10 hours Ago By Neela Debnath
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Miss Austen The BBC One period drama Miss Austen reaches its dramatic conclusion tonight (Sunday, February 23), leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they discover the fate of the characters in this captivating series. The show, which is an adaptation of Gill Hornby's novel Miss Austen, has sparked curiosity among fans about the balance between historical accuracy and creative storytelling. One particular character that has intrigued audiences is the village doctor Dr Lidderdale, portrayed by Alfred Enoch.
Throughout the series, hints of a complex past involving Dr Lidderdale and Isabella Fowle (played by Rose Leslie) have been teased, but the full extent of their backstory remained shrouded in mystery. For those wondering about the authenticity of these characters, it will be comforting to know that Dr Lidderdale was indeed a real figure who was married to Isabella Fowle. However, given the disparities in their social standings, their journey to matrimonial bliss would not have been without its challenges.
In a revealing conversation with Express.co.uk, Heather Thomas, Chair of The Jane Austen Society, provided insights into the lives of Mr Lidderdale and Isabella Fowle.
She admitted that "very little" is known about the couple, adding that "Mr Lidderdale was a doctor and doctors didn't move in the same social circles as the Austens and the Bennets and Elliots of this world." Thomas referenced Mr Perry, the physician in Jane Austen's Emma, noting that although he was mentioned in the novel, his professional status excluded him from certain social events. He wasn't invited to dinner parties because he did not belong to the "same social stratum" as the gentry, being a working man.
In that era, the only working men who enjoyed high social standing were lawyers. Discussing Mr Lidderdale's social standing, she remarked: "He wasn't good enough. Not withstanding that, it seems to me, Isabella would have had nothing when her father died.
" She further commented on the realistic portrayal of societal norms in Miss Austen, noting, "It's realistic she would have been forbidden to marry the local doctor, of course, she did eventually." Thomas also shared insights into the blend of historical fact and creative fiction in the novel: "They were real people and of course you've got a very shadowy history of these people, it's open to novelists like Gill Hornby to invent where the vacuum is, and it's a completely legitimate exercise in imagination and very charming that she's done it." She didn't hold back in her description of Isabella's father Fulwar Craven Fowle (portrayed by Felix Scott), calling him "a bit of a battle-axe" due to his apparent disregard for his daughter's impending poverty upon his death.
"People had very strict ideas of which strata of society they occupied and they slip down easily if they didn't pay attention," Thomas elaborated. This year marks a significant milestone as The Jane Austen Society celebrates the 250th birthday of the esteemed author with numerous events nationwide. In addition, the Society invites enthusiasts to contribute a two-minute recording expressing what the author means to them.
For more information about The Jane Austen Society, please visit janeaustensociety.org.uk Miss Austen concludes on BBC One tonight at 9.
05pm and is streaming as a boxset now on BBC iPlayer.
