ODETTE PARFITT shares her review on My Lady Jane (2024) on Prime Video which reimagines the tragic tale of Lady Jane Grey with a whimsical, empowering twist, offering a lively mix of romance, strong female leads, and quirky subplots.
Platform: Prime Video
Basic plot:
Lady Jane Grey is known as England’s “nine-day queen” – but what if her story was a bit more cheerful and in her control?
How it was probably pitched to the producers:
This show will do for Bridgerton what Pride and Prejudice and Zombies did for Jane Austen.
Thoughts:
OK. So some context is necessary upfront. Lady Jane Grey was a noblewoman in the 1500s who, through the puppetry of older men in her life, was placed on the throne of England. Nine days later, she was unceremoniously unseated and arrested, and a year later she was executed on charges of treason, at the age of 17.
However, as the narrator makes quite clear in the first few minutes of the pilot, this show is not sticking to the facts of history. Enter Jane, a fiercely independent woman who proclaims she prefers academic pursuits to romance. She is surrounded by a bevy of strong female characters, including her saucy scheming mother, her strong-willed little sister, and a wildly unlikeable princess who amuses as much as she annoys.
The show follows Jane’s journey to the throne, navigating arranged marriage, newfound lust, the pressures and limitations that society placed on women in this era, and the bizarre but enjoyable subplots of Ethianism – the term for people who inexplicably have the ability to shapeshift into an animal.
There are many adventures along the way, and not just for Jane, but I can’t give any more away than I already have.
Bottom line – is it worth the stream?
It’s just honestly good fun. Yes, you should watch it. Just be wary of impressionable viewers nearby, as there is a bit of swearing and dirty humour to contend with.
Watch this if you like:
- Shapeshifters
- Saucy side characters with excellent one-liners
- Enemies to lovers storylines
- Conspiracy theories
- Any period pieces about royalty – but especially ones with a modern spin
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