Episode 1
At 17, Jane Austen is growing up in a small English village. She starts to write stories, culminating in Pride and Prejudice.
At 17, Jane Austen is living in the village of Steventon, Hampshire, surrounded by a large family. Her father, George, a clergyman on a modest income, has a library of over 500 books - a treasure trove for a budding writer. Immersed in the classics, history and the emerging genre of the novel, Austen begins to tell her own stories.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Clips
![]()
Jane turns down an offer of marriage
Duration: 01:52
![]()
A pivotal moment for Jane Austen
Duration: 01:29
![]()
Piecing together the extraordinary life of Jane Austen
Duration: 01:53
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Juliet Stevenson |
| Executive Producer | Rob Coldstream |
| Executive Producer | David Glover |
| Series Editor | Rosie Schellenberg |
| Director | Ali Naushahi |
| Producer | Alexander Parsonage |
| Producer | Emily Thompson |
| Producer | Alice Boorman |
| Editor | Chris Dale |
| Production Manager | Emma Taylor |
| Production Company | 72 Films |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
![]()
Documentaries
The best of the BBC's Sign Language documentaries
![]()
The World of Writers
The fascinating people behind some of the world's most popular and influential books
![]()
Best of 2025
All the biggest History documentaries from 2025.
![]()
Celebrating Jane Austen
Celebrating her literary genius and characters including original heartthrob - Mr Darcy.
![]()
Documentaries and Lifestyle
Insightful stories from across the world
Step into Jane Austen’s world
Journey through the spaces that shaped her life with The Open University.
