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.
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.”
Keeley Hawes opens up about experiencing depression
Talk of death and Covid-19 inevitably led to talk of loneliness – and depression.
On this point, Keeley says she has found it easier to stay afloat during bouts of depression, or sidestep them altogether, by keeping herself busy.
Keeping busy helps, being forced to carry on, because inevitably it will pass.
“It sort of sounds like a flippant thing to say: ‘It’s easier if you’re busy. Distract yourself.’ You have to carry on and it does get better. It helps me to keep busy and to keep my mind busy.”
She stressed that it’s nothing to be ashamed of, despite feeling ashamed of it herself for a long time.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, you know. I was ashamed of it for a long time. I was really embarrassed and now, looking back, it was only sort of 10 years ago or something I think that I spoke out, maybe not even that. It’s not that long ago and people are talking about it more now and I think that can only be a really good thing.”
‘It never goes away’
The actress also spoke to the Mail about her depression the year previously.
“It’s something that never goes away. I think it’s in your DNA if you suffer with it… I have become better equipped at looking after myself. I’ve tried various things over the years. Keeping busy helps, being forced to carry on, because inevitably it will pass,” she said.
Speaking about her struggles with anxiety, she added: “It’s a very human thing, isn’t it, to worry about what you say and how you are perceived.
‘It can escalate quickly’
Keeley has suffered with depression since she was a teenager. “I started suffering with depression when I was 17,” Keeley previously told Red magazine. “[Therapy] hasn’t worked for me. I’ve got a chemical imbalance that has to be managed. And then it’s fine.
“It’s not something that’s cured and then goes away and you move on. You are always aware, even if it’s only on a bad morning here and there, that it can escalate quickly.”
Read more: Why Keeley Hawes left first husband just eight weeks after marrying him: ‘It was just horrible’
Miss Austen continues on BBC One at 9pm on Sundays.
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