If you’re not watching My Lady Jane, you are seriously missing out. Read on to find out why you need this fun bit of revisionist history in your life.
10. Rewrites History in a Cool Way
My Lady Jane is following in the footsteps of The Great by rewriting the history in which the story is based. If you want a real historical account, open up a text book. If you want fun historical fantasy, check out this show.
9. Bloody Mary is an Unhinged Villain We Love to Hate
Mary, played by the talented Kate O’Flynn, is absolutely abhorrent in this show. She’s cruel, conniving, murderous, tyrannical, and refuses to bathe. My Lady Jane has created a character who is just so much fun to hate. She is so awful you can’t help but be excited for her comeuppance.
8. LGBTQIA Representation
King Edward is revealed to be gay in a hilariously wholesome scene. It’s always nice to see LGBTQIA representation in historical shows. It helps to drive home the fact that queer people have always and will always exist.
7. Ethians vs. Humans
Rather than portraying the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, the show presents a different, more fantastical conflict. Instead of broaching the topic of religion, the show creates a new race of being called Ethians. Ethians look like normal humans but they can shape-shift into animals. The humans in the kingdom have been at war with them for years and Mary absolutely hates them. But then, Mary hates everything except her boy toy Lord Seymour.
6. The Show is Pretty Steamy
There are quite a few romantic subplots in the show. It’s sweet to watch Jane genuinely fall in love with the man she was forced to marry, but it’s also fun to watch because the actors have great romantic chemistry. The spicier scenes are played up for laughs, but some will legitimately pull at your heartstrings.
5. An Actress From ‘The Goes Wrong Show’ Plays a Part
There’s a special treat in the show for fans of the hilarious British comedy series The Goes Wrong Show. One of the actresses from the show, Bryony Corrigan, plays a maid in My Lady Jane. It’s always fun to see talented actors you recognize on other shows. After you watch My Lady Jane, you should definitely check out The Goes Wrong Show.
4. The Soundtrack is Magnificent
The music adds a modern twist on this Elizabethan tale. The show features a cover of the Soft Cell classic “Tainted Love” by Goat Girl. It also features a cover of The Zombies song “She’s Not There” by Griff. Lovers of Fleetwood Mac will be happy to hear a cover of “The Chain” by Chinchilla. Just as the show is a new spin on an old story, the soundtrack brings a modern edge to these classic songs.
3. The Acting is Brilliant
The plot is fun. The writing is great. And the set and costume design are breathtaking. But the performances are what really shines through. Every actor plays their part perfectly. Emily Bader is tough yet likable as the titular character. Anna Chancellor plays her scheming mother perfectly. And Kate O’Flynn is hilarious yet terrifying as Mary.
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2. Grants Autonomy to Jane Grey
Queen Jane Grey really got one of the rawest deals in history. She was a young teenager who did not want to be Queen but was forced to be after her cousin, King Edward died. And then nine days later she was beheaded for treason. She was a young girl who was used as a pawn and was executed for it. This show gives Jane Grey a chance to live. A chance that the British Monarchy would not give her.
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1. The Narrator is Perfect!
I cannot stress how much I adore the narrator who tells the story throughout the show. Oliver Chris loves to throw in curse words and winks to the audience while guiding the story along. He really is the heart of the show.
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