[Filling the Space is a flexible column where our writers can vent, deconstruct, and work their way around the emotions brought on by TV, films, books, music, and key moments in pop culture. This isn’t meant to be analytical, but instead, a way for us to explore our feelings.]
My Lady Jane, like Pushing Daisies, is a cancellation that’ll always stay with me. One I’ll consistently think about and get super upset about because it was too good, and I still hate that we couldn’t get at least one more season to wrap up the entire thing. Still, I love everything that’s come from My Lady Jane, like the actresses whose careers have blown up gorgeously, and they’ve become people I’ll follow in every genre.
And while we might not have My Lady Jane right now, it’s incredible to see what Emily Bader, Kate O’Flynn, and Abbie Hern are doing. Bader gave us one of the best rom-com performances in People We Meet on Vacation, and I can’t wait to see her in The 99’ers as well as the 13 Going on 30 reboot. Kate O’Flynn is taking the world by storm with her impeccable and award-winning performance as Patricia Moyer in Widow’s Bay. And Abbie Hern is bringing to life one of my favorite new characters in Ted Lasso as Lady Greyhounds striker, Gemma Jay.
When I first started watching the show, I only knew Edward Bluemell from A Discovery of Witches, Anna Chancellor from BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and various other movies, plus Dominic Cooper and his countless popular roles. But I came out of it most in awe of Emily Bader, and the way she brilliantly tricked us all with her near-perfect British accent and indescribable performances throughout. Immediately, I knew that she was an actress I’d love to see in other things, and People We Meet on Vacation cemented just how right that initial belief was.
And every time I rewatch My Lady Jane, which is all too often because it’s become a comfort show, Bader’s skills as an actor become even more remarkable. In comparing the show with Pushing Daisies, I love seeing Lee Pace in other properties so much that it’s now incredible to have that same feeling with the women of My Lady Jane. It’s especially admirable because a lot of times it feels like the men are hyped more than the women and aren’t given the roles they deserve, but that couldn’t be further from the truth in My Lady Jane. Casting directors recognized the incredible versatility in these women, and I selfishly love that with everything in me. Between the new season of Widow’s Bay and Ted Lasso, I hope we also get O’Flynn and Hern cast in more and more things.
Ultimately, to see how each of these women is constantly praised on social media is what’s so incredible to see. Every news piece we get of them booking another job is everything, and I hope it continues. Plus, the fandom is always so lovely, and that’s always a little lovely bonus.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Prime Video