In this year’s showdown, we’re pitting two of Austen’s most calculating women against each other Elizabeth Elliot from Persuasion and Fanny Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. Both are masters of manipulation and self-interest, but in very different ways.

Elizabeth Elliot, ever-conscious of appearances, rules her social circle with icy elegance, dismissing anyone she deems beneath her while clinging to the illusion of superiority. Fanny Dashwood, meanwhile, is ruthless in her pursuit of wealth and comfort, quickly convincing her husband to cheat his half-sisters out of their inheritance and doing so with a smile.

As we dig into their stories, we’ll explore what drives these women: is it greed, pride, or pure vanity? And when it comes to cruelty cloaked in civility, who truly reigns supreme?

Join us as we compare their motives, methods, and misdeeds and help decide who will claim this year’s crown as the Ultimate Jane Austen Villain.

Where can you find Ellis?
Instagram: @historian_ellis

Where can you find Caily?
Instagram: @half_agony_half_hope

Where can you find your host, Izzy?
🌐 Website: www.whattheausten.com
🎧 Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten
📸 Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin
📺 YouTube: What the Austen? Podcast

It’s that time of year again, spooky season! 🎃 Join Martha and me as we dive into our fourth Horrid Novel, Regina Maria Roche’s Clermont. In this episode, we unravel the twists and turns of this wonderfully Gothic tale, from mysterious family secrets to dramatic reunions. We chat about the novel’s influence on Jane Austen, share plenty of laughs, and get lost in all the gloriously over-the-top moments that make these stories so much fun to revisit. Perfect for fellow Gothic literature lovers and Austen fans alike! I always love doing these Eps! Me and Martha have also read, and have episodes for: The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza ParsonsThe Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann RadcliffeThe Monk by Matthew Lewis#GothicNovels #JaneAusten #Clermont

What was Jane Austen’s world really like? 🤔 Far from the serene ballrooms and genteel romances we often imagine, Austen lived through decades of chaos, revolution, war, and empire. In this episode of What the Austen? I’m joined by historian and author Helena Kelly to uncover how these turbulent times shaped Austen’s life, her family, and her novels 📖We explore how Britain was at war for most of Austen’s adult life, and how the ever-present shadow of revolution, empire, and fear of invasion formed the backdrop to her writing. Helena explains how Austen’s own family connections tied her directly to politics and the military, and how her fiction reflects and sometimes conceals the radical realities of her era. Together, we also look at Austen’s sharp psychological insight into her characters, which makes her novels so enduringly relevant 👒The Worlds of Jane Austen Helena's new book which peels back the layers of myth to reveal the real Regency world behind the novels is OUT NOW! What surprised you most about the real world of Jane Austen? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🤍

“How could Jane Austen write so convincingly about love and heartbreak if she never fell in love?”In this episode, I’m joined by author and literary critic Paula Byrne to explore Jane Austen’s love life, beyond the well-known stories.You might already know about the dashing Tom Lefroy, made famous in Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. Or perhaps you’ve giggled at the tale of Harris Bigg-Wither, whose proposal Jane accepted only to change her mind and flee less than 24 hours later.But what if there was another man in her life... one whose story is filled with passion, longing, and heartbreak?Paula and I dive into the mysterious seaside romance Jane is believed to have experienced in the summer of 1801. Could this be the man who truly captured her heart? Paula's new novel Six Weeks by the Sea is her fictional reimagining of this emotional and enigmatic chapter of Austen's life.📖 Where can you find Paula? Six Weeks by the Sea – Out 28th August (UK) / 5th August (US)Author of Jane Austen: The Genius of Jane Austen (featured in the BBC documentary)Belle: The True Story of Dido BelleAnd many more acclaimed biographies and novels.@paulajaynebyrne on Instagram and XFollow me on Instagram: @whattheaustenWhat the Austen? is available wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by actress and writer Susannah Harker forever beloved to many of us as Jane Bennet in the iconic 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice. Nearly thirty years on, Susannah is stepping back into Jane’s world, but this time, she’s reimagining the character’s life (and her own) in a brand-new comedy-drama, Jane Bennet’s Second Spring.In this episode, we trace her journey from becoming Jane Bennet during the height of Austenmania, to exploring the complexities of midlife, resilience, and reinvention. We talk about the quiet strength of Jane Bennet, the stereotypes women face as they age, and why telling multifaceted, authentic women’s stories matters more than ever.Susannah also shares the inspiration behind her new film, a witty, moving, and deeply relatable story of a woman whose golden age is just beginning. This conversation is part nostalgia, part creative deep-dive, and part rallying cry for women to own all their stories. Not just the ones others expect us to tell.Where can you find Susannah? Support the Kickstart and get involved with the film: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/susannahharker/jane-bennets-second-spring@[email protected] me on Instagram:  @whattheausten  Support my other channel  @Izzymeakin ​

Join me, Sophie, and Abbie for a post-ball debrief as we spill all the tea from my very first Regency ball experience—hosted at one of their fabulous seasonal events! From dance floor dos and don’ts to must-have accessories, we’re sharing our top tips, tricks, and lessons learned to help you feel confident and have the time of your life at your next historical ball. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a first-time attendee, this episode is packed with laughs, helpful advice, and behind-the-scenes stories.

🎉 GIVEAWAY: 18th–25th July
Win a ticket to a 2026 Regency Ball in Reading! Sophie and Abbie are kindly giving away one ticket exclusively to one of my listeners. See my instagram post @whattheausten for the info on how to enter! 

Where to Find Sophie & Abbie:
📸 @laughingwithlizzie
🎨 @abigailrosecreative
🛍️ Lizzie & Rose – Reasonably Priced Regency Accessories

✨ Sign up for Laughing with Lizzie’s newsletter via the link in her Instagram bio to stay up to date on future events and releases.

Want the full first-time ball experience? Watch my vlog from their Springtide Ball on YouTube! @IzzyMeakin

In this episode, I’m joined by Neha and Shruti from The Novel Tea podcast to talk all things Emma, the most Marmite of Jane Austen’s heroines. From her unshakable confidence to her curated little world in Highbury, is Emma Woodhouse the blueprint for today’s “That Girl” trend? We explore how shifting attitudes around singledom, self-assurance, and main character energy might just mean that Emma’s time has finally come.Where can you find Neha and Shruti? The Novel Tea on all podcasting platforms @thenoveltea.podSubstack - https://thenovelteapod.substack.com/

It’s my 27th birthday or as we Janeites like to say, my Charlotte Lucas birthday! To mark the occasion, I opened up the floor to your questions about all things Austen, books, podcasting and life. In this episode, I’m answering all the questions I was sent e.g. which Austen character would I interview? What books did I read growing up? etc. Thank you to everyone who sent in a question 🤍 it was such a lovely way to reflect and connect. I hope you enjoy this slightly more personal episode of What the Austen? 📖

@abigailrosecreative  @laughingwithlizzie6038 ​

In this episode I'm joined by Caily to unpack the enduring allure of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Together, we explore The Darcy Effect—why this seemingly aloof gentleman continues to captivate readers over two centuries later. Is Mr. Darcy truly the archetype of the Romantic hero, or does he lean closer to the brooding complexities of a Byronic figure? We take a deep dive into his character. Join us for a rich discussion full of nuance and theory 🤍I've done loads of episodes with Caily over the years including unpopular opinions and Villain off's so be sure to check those out too! Please also subscribe and if you want to support the podcast further leaving a review on one of the podcasting platforms like Apple and Spotify makes such a huge difference! Thanks Janeites 🤍

IMPORTANT NOTE (fetch the smelling salts!!): Dolly Alderton reached out! Yes, she listens to the podcast! And yes, she is a true fellow Janeite. The festival referred to was a literary festival. Dolly was invited to debate with Sebastian Faulks. You don’t get to choose what you debate or which side you’re on. Dolly said yes because she loved the book (Pride and Prejudice), as does Sebastian, and it was just fun to talk about Darcy on stage. She hadn’t read Wuthering Heights — which is in fact what she said on stage. Dolly noted she would never have debated a book she hadn’t read. It wasn’t about the TV show or film as this was at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. You know I’ll always be honest with you Janeites, and I’ve apologised to Dolly — I should have done more due diligence when researching for the episode. I’d hate to spread any information that isn’t true, so I’m really glad to now have the full story! Also, no shade at all to my lovely listener who shared the initial information with me, it was down to me as the host to check all the data. Love, Izzy x

Pinned by @whattheausten@whattheausten5 seconds ago

Netflix has just announced a brand new Pride and Prejudice adaptation, and you know I had to weigh in! In this episode, I’m chatting through all the early details—from Dolly Alderton writing the screenplay to the fresh marketing strategy, which seems much more tailored to the Janeite and bookish community.

We talk about what we’ve loved in past adaptations, where there might still be space for a new take on this beloved novel, and yes... we do share our concerns (especially after the whole Persuasion situation).Hope you enjoy it!Where can you find Dr Kayla Jones:  @regencyrumours  on all platforms