This summer, amidst the buzz around period dramas, “My Lady Jane” burst onto the scene, touted as a fresh, modernized take on historical romance, even daring to challenge “Bridgerton”’s reign. With promises of humor, spice, and romance, it quickly populated social media feeds, sparking curiosity. Succumbing to the hype, I dedicated a day to binge-watching all eight episodes of “My Lady Jane” on Amazon Prime Video. Reflecting now, while the series possesses a certain binge-able quality, viewers might find themselves questioning if their time was well-spent.
“My Lady Jane” is undeniably crafted for rapid consumption. Employing a narrative voice-over, a technique popularized by shows like “Bridgerton,” “Jane the Virgin,” and “Never Have I Ever,” the series minimizes mental exertion. Any semblance of mystery is fleeting, quickly resolved for the audience, even if characters remain in the dark. The show adopts a brazenly lewd and occasionally shocking comedic tone, a departure from its source material, the young adult novel. The plot hurtles forward relentlessly, a whirlwind of twists and turns designed to keep viewers perpetually on the hook, gasping for breath between each dramatic reveal.
The series reimagines the narrative of Lady Jane Grey, the historical “nine-day queen.” From the outset, the narrator sets the stage for deviation from historical record: “Jane could have been the leader England needed but instead history remembers her as the ultimate damsel in distress. Screw that. What if history were different?” This sets a decidedly irreverent, tongue-in-cheek tone.
Fear not, historical purists! This “My Lady Jane” iteration assures us it’s not disrespecting the real Lady Jane Grey’s tragic fate. Gone is the portrayal of Jane as a powerless pawn in Tudor courtly machinations, a victim of political forces beyond her control. No longer is she the passive damsel, a figure deemed detrimental to feminist ideals. Instead, we are presented with an “empowered,” “fearless firecracker” who… remains, essentially, a pawn of the court. However, in this version, she avoids execution, and her husband is, we are told, attractive.
The show ostensibly rejects the real Jane Grey’s tragedy, yet it simultaneously exploits her name and historical context. It seems to believe that simply imbuing Jane with a more assertive personality somehow rectifies the historical injustices she faced. She still grapples with sidelining, endures false accusations, and faces execution threats stemming from political maneuvering. The series appears to skirt around the core reasons for Jane’s historical plight. It dismisses the real Jane Grey as a damsel, replacing her with a supposedly upgraded model – one who is intelligent, ambitious, and spirited. Yet, by the narrative’s conclusion, the show inadvertently underscores that these “upgrades” are ultimately inconsequential. The tragedy of Lady Jane Grey’s story isn’t rooted in her personality, but in the political machinery that ensnared her. Her lack of agency is the central tragedy, a point the show seems to grasp belatedly.
The opening narration epitomizes a more pervasive issue: the show’s superficiality. There’s no profound commentary on the real Jane Grey’s life or historical representation. The thematic depth extends only to a simplistic allegory for prejudice, embodied in the “Ethians”—magical beings capable of shapeshifting into animals. This conflict loosely parallels the historical religious strife between Catholics and Protestants of the Tudor era.
While intricate explorations of Tudor religious tensions might be deemed excessive for a young adult-oriented series, many YA fantasy narratives successfully integrate complex world-building. Presenting a straightforward “us vs. them” narrative of group antagonism is a common, and sometimes valuable, trope in the YA genre. It can introduce younger audiences to concepts of challenging the status quo and critical engagement with societal structures. However, when a show’s YA origins are most evident in its simplistic political messaging, it signals a potential lack of sophistication.
For a TV-14 rated series, particularly one that leans into mature themes through crude humor, a deeper engagement with historical and thematic complexities seems warranted. Instead, the fantastical alterations to Lady Jane’s story feel not only superfluous but also hollow, and arguably disrespectful to the historical figures upon whom they are loosely based.
Promotional still from “My Lady Jane” showcasing the main actors in period-inspired attire, hinting at the show’s blend of history and fantasy.
So, why did “My Lady Jane” initially garner online enthusiasm? As previously mentioned, its binge-ability is a key factor. The show constantly reveals answers to the audience ahead of the characters, creating a soap opera-esque dynamic where dramatic irony substitutes for genuine suspense. Even outlandish plot devices, like resurrections or secret identities, are deployed without subtlety or foreshadowing, prioritizing immediate shock value over narrative depth.
Recent critiques have targeted music for allegedly pandering to the TikTok algorithm: prioritizing short, dopamine-triggering, 15-second video snippets over artistic integrity. Audiences are increasingly discerning, recognizing when artists and labels prioritize virality over authenticity. “My Lady Jane” prompts a similar question: is this trend infiltrating other media forms? The show’s rapid-fire dialogue and heightened drama seem tailor-made for content clipping – short, attention-grabbing excerpts designed for platforms like TikTok, enticing viewers to consume entire series in fragmented parts.
It’s conceivable that Amazon Prime Video prioritized this type of easily digestible, “clippable” entertainment. The swift cancellation of “My Lady Jane” after a single season suggests potentially unrealistic expectations regarding viewership and streaming numbers. While poor writing undoubtedly contributed to its demise, it’s possible that factors beyond creative merit played a role in its cancellation.
Ultimately, the issues with “My Lady Jane” extend beyond the writing itself. The fundamental flaw lies in imbuing Jane with contemporary notions of strength and intelligence, while overlooking the historical realities of Tudor-era England. Regardless of a woman’s personal attributes, societal structures severely limited her agency. The show superficially rejects the “damsel in distress” trope associated with the real Jane Grey, failing to recognize that even if she possessed the fictional Jane’s confidence, intellect, and audacity, her historical fate would likely remain unchanged. On screen, as in history, Jane’s destiny remains tragically constrained.
While “My Lady Jane” offers a fleetingly entertaining and easily digestible viewing experience, those seeking historical depth, nuanced character development, or thematic resonance may find themselves wanting. If you’re still curious to experience this historical fantasy for yourself, “My Lady Jane” is exclusively available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. However, viewers might approach with tempered expectations, recognizing the series for its surface-level entertainment rather than substantial storytelling.
