The BBC has unveiled a brand-new drama that Jane Austen enthusiasts simply cannot afford to miss.

This new series is timed perfectly with the 250th birthday of the celebrated author of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.

The drama forms part of an array of programming dedicated to honouring the significant milestone of this esteemed writer.

Jane Austen: Rise of Genius, currently available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, provides an in-depth exploration of the life of the best-selling author.

Over three episodes, viewers will witness Austen’s revolutionary approach to novel writing as she carves her own unique path, reports Surrey Live.

The narration for Jane Austen: Rise of Genius is provided by Juliet Stevenson, known for her roles in Bend It Like Beckham and Emma (1996), who guides us through the intriguing twists and turns of the author’s life.

Much of the series draws from the surviving correspondence between Austen and her sister Cassandra Austen, many of which were destroyed posthumously by her sibling to safeguard the author’s legacy and reputation.

The series blends cinematic scenes with insights from writers, actors, historians, and experts.

Contributors include Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Queenie writer Candice Carty-Williams, and Kate Atkinson.

Actors featured in the series include Charity Wakefield from Sense and Sensibility and Wolf Hall, Greta Scacchi of Emma fame, Samuel West from All Creatures Great and Small, Tamsin Greig of Friday Night Dinner and Belgravia, and Greg Wise from Emma.

Among the experts and historians featured are Dr Paula Byrne, Admiral Lord West, Dr Priya Atwal, Dr Louise Curran, Dr Paddy Bullard, and renowned director Ken Loach.

The series has already earned an impressive 8.8/10 rating on IMDb, making it a must-watch for those seeking a fresh perspective on one of England’s most esteemed authors.

BBC iPlayer offers a plethora of other content as well, including the charming four-part adaptation of Gill Hornby’s novel Miss Austen, which provides a fictionalised account of the author’s life.

Miss Austen delves into the mystery of why Cassandra burnt her sister’s letters and reimagines the lives and romances of the two sisters.

Furthermore, it explores long-lost loves with echoes of Persuasion and delivers a heartwarming conclusion befitting an Austen novel.

Also available is the 2005 Hollywood adaptation of Pride and Prejudice featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

For those yearning for Colin Firth’s iconic portrayal of Mr Darcy emerging from a lake, the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is available.

Jennifer Ehle stars as Elizabeth Bennet, while Alison Steadman delivers a memorable performance as the dramatic Mrs Bennet.

Other offerings include Persuasion (1995) with Ciarán Hinds and Amanda Root, as well as the BBC’s 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.

Jane Austen: Rise of Genius is streaming on the BBC iPlayer now