Masterpiece on PBS introduces a fresh perspective on the Regency era’s romantic intrigues with a unique twist on Jane Austen’s story: Miss Austen explores the enigmatic life of the author herself. The series centers on Jane’s cherished sister, Cassandra (Keeley Hawes), as she embarks on a mission to preserve the author’s legacy… in a rather disputable manner.

**Spoilers for Miss Austen on Masterpiece on PBS, now streaming on PBS Passport**

For years, Jane Austen scholars have portrayed Cassandra Austen negatively due to her notorious act of burning Jane’s letters, depriving historians of the chance to uncover the “true” Jane. Masterpiece‘s Miss Austen seeks to rationalize Cassandra’s actions as a profound expression of love for her sister. Through a series of flashbacks, viewers not only glimpse how young Cassandra’s (Synnøve Karlson) personal heartbreaks influenced Jane’s (Patsy Ferran) writings, but also gain insight into why Jane chose not to let her personal struggles overshadow her literary works. In the show, Cassandra eventually destroys Jane’s letters to ensure that readers cherish the delight of Jane’s characters rather than dwell on the melancholy of her brief life. Furthermore, this act prevents her disagreeable sister-in-law Mary (Jessica Hynes) from exploiting Jane’s life for financial gain.

Miss Austen includes a charming romantic subplot in which Cassandra ingeniously employs the narrative of Jane Austen’s Persuasion to assist family friend Isabella Fowle (Rose Leslie) in rekindling her romance with first love, Dr. Lidderdale (Alfred Enoch). Yet, what intrigues viewers most is how the series’ portrayal of Jane Austen and the circumstances of her death align with historical facts known today.

How did Jane Austen die? What is Addison’s disease? And did Cassandra really miss a chance at happiness with the dashing Henry Hobday (Max Irons)? Here’s everything you need to know about the ending of Miss Austen on Masterpiece on PBS…

Miss Austen Ending Explained: What is Addison’s Disease? How Did the Real Jane Austen Die?

Miss Austen details how Cassy Austen might have had a second chance of romance with the (fictional) Henry Hobday, but ultimately chose to stay with her ailing sister. Jane Austen did in fact die young, in 1817, at the tender age of 41. We know that Austen began declining in 1816, but there is some debate as to the ultimate cause of her death.

In 1964, Zachary Cope attributed Austen’s death to Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is a rare form of adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms are slow and gradual, and can include stomach issues, overall weakness, weight loss, vomiting, and the darkening of one’s skin. While many scholars accept this posthumous diagnosis, others attribute Austen’s death to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

All we know for sure is that Jane Austen was ill for over a year before she passed away.

Is Miss Austen Based on a True Story? Was Henry Hobday a Real Person?

Masterpiece on PBS’s Miss Austen is based on Gill Hornby’s novel of the same name, which is, in turn, based on the real Jane Austen, Cassandra Austen, and their friends and relatives. For instance, Mary Austen was a real person who married into the Austen family. Young Cassandra was engaged to Tom Fowle (Calam Lynch), who did tragically die before their wedding. There was really a Dr. Lidderdale in the village where the Fowles lived and Isabella did marry him after her father’s death!!!

However, one part of Miss Austen is total fiction. There was no dashing gentleman named Henry Hobday who nearly swept Cassandra away from her fate as a spinster.

Interestingly enough, when DECIDER asked Miss Austen star Keeley Hawes if she thought Cassandra was haunted by what could have been with Tom Fowle or Henry Hobday, she insisted that Cassy was probably more torn up about a different loss.

“I think, as you say, the core love story is is between Jane and Cassy,” Hawes said. “Her sister was the love of her life and vice-versa.”

“I’d like to think that she didn’t have those sorts of regrets because she was there for Jane. Otherwise, it’s a bit too sad. Otherwise it’s just a bit too heartbreaking.”

Ultimately, Miss Austen is the story of how much Jane and Cassy loved each other.