#Title

‘MY LADY JANE’

shakes up British history with unapologetic romance and whimsy
‘My Lady
Jane’ doesn’t offer much that is new to the already crowded genre of cheekily anachronistic period pieces, such as the popular show ‘Bridgerton’. However, it executes the premise very well.
PHOTOS:
COLLECTED
SHABABA IQBAL
A lot of British history is incredibly depressing: the Black Death, Henry VIII’s numerous deceased wives (by his decree), religious wars, and so on. Authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows were inspired by all this bleakness to take history into their own hands with their revisionist YA novel, My Lady Jane . This 2017 New York Times bestseller reimagines Lady Jane Grey’s tragic, nine-day reign as the pawn Queen of England into a fantastical, swoon-worthy romance that allows Jane to become a player in her own story.
With the guidance of writer and showrunner Gemma Burgess, My Lady Jane translates well into an eight-episode Prime Video series that confirms that history is a lot more fun and watchable when approached with an unapologetically tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Although the series is set in 1553, My Lady Jane wastes no time in establishing its anachronistic, irreverent tone and voice through a hand-drawn, animated prologue that immediately elicits some hearty laughs. Through comically outrageous violence and a brilliantly snarky commentary from an omniscient narrator (Oliver Chris), we are provided with a summary of the actual history and the context behind why 17-year-old Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) held any significance for the Tudor dynasty. From there, the show takes off, establishing Jane’s predicament as the eldest daughter with no agency in a patriarchal society.
My Lady Jane packs a punch in every way imaginable, but it especially scintillates with the romance. When Jane coincidentally meets her intended, the charismatic Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), their chemistry, although initially antagonistic, is palpable and immediate, making their love story utterly addictive. The show explores a myriad of tropes while the characters deal with their chaotic everyday lives, making each episode more riveting than the one before it. While some moments feel slightly off from the overarching theme, it never detracts from the story’s progression.
In some cases, especially in historical pieces, couples are forced to consummate the marriage to add legitimacy, which often robs the woman of her agency. But My Lady Jane works because Guildford never forces that, and the two start their relationship as equals. As Jane and Guildford get to know each other, their disdain slowly becomes toleration, and then a genuine friendship. Their relationship feels believable, and their admiration for each other grows so carefully that when things progress, it is immensely gratifying for viewers to watch.
Notably, the smouldering will-they/won’t-they dynamic between Jane and Guildford is not the sole driving force of My Lady Jane . The story delves into numerous layers of political intrigues that revolve around the sickly King Edward VI (Jordan Peters) and his struggle to thwart the ambitions of his bitter half-sister, Mary (Kate O’Flynn), and her cunning partner. However, the most significant narrative element stems from supernatural origins—a conflict between Verities (normal humans) and Ethians (humans who can transform into specific animals). The monarchy, particularly Mary, views Ethians as abominations and places a bounty on their heads, often leading to their demise. The Verities/Ethians division also becomes a reason for Jane and Guildford to deepen their connection beyond just attraction.
The leads are supported by a cast who, as a company, never miss a beat in finding the right balance between heightened drama and smart humour. The show clearly benefits from its primarily female writers’ room, who aren’t shy about embracing a bawdier and more adult presentation of the story. They capture the book’s blithe approach to history while adding bite and intelligence to the dialogue.
However, fans of the historical figure Lady Jane Grey or those expecting a deeper exploration of female empowerment might be left feeling disappointed. The show’s focus on light-hearted humour and fantasy elements tends to overshadow the gravity of Jane’s real-life struggles and the importance of a woman briefly reigning on the throne.
My Lady Jane doesn’t offer much that is new to the already crowded genre of cheekily anachronistic period pieces, such as the popular show Bridgerton . However, it executes the premise very well. The strong chemistry between Bader and Bluemel ensures that the romantic comedy elements are firing on all cylinders—and they truly keep the viewers hooked.