‘My Lady Jane’ Review – A Gleeful, Steamy, And Delightful Alternative Take On History

Our history lessons have been ruled by white male Tudors who didn’t do anything besides ruling with an iron fist, having affairs and ignoring their ‘wives’ completely.  If there’s a mention of a woman, it’s mainly that she’s ‘just the wife of…’. But lately, we’ve been discovering who those women were in different forms of entertainment such as Spencer, Mary Queen of Scots, and SIX: The Musical. Now, we can add another brilliant form of escapism to that list as My Lady Jane has hit Prime Video. You might know Lady Jane Grey as the great-granddaughter of Henry VII, cousin of Elizabeth I and Mary I, and Edward VI’s successor. Still, in this loose retelling by series creator Gemma Burgess (Mavericks), you will discover what a courageous, clever, and headstrong woman she was.

Some events are re-written, and Lady Jane‘s life has been dramatized (the creators even added magical creatures and shapeshifting people) for this series. Still, those tweaks result in an entertaining, dynamic, and upbeat series, which suffers from incoherent pacing during times. The fabulous technical department, such as the cinematographers, CGI artists, VFX artists, art directors, and SFX specialists, draws you instantly into the romanticized version of 16th England. They even elevate their truly magnificent performances mid-series when they put the audience in the POV of different bowling balls during a high-stakes indoor competition. It sounds like a farfetched idea, but the result is a fast-paced head-spinning scene.

But how did it come this far that an ordinary game of bowling will decide over the faith of humans and magical creatures? Well, let us quickly take you back to the beginning, when it becomes incredibly clear what a riot this series will be. During our interview with the cast, they all mentioned that they had a blast filming the show and that enjoyment spats off Emily Bader (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, Fresh Kills), who’s impeccably leading this series, when you meet her Jane for the first time. Her screen presence goes through the roof, and she even becomes much more captivated when Jane starts to fight for her country and life further on in the series.

Bader gets immense competition for the ‘best female performance’ from Kate O’Flynn (Death in Paradise, The Good Life) when O’Flynn’s Mary is out for revenge. O’Flynn’s show-stealing performance is probably the most multilayered in this series. How she conveys Mary’s determination, frustration, madness, and anger will make you laugh out loud.

Before she goes head to head with Mary, Jane’s leading quite a humble life with her servant Susannah (Máiréad Tyers), sisters Katherine (Isabella Brownson) and Margaret (Robyn Betteridge), and her mother Lady Frances (Anna Chancellor). The latter wants money, fame, and to marry off one of her daughters. That wish comes through when she forces Jane to get married to Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel) and to become queen. Yes, Jane might have been saved from the beheading, but getting married to a man with a notorious and flirtatious reputation doesn’t sound great either, even more so when she discovers that her new husband has a dark secret. Whatever that secret is, is something we won’t spoil, but if you really want to know it, check out our interview with Bader and Bluemel, in which Bluemel reveals more about his character.

Speaking of Bluemel (The Halcyon, The Commuter), he clearly has the time of his life in this series while delivering remarkable acting. At first, his character isn’t thrilled about his sudden wedding as he wants to live the bachelor lifestyle instead. Those feelings result in Bluemel’s flirtatious, sharp, and quick-witted performance. However, once Lord Guildford Dudley’s family and Jane are in danger and when his enemies come much closer, his acting becomes much more powerful and enthralling. Bluemel’s chemistry with Bader is tangible right from the first meet-cute, and together with the snarky comments of the narrator and the modern songs (which unexpectedly work incredibly well in a period drama), their chemistry is a crucial component of this series.

Like the actors we already discussed, the other supporting cast members are also top-notch. Dominic Cooper (Preacher, The Devil’s Double) darkly shines as the conniving but spineless Lord Seymour, while Rob Brydon (Barbie, Gavin & Stacey) delivers an over-the-top drama performance as Lord Dudley. It doesn’t matter whether you love or hate Jane’s mother, Chancellor’s (Pennyworth, That Dirty Black Bag) cheerful yet sinister acting will be loved by many. It’s just a shame that many of them only get a little to work with throughout the series, as the main focus is on Bluemel and Bader.

If you’re looking for a gleeful, steamy, and delightful series involving an alternative take on history, supernatural beings, and excellent work in front of and behind the camera, you’ve now found it in My Lady Jane.

All eight episodes of My Lady Jane are available on Prime Video