Behind the MASTERPIECE: A Season Preview (Ep. 60)

Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters

PBS MASTERPIECE Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer Susanne Simpson previews the historical dramas for the 2024-2025 season with a spotlight on two new series: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT based on the final novel in Dame Hilary Mantel’s (1952-2022) multi award-winning trilogy about Thomas Cromwell and Henry the VIII; and MISS AUSTEN, a series adapted from Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel inspired by the real-life literary mystery involving Cassandra Austen who burned her famous sister Jane Austen’s letters after Jane’s death. 2025 will be the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.

The iconic award-winning MASTERPIECE and MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! dramas can be enjoyed Sundays on PBS (check local listings).

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TIMESTAMPS

0:01 - annual preview of MASTERPIECE and MYSTERY! PBS series

2:16 - Welcome Susanne Simpson, executive producer

6:43 - Update on MISS SCARLET, formerly MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE

8:36 - WOLF HALL, THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT, Hilary Mantel novel adaptation

12:31 - MISS AUSTEN, Gill Hornby novel adaptation, and women's financial fragility

23:24 - Generic Break

23:28 - Impact of historical drama on modern audiences

28:09 - Challenges and changes in historical drama production

35:17 - Impact of streaming services and changes in the industry

44:03 - Securing the MASTERPIECE legacy

48:30 - Support for PBS stations and looking toward future podcasts

49:32 - Closing remarks and final thoughts52:02 Disclaimer

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