Prime Video’s My Lady Jane is a new historical fantasy series based on the novel written by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. It’s a great showcase of heart, comedy, and drama.
It’s not historically accurate by any means, but it is an utter treat with a great cast at its helm. The show also takes some liberties from the book, as most adaptations must do, but it still stays true to the overall themes and characters.
Here are five reasons you should watch My Lady Jane.
1. My Lady Jane Delivers History with a Fantastical Twist
Is it historically accurate? Absolutely not. Yet, that’s part of the reason we love it. My Lady Jane takes a piece of history and turns it on its head. The show introduces audiences to the actual history where King Edward dies of tuberculous, Lady Jane Grey is named queen, and then she and her husband, Guildford Dudley, are executed shortly after. It laughs at itself while it does this, making the twist even more riveting.
The show then changes the narrative while adding a dash of magic that plays a huge role in the story. The costumes are really nice, too and while, once again, not accurate, they look beautiful and feel like they are from the 1500s with adjustments that are more appealing to a modern audience.
2. The Story Is Well-Paced
One of the best parts of My Lady Jane is how well-paced the series is. The narrative feels like it’s constantly moving forward but not rushing through things even while it’s jam-packed. The characters have time to breathe and engage in great conversations that make the story more compelling.
All the side plots tie into the main story and themes for an intricately balanced ensemble show with the leads, Emily Bader as Jane and Edward Bluemel as Guildford, shining at the center. Further, in this version of England, some people can shapeshift into animals and those who cannot fear them and want them dead. Our heroes have to navigate the turmoil in England that poses problems for them personally, as well as the country. This story would’ve gotten convoluted and muddied on any other show, but here, the pacing leaves us fully satisfied.
3. It’s Funny
My Lady Jane is laugh-out-loud funny and ridiculous in all the best ways. The show made us laugh multiple times, largely due to a fantastic Oliver Chris’ fantastic narration and the unserious tone. It’s also easy to appreciate the commentary on life during that time. Its whimsical tone is reminiscent of Ella Enchanted, Galavant, or Rosaline. Like those narratives, it does not take itself too seriously, but it still delivers on the more emotional and dramatic moments in the narrative.
4. Lovable and Complex Characters
The show is full of riveting characters and intertwining storylines, establishing them and grounding the tale thoughtfully. The characters are multifaceted and have dimensions. I found myself understanding Jane’s mother, Francis, Anna Chancellor, while also being angry with her. The way she shows love is complicated and so interesting that it makes the story more fascinating. As with Lord Dudley, he truly loves his sons and will do everything he can to protect them while also using them to get himself more power.
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Our heroes have more to them than meets the eye. Jane Grey is a strong character with a sense of justice and ambition who can handle the obstacles that are thrown her way. Guildford Dudley turns out to be so much more than a rake with his tortured past and complicated present, which leads him to Jane. And which leads us to…
5. The Romance
Unsurprisingly, our favorite thing about My Lady Jane is that it’s unapologetically romantic. Jane and Guildford are an utter treat. They have lust at first sight with each other, which turns into hate and then once again morphs into something new over the course of the season. And it’s a beautiful adventure through and through.
Their banter is top-tier, and the chemistry is undeniable. They even have some great conversations, which, if you know anything about us, you know that we adore vulnerable moments like this. Their interactions had me yelling and laughing on multiple occasions, making it a true joy to watch their love story unfold. There are some other romances as well that are adorable and some that are mildly creepy? But I was rooting for multiple ships, which often makes a series more enjoyable.
Related Content: Relationship Deep Dive: Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley
My Lady Jane is such a fun watch, and we cannot recommend it enough. The heart and comedy are the show’s core, perfect for some much-needed escapism. There is still more of the book for them to cover, so we’ll be hoping for a renewal to see where our heroes go from here.
My Lady Jane Season 1 is now streaming on Prime Video.
First Featured Image Credit: Prime Video
Editor Note: As of August 16, the show has been canceled on Prime Video. We could still hope for a renewal elsewhere, but if you are still hesitant to watch, know that the show is worth every minute.