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With genuinely hilarious moments, multiple romantic tropes, and a historical accuracy rating of zero, My Lady Jane is the perfect binge-worthy and feel-good entertainment for the summer.
Direction: Jamie Babbit and
Stefan Schwartz
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mazon Prime Video is dishing out book adaptations left and right to keep us entertained this summer.
Book devotees [like me] might love these adaptations for bringing our favorite stories to life or despise them for butchering our beloved characters. Either way, they’re creating quite a buzz.
My Lady Jane is one such adaptation, based on the novel by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand.
I have to admit, what drew me to My Lady Jane was an Instagram reel that popped up in my feed. One moment I was mindlessly scrolling, and the next minute I was hooked, curiosity piqued, and ready to dive into an eight-episode, binge-watch session.
Created by Gemma Burgess and directed by Jamie Babbit and Stefan Schwartz, My Lady Jane offers a modern twist on the tragic tale of England’s nine-day queen, Lady Jane Grey.
The series is a modern twist to a tragic tale, reimagined with a hefty dose of humor, a sprinkle of romance, and a total disregard for historical accuracy.
In the mayhem of the My Lady Jane universe, Emily Bader shines as the determined Jane Grey, rewriting history with a twist of her own. Forget the tragic queen; this Jane seizes fate by the horns, defying norms and confronting family intrigue and royal rivalries head-on.
Jane, a skilled herbalist, is thrown into turmoil when her conniving mother arranges her marriage to Guildford Dudley, played by Edward Bluemel, a man cloaked in scandalous whispers. Despite her attempts to escape, and pleads to the King himself, Jane finds herself blackmailed into marrying the very Dudley she resented, albeit with an unforeseen twist that defies historical fiction conventions.
As the story unfolds, Jane finds herself at the center of court intrigue and schemes as she struggles to grapple with her own challenges while trying to bring stability to a kingdom when her own crown is at stake.
Emily Bader’s portrayal of Jane Grey is captivating with a blend of wit and resilience, crafting a protagonist worth rooting for despite her flaws. Her on-screen chemistry with Edward Bluemel, who embodies Guildford Dudley with depth, adds an engaging dynamic to the narrative.
Actors in supporting roles such as Jordan Peters as King Edward, who is grappling with illness amidst political intrigue, and Dominic Cooper as the scheming Lord Seymour, further enhance the show. Kate O’Flynn shines as the unhinged Queen Mary, alongside talents like Anna Chancellor, Abbie Hern, and Henry Ashton among others.
The series delves into fantasy by exploring a simmering conflict between the Verity purebloods and the Ethians, who can effortlessly transform into animals. Banished to the kingdom’s fringes, the Ethians are left to fend for themselves through hunting, begging, stealing, or plainly disguising themselves among Verity.
King Edward, influenced by his sisters and advisors, turns a blind eye to these attacks, fueling growing resentment between the two groups. While the show doesn’t explicitly aim to draw this parallel, for me, it resonates with the historical divide between Catholics and Protestants, showcasing intolerance and diversity in a subtle yet tasteful manner through magical animals and giving an imperative message of inclusion to the audience.
The show also follows in the footsteps of Bridgerton, tweaking history by including non-white actors in the cast. It’s always appreciated when we see more representation on screen. Another standout aspect of the show is its bold experimentation with genres and historical facts, creating something both risky and largely unexplored.
Of course, besides the obvious alteration of historical facts, the creators completely mess with you by adding modern-day music and everyday dialogues in Tudor times. One moment you’re seeing these grand castles where the king is being treated for his disease with old-school remedy, and the next moment, you hear a modern song like Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile’s ‘Fear Is Like The Forest’ pop.
What further enhances the series is Oliver Chris’ narration. He manages to keep us hooked throughout.
Is there anyone I wouldn’t recommend this show to? Well, if you’re a historical buff who will feel an itch or two with the changes to the facts, you learned during history lessons, it might not be the right option for you. For everyone else, strap in for an exciting ride.
All in all, My Lady Jane is a feel-good and frivolous outing that will give you moments of awe and make you crack up at certain instances. With only eight episodes, it’s binge-worthy and doesn’t demand a huge commitment.
Rating system: *Not on your life * ½ If you really must waste your time ** Hardly worth the bother ** ½ Okay for a slow afternoon only *** Good enough for a look see *** ½ Recommended viewing **** Don’t miss it **** ½ Almost perfect ***** Perfection
