The recently premiered Miss Austen, based on Gill Hornby’s 2020 novel of the same name, has been captivating audiences. The story blends fact and fiction to explore the enduring mystery of why Cassandra Austen (portrayed by Keeley Hawes) destroyed most of her younger sister Jane Austen’s (Patsy Ferran) personal letters.
The series features a mix of real and fictional characters, leading many viewers to question whether the romantic interest, Mr Henry Hobday (Max Irons), was a historical figure. Unfortunately for those hoping for a real-life Mr Hobday, the character is purely fictional, albeit with some grounding in reality.
Hornby, who resides in the actual village of Kintbury where the Fowles’ also lived, invented the character of Henry Hobday. She found the name on Kintbury’s war memorial.
The character was inspired by speculation from Jane and Cassandra’s niece Caroline, who suggested the sisters had met a gentleman in Sidmouth but was unsure if he held any significance for either Cassandra or Jane.
However, when Cassandra learned of this unknown man’s death years later, she became extremely upset. This led Hornby to believe this man might have been someone Cassandra held dear.
Mr Henry Hobday is a fictional character with roots in reality (Image: BBC)
[EXPLAINER]
Mr Hobday shares similarities with Mr Darcy in his sense of familial duty and his Derbyshire origins, prompting some to speculate about the inspiration behind Pride and Prejudice’s renowned hero.
In an exclusive chat with Express.co.uk, Heather Thomas, the Chair of The Jane Austen Society, delved into the perennial question: “That’s an old chestnut: who on Earth inspired Mr Darcy? I actually think there must have been some quite dashing fellows with money around at the time, not all of them, I think, with his code of honour.”
She mused further: “I think personally, he’s [Jane Austen’s] Prince Charming. He’s an invention largely of her own because she needed to bestow somebody who was really worth having on her light-hearted and mischievous heroine and who was a foil to Lizzy’s impetuousness, wayward behaviour.”
Cassandra Austen was smitten with Mr Henry Hobday (Image: BBC)
Thomas elaborated: “She needed someone who was really worth having from all points of view, so I think she invented it.”
Reflecting on the character’s origins, she added: “There are bits of other people but I think, my view is, he’s an invention pure and simple. It’s nice to think somebody out there like him, but you know what? No, I don’t think so.”
Thus, it appears both Mr Darcy and Mr Hobday are imaginative creations by their authors. While these characters may be figments of literary imagination, enthusiasts can delve deeper into the life and works of the esteemed author through The Jane Austen Society, which is organising a host of events this year to celebrate her 250th birthday.
Additionally, the society is encouraging devotees to create and share two-minute recordings expressing what Jane Austen means to them.
Miss Austen airs on One on Sundays at 9.05pm and is streaming as a boxset on iPlayer now
For more information about The Jane Austen Society, please visit