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- A Show Based on True Events
- My Lady Jane Has a Strong Female Protagonist
- An Exciting Combination of the Factual and Mythical
As a lover of historical dramas and romantic tales, I’ve binge-watched my fair share of shows set in the Regency Era. But My Lady Jane stands out from the crowd with its unique blend of fact and fiction. Having grown up hearing stories of Tudor England’s tumultuous political landscape, I was intrigued to see how this series would weave the fantastical elements of Ethians and Verities into the divide that once plagued the country.
In 2020, the debut of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” sparked a surge in interest for captivating historical romance series filled with drama, steamy scenes, and clever wit. This popular show, which follows the romantic escapades of the Bridgerton family and the scathing gossip penned by Lady Whistledown, became a sensation due to its intriguing characters, suspenseful plots, and authentic portrayal of Regency Era London. As of now, three seasons have been released, with the latest dropping in May and June 2024, and one side story focusing on Queen Charlotte.
After the huge success of “Bridgerton” on Netflix and the obvious demand for more captivating historical romance series, it was just a matter of time before another show emerged to follow in its footsteps. On June 27, 2024, Prime Video introduced their new offering, titled “My Lady Jane.” Similar to “Bridgerton,” this series quickly gained popularity and received impressive reviews, earning a commendable 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While both shows share some similarities, they also have notable differences. “Bridgerton” is known for its light, humorous, and airy tone, while “My Lady Jane” has a darker, grittier feel. The Amazon series is also more action-packed than Netflix’s show. However, despite their differences, “My Lady Jane” makes an excellent choice for viewers looking for something new to binge on after finishing “Bridgerton.”
Contains spoilers for
My Lady Jane
Season 1
A Show Based on True Events
Bridgerton and My Lady Jane share the fact that they are based on novels, with Bridgerton authored by Julia Quinn and My Lady Jane a collaboration between Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows. The key difference is that Bridgerton is entirely fictional, while My Lady Jane is rooted in real history. Although the narrative has been altered, creating more of a reinterpretation than a straightforward retelling, the central characters in My Lady Jane were historically significant figures.
The Prime Video series tells the story of Lady Jane Grey, who became queen of England in 1553 for just nine days. She is known as the “Nine-Day Queen” due to her brief reign. Historical facts portrayed in “My Lady Jane” include Lady Jane’s reputation as a well-educated, intelligent woman fluent in multiple languages. Her ascension to the throne deviated from the typical line of succession, and she married Lord Guildford Dudley.
Lady Grey’s assumption to the English throne brought about animosity towards her from Mary Tudor, Edward’s sister, who held the belief that she was the legitimate ruler of the country based on law and public opinion. A major point of contention between them was their contrasting religious beliefs, with England divided between Catholicism and Protestantism.
In “My Lady Jane,” the creators take artistic liberties with the true story of Lady Jane Grey. Instead of portraying the historical religious strife in England, they introduce fantastical elements. Additionally, unlike the actual outcome, the series concludes its first season with Lady Jane and Lord Guildford escaping execution, providing a more optimistic ending for their characters. However, a potential future season may still explore the tragic reality of their lives as recorded in history.
My Lady Jane Has a Strong Female Protagonist
In the series “My Lady Jane,” the main character, Lady Jane Grey, portrayed by Emily Bader, defies expectations and challenges conventions right from the start. Unlike Bridgerton’s portrayal of strong-willed women, Lady Jane’s boldness is more overt and unapologetic. The audience gets a clear message in the early moments of the first episode that Lady Jane Grey is a formidable figure to reckon with.
Lady Jane, known for her firm convictions and unwavering spirit, governs as Queen with determination. Despite facing challenges, particularly concerning the Ethians and Division Laws, she persists in upholding her beliefs. Unyielding to societal pressures, she remains committed to bringing England together, fostering peace, and ensuring fairness for every citizen.
Despite going against the norms and defying expectations, Jane’s strong-willed nature doesn’t overshadow her loving side. In the show, this is evident as we see her deep affection for her family, even when dealing with a domineering mother and siblings who fail to grasp her perspective. When faced with the choice between marrying a man she doesn’t care for or letting her family face financial ruin, Jane bravely chooses the former, despite going against her values.
I’m a huge fan of Jane’s compelling character, but what really captivated me is how her strength is contrasted with her growing affection for Guildford. Although Jane exudes self-assurance and independence, with a plan in hand for every calamity that comes her way, her feelings towards Guildford reveal a tender side of the protagonist. This love story between them is truly heartwarming, as they initially clash due to their strong-willed natures. Their unyielding personalities soften when they’re together, creating an indomitable duo that shines brightest in unity.
An Exciting Combination of the Factual and Mythical
Bridgerton mostly adheres to historical accuracy in portraying Regency Era England, yet it occasionally takes creative liberties. To put it another way, while the fundamental events in My Lady Jane are based on Tudor England’s factual societal divisions, the Prime Video series introduces a fantastical element by replacing the religious conflict with one between Ethians (humans who can transform into animals) and Verities (humans unable to shapeshift, considered ‘pure’).
The combination of the factual and the mythical gives My Lady Jane a fairytale-like quality, and is vital in setting the tone of the series. Most of the action, drama, tension and politics in the series arise from the division between the Ethians and Verities, with most of the Verities believing that the Ethians need to be wiped out. The excitement and sense of escapism that My Lady Jane provides also stems from this blend of fantastical elements into a real-life narrative that many viewers may already be familiar with. The fact that many of the characters within the English court itself turn out to be hidden Ethians, including Mary’s sister Elizabeth and Guildford Dudley himself, add an extra layer of thrill into the narrative, reeling audiences into eagerly anticipating what a subsequent episode of the series may bring.
In the realm of popular demand for historical romance series, “My Lady Jane” stands out with its creative retelling of history, bold female protagonist, and enchanting blend of fact and fantasy. This Prime Video production excellently fills the gap left by Bridgerton’s latest season, following a similar path yet offering a distinctive touch that sets it apart. With eight episodes, each under an hour long, “My Lady Jane” is a perfect choice for viewers looking for a brief yet captivating series post-Bridgerton.
My Lady Jane
is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-07-24 00:01