News for Austen Enthusiasts: June 2026

The heat here in Jane Austen's England has this blog editor feeling like a fainting waif, craving a trip to the seaside - maybe to Lyme Regis - for a breath of sea breeze. It's been scorching here throughout June, and the heat doesn't look like it will be abating any time soon. Time to don the parasols and get out the fans, it's time for the Jane Austen news update! 

Here's all the Jane Austen news and updates you might have missed in June! 

The trailer for Sense and Sensibility is finally here 

We've been hotly anticipating news of the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esme Creed-Myles as the Dashwood sisters. We've finally got a trailer, and it looks pretty promising. It feels like a long time since we've had a big adaptation of this one, and the spectre of Ang Lee's 1995 adaptation will loom large over this one. What do we think? We can expect this one later this year.

Watch it at Variety >>

The Other Bennet Sister confirms Christmas specials

It feels like The Other Bennet Sister has been this year's surprise hit of not only the Jane Austen world but of British TV in general. Ella Bruccoleri won over the general public with her portrayal of the most neglected Bennet sister, Mary. Well, we're getting some more. It has been confirmed that three more episodes of the show will air on the BBC over the festive period. Result!

Read more at Hello! >>

Can Sense and Sensibility be demure and 'brat'?

In her new article for LitHub, writer Samantha Silva discusses the process of modernising Sense and Sensibility as a time-travel novel. She reasons through the ideas of being 'demure' or 'brat' as the contemporary iterations of Sense and Sensibility as two opposing worldviews. Her new novel Sometime this Century is out now.

Read more at LitHub >>

Ten-day festival celebrates Jane Austen's life and work 

After last year's festivities for Jane Austen's 250th birthday, we all wondered how regular annual events might build more momentum going forward. This year's annual Jane Austen Regency Week in Alton, Hampshire, promised all the highlights of last year's festivities alongside some new inclusions. 

Read more at the Alton Herald >>

Indie Northanger Abbey film falls apart in pre-production

An independent film production of Northanger Abbey has fallen apart in pre-production. Bectu, a creative workers union, has called for better pay protections for freelance workers after the production team behind the movie failed to pay crew members money owed. Several crew members are now pursuing legal action.  

Read more at Deadline >>

Theatre by the Lake has a Jane Austen twist this summer

Theatregoers of the Lake District were treated to a performance of Austenian delights this Theatre by the Lake season. By A Lady is a two-woman show starring Austentatious's Rachel Parris and Doon Mackichan as Jane and Cassandra Austen. The play weaves together Jane Austen's own words with scenes from her novels. The show is still on tour - hopefully it's coming to a theatre near you! 

Read the interview with Rachel Parris >>

Women's Prize winners announced 

As fans of one of the greatest female authors of all time, we love to celebrate the achievements of the lady novelist. We're always excited to see the shortlist for the Women's Prize each year, and now we have the added excitement of the non-fiction prize too. Click the link below to find out who won!

See the full announcement at the Women's Prizes website >>

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