Alert Janeite Boris posted in comments a synopsis of the first episode of Lost in Austen from ITV’s website; it’s got quite a bit of detail that might be considered spoilery, so be warned. The first episode will be broadcast on Wednesday, September 3, from 9-10 p.m. We presume the other episodes will fill the same time slot in subsequent weeks. Notice it is not being broadcast during the family hour. Hmmmm.

Which brings us to the item that irritates us the most in this synopsis: “Episode 1 of 4.” ITV is giving this thing well over 3 hours when NA, MP, and Persuasion got less than 90 minutes each.

John Sutherland snarks a bit in the Guardian, but like everyone else, isn’t quite sure what to expect.

A couple of articles in the British press discuss the autumn trend of costume dramas, feeding on the success of the Austen adaptations from last year as well as Cranford and Lark Rise to Candleford. The Daily Mail suggests this trend is meant to offer comfort in a time of economic uncertainty, though a commenter points out that one of the upcoming films, an adaptation of Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles, is hardly a comfortable story. The Times has a similar article.