austen's sketch of her sister Jane, on display at the National Gallery, is possibly the most famous image we have of her. A skilled artist, Cassandra painted watercolours of many of her family members, many of which will go on display at Chawton, their family home, from April 29th. Viewing of Cassandra's work will be free with entry to Jane Austen's House.

Learn more at the Guardian >>

Tatler predicts Jane Austen wedding trends

Journalist Naomi Pike has written an article for Tatler predicting that we're right on the verge of a big Regency wedding Renaissance. Empire lines? Check. It seems that several fashion designers have featured Empire cuts in their recent collections. In her article, Pike makes suggestions as to how to style these dresses in a fresh, modern way. Got an engagement ring?

Check out her advice at Tatler >>

Regency looks dominate the runways

It's not just weddings that Regency fashion looks are seeping into -- Regency-inspired looks are all over the runways at the moment. Vogue have put together a gallery of recent runway looks that take inspiration from Austen's period, including spencers, Empire lines, classical silhouettes, and more risqué sheer variations on Regency silhouettes.

Get inspired by the Vogue gallery >>

A ginger Darcy? Jack Lowden breaks the stereotypes

It was announced this month that Scottish actor Jack Lowden would be playing Mr Darcy in the new Pride and Prejudice. Now, Lowden's strawberry-blonde complexion has ruffled some feathers, but the actor believes he has what it takes to take on the traditionally dark-haired role. He joked about his hair colour on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. As a Scot myself, I'm inclined to defend him!

Find out more at the BBC >>

Gill Hornby's new Austen-adjacent title publishing in May

If you've been enjoying the BBC's Miss Austen this year, you might be pleased to know that Gill Hornby is back with a third Austen-themed title. The Elopement will be published on 22nd May, following the Austen-Knights from Hornby's previous Godmersham Park. This book is to follow Mary Dorothea Knatchbull, who plans to marry one Mr Knight, if only other people would stop getting in their way.

Find out more on the Penguin website. >>

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

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