The youngest of four children, Keeley Hawes once said hers was not an acting family, yet she is among Britain’s favourite TV actors.
She stars in Miss Austen, a four-part historical series based on a novel by Gill Hornby.
It’s far from Keeley’s first literary adaptation. She first gained prominence for roles in Our Mutual Friend and Tipping the Velvet.
The BBC launched Miss Austen on Sunday, February 2, 2025. All episodes are currently available to view on iPlayer, but it is also airing weekly at 9.05pm on BBC One.
Keeley keeps herself on track by staying occupied (Credit: Lorraine/YouTube)
TV star ‘envious’ of people with religious faith after family tragedy
Back in 2021, Keeley Hawes gave a tell-all interview in The Times, in which she delved into her experiences with depression. Talk of such was prompted, in her conversation, partly by the then-ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and partly by the shows she was in at the time.
“Grief is unique, isn’t it? To each one of us,” she told the paper.
A family member of hers had died after a “short and cruel” illness. She also admitted to feeling “envious” of people who have religious faith after a supportive vicar had helped the family during their bereavement.
“I’m quite envious actually of people who do. I’ve thought a great deal about it, particularly in I – you know, the idea of losing a child. I can’t imagine, obviously. But if people are helped and comforted by their faith then… I’m sure the older you get, there is comfort in faith.”
Despite not having faith herself, she can see how it would comfort people during times of bereavement (Credit: The Graham Norton Show/YouTube)
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