My Lady Jane

Last updated

My Lady Jane
My lady jane title card.png
Genre
Created by Gemma Burgess
Based on
Showrunners
Directed by
Starring
Narrated by Oliver Chris
Music by Rael Jones
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
ProducerPaula McBreen
CinematographyMaja Zamojda
Production companies
Original release
Network Amazon Prime Video
Release27 June 2024 (2024-06-27)

My Lady Jane (titled My Queen Jane on screen for episodes four through six) is a historical fantasy romance television series made for Amazon Prime Video, starring Emily Bader as the titular character. Produced by MacDonald & Parkes, the television series is adapted by Gemma Burgess from a novel by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand that provides a fantasy reimagining of the life of Lady Jane Grey. [1]

Contents

All episodes of the series were released on June 27, 2024. In August that year, Amazon cancelled My Lady Jane after one season. [2] The cancellation inspired backlash and a petition, including from fantasy author and A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin. [3]

Synopsis

In an alternate 16th-century England, Lady Jane Grey is coerced by her mother into marrying Lord Guildford Dudley. Jane, as cousin to Edward VI, is in line to the throne. The world of My Lady Jane is inhabited by Ethians, humans who can take animal form, as well as ordinary humans, known as Verity. In England, the Verity ruling class have driven Ethians out of society; in response, Ethians have formed a group called the Pack.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Who'll Be the Next in Line?" Jamie Babbit Gemma Burgess June 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
When Jane's father Henry Grey [a] dies without a male heir, his great uncle the Duke of Leicester inherits everything. Leicester wants Jane to marry Lord Guildford Dudley. Jane and her maid Susannah attempt to flee Jane's forced marriage to Guildford, but are captured. Susannah escapes, revealing herself to be an Ethian. King Edward VI prepares his will, secretly naming Jane as his heir. Edward's dog, Petunia, reveals herself as an Ethian, sent to protect Edward by his great-grandmother. Edward learns that he is not, as he thought, suffering from an illness known as the Affliction, but instead is being slowly poisoned. At the marriage ceremony, Jane feigns illness.
2"Wild Thing"Jamie BabbitGemma BurgessJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Jane completes the marriage ceremony with Guildford. She learns that Guildford is an Ethian, but is unable to control his changes and instead is a man by night and a horse by day. He begs her to discover a cure. Edward finds a merchant selling tofana. Mary and Seymour plot to speed up Edward's death. Seymour accuses Lord Dudley of being Edward's poisoner and Dudley is sent to the Tower of London.
3"With a Girl Like You"Jamie BabbitShepard Boucher & Gemma Burgess & Meredith GlynnJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Edward disappears, and it is assumed that he threw himself from a high window in despair at his illness. Jane and Guildford travel into the woods to free Susannah after receiving an anonymous ransom note. Seymour sends soldiers to kill Jane and Guildford. Jane learns that the note was a ploy to get money for Ethians. She and Guildford escape the murder attempt. Jane is named queen. Jane's younger sister Katherine marries the Duke of Leicester. Margaret, Jane's youngest sister, suffocates him to death with a pear. Frances covers up the murder.
4"Bluebird Is Dead"Jamie BabbitCathy LewJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Jane and Guildford discover proof that Mary and Seymour colluded to murder Edward. When Jane confronts Mary, Mary attacks Jane and destroys the proof. Frances witnesses Guildford changing into a horse.
5"I'm Gonna Change the World" Stefan Schwartz Bisanne MasoudJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Lady Margaret Beaufort, Edward's great-grandmother and now a member of a religious order, nurses Edward back to health. Lord Dudley pressures Jane to name Guildford as her king. Mary agrees to make Lord Norfolk her chancellor when she is on the throne in exchange for the use of Norfolk's army. Jane disbands the Kingsland guards and invites the Ethians to attend her coronation banquet. After being threatened by Frances, Jane consummates her marriage to Guildford. Bess tries to flee with Petunia but is captured by Seymour. Margaret tells Edward that he is an Ethian, just as she is. Jane tells Guildford that his Ethianism cannot be cured.
6"I Feel Free"Stefan SchwartzAlyssa LernerJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Mary, facing arrest, has fled. Guildford runs away with an Ethian who promises him a cure. Archer, a representative of the Ethians, saves Jane from an assassination attempt. Edward, unable to switch to an Ethian form, realizes Margaret is insane when she tells him of her plan to exterminate all Verity, and escapes with the help of Fitz, an Ethian. Archer and Norfolk wager the fate of the oppressive Division Law on a bowling match; Archer wins. Guildford is attacked by his Ethian companion but escapes. Jane abolishes the Division Law. Mary, Norfolk, and Seymour take over the palace and arrest Jane.
7"Another Girl, Another Planet"Stefan SchwartzGemma Burgess & Meredith GlynnJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Jane is placed under house arrest. Guildford sneaks past the guards to rescue Jane, but she refuses to leave with him because her family is being held hostage by Mary. Jane's trial on charges of high treason begins. Bess rises to support Jane's claim that she was fulfilling the orders of the king's will. Edward sneaks into the palace and surprises Jane when she is taken to her room. Jane sends him away to raise an army so he can fight Mary. Although the council finds Jane innocent on the charges, Jane's guards captured Guildford after their meeting. Mary and Seymour bring in the groom Rupert, who has been tortured to reveal that Guildford is Ethian, and then Guildford (in horse form) himself. Jane and Guildford are condemned to death for violating the reinstated Division Law.
8"God Save the Queen"Jamie BabbitGemma Burgess & Meredith GlynnJune 27, 2024 (2024-06-27)
Jane is taken to the Tower of London. Mary kills Norfolk when he criticizes her tyrannical behavior. Edward and Fitz beg the Ethians to help fight against Mary. At Jane and Guildford's execution, flying Ethians attack Jane's executioner and guards. Jane, freed by Susannah, rushes through the crowd to untie Guildford from the stake before fire reaches him, but is unable to undo the knots. Guildford is finally able to control his change. Lord Dudley and Stan clear a path for Jane to ride free on Guildford's back. In an epilogue, Bess is shown to secretly be an Ethian. Frances and Katherine remain Mary's hostages. Stan and Frances resume their relationship. Katherine clandestinely marries Lord Seymour's son William. Fitz and Edward kiss. Jane and Guildford agree to take back the throne.

Production

Development

The series is based on the historical young adult novels by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand and Jodi Meadows. Production company Parkes & MacDonald produced the series with Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn as co-showrunner and executive producers, and Jamie Babbit directing the pilot and executive producer, whilst Sarah Bradshaw and Laurie MacDonald are executive producers. [4] Eight episodes were ordered for season one of the series. [5]

In mid-August of 2024, it was reported that the series had been canceled. [6]

Casting

In November 2022, Anna Chancellor, Rob Brydon, Dominic Cooper and Jim Broadbent were announced to have supporting roles as aristocrats. [7]

Filming

Principal photography took place in the UK in 2022 ahead of a projected late 2023 release. [8] In November 2022, filming was reported at Great Chalfield Manor, standing in for the Greys' residence Bradgate House, [9] and Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, standing in for Hampton Court Palace. [10] Production designer Will Hughes-Jones initially intended to use the real Hampton Court, but found its architecture had evolved too much since the 16th-century, whereas Herstmonceux "looks more like Hampton Court did back then than it does now". Still, the grounds of Hampton Court were used in the series for outdoor scenes. Hughes-Jones selected Broughton Castle for the Dudleys' residence. [11] Other filming locations included Dover Castle, Dorney Court, Hatfield House, Ashridge, Chiltern Open Air Museum, Langley Park, St Bartholomew-the-Great, St Etheldreda's Hatfield, and Crossways Farm. [12]

Release

The series had its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival on 12 June 2024, and was streamed on Amazon Prime Video on 27 June 2024.

Music

The soundtrack features classic British rock covers performed by current British women rock musicians. [13] [14]

My Lady Jane (Prime Video Original Series Score)
Soundtrack album by
Released27 June 2024 (2024-06-27)
Length1 hour 4 minutes
Label Milan Records
My Lady Jane (Prime Video Original Series Score) track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Jane's Escape"1:33
2."My Lady Jane"2:33
3."Quite Contrary"2:17
4."Never Say Die"2:19
5."Gurdy Two Shoes"2:04
6."Prettier When You Smile"1:45
7."The Tavern Heist"2:04
8."New Life"1:11
9."King Edward"1:14
10."Lust at First Sight"0:35
11."Jane in Court"2:29
12."Your Majesty"1:31
13."Manacled"4:12
14."Tofana"2:30
15."Lyre Lyre Pants on Fire"2:05
16."Two Legs or Four"1:18
17."Guildford"2:04
18."Execution"1:32
19."Another Heart Whispers Back"4:30
20."Transformation"3:00
21."Follow that Barge"2:07
22."Micromanaging"1:47
23."Lambkins"3:21
24."Target Practice"2:41
25."Unshackled"2:35
26."Will for Succession"5:03
27."Change This Country"3:02
28."Swashbuckling"4:48
29."Showtrial"3:08
30."Previously on My Lady Jane"1:25
31."Jane's Escape - Reprise"1:30
Total length:1 hour 4 minutes
My Lady Jane (Prime Video Original Series Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
Released27 June 2024 (2024-06-27)
Length27 minutes
Label Milan Records
My Lady Jane (Prime Video Original Series Soundtrack) track listing
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Tainted Love"Goat Girl2:55
2."Wild Thing" Black Honey 2:28
3."I'm a Man" Lizzie Esau 2:17
4."She's Not There" Griff 2:00
5."The Chain" CHINCHILLA 3:45
6."Dreamer"Katy J Pearson3:54
7."Sail Away" HotWax 3:44
8."Ever Fallen in Love" Yonaka 3:00
9."I Feel Free (Amazon Music Original)"Poppy Ajudha3:03
Total length:27 minutes

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 94% "Certified Fresh" score, based on 36 reviews with an average rating of 7.0/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "A romp-antasy for revisionary souls, My Lady Jane has her cake and slays it too." [15] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 71 out 100 based on reviews from 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [16]

Explanatory notes

  1. Historically, Jane's father was executed after Jane.

Related Research Articles

<i>Elizabeth R</i> TV miniseries

Elizabeth R is a BBC television drama serial of six 90-minute plays starring Glenda Jackson as Queen Elizabeth I of England. It was first broadcast on BBC2 from February to March 1971, through the ABC in Australia and broadcast in the United States on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre. The series has been repeated several times, most recently from 15 March 2023, by BBC Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Katherine Grey</span> English noblewoman

Katherine Seymour, Countess of Hertford was a younger sister of Lady Jane Grey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lord Guildford Dudley</span> Consort of Lady Jane Grey in 1553

Lord Guildford Dudley was an English nobleman who was married to Lady Jane Grey. She occupied the English throne from 10 July until 19 July 1553, having been declared the heir of King Edward VI. Guildford Dudley had a humanist education and married Jane in a magnificent celebration about six weeks before the King's death. After Guildford's father, the Duke of Northumberland, had engineered Jane's accession, Jane and Guildford spent her brief rule residing in the Tower of London. They were still in the Tower when their regime collapsed and remained there in different quarters as prisoners. They were condemned to death for high treason in November 1553. Queen Mary I was inclined to spare their lives, but Thomas Wyatt's rebellion against Mary's plans to marry Philip of Spain led to the young couple's execution, a measure that was widely seen as unduly harsh.

<i>Lady Jane</i> (1986 film) 1986 British film

Lady Jane is a 1986 British costume-historical drama romance film, directed by Trevor Nunn, written by David Edgar, and starring Helena Bonham Carter as the title character. It tells the story of Lady Jane Grey, her marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley, and her reign as the "Nine Days' Queen" following the death of Edward VI of England.

John Dudley, 2nd Earl of Warwick, KB was an English nobleman and the heir of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, leading minister and regent under King Edward VI from 1550–1553. As his father's career progressed, John Dudley respectively assumed his father's former titles, Viscount Lisle and Earl of Warwick. Interested in the arts and sciences, he was the dedicatee of several books by eminent scholars, both during his lifetime and posthumously. His marriage to the former Protector Somerset's eldest daughter, in the presence of the King and a magnificent setting, was a gesture of reconciliation between the young couple's fathers. However, their struggle for power flared up again and ended with the Duke of Somerset's execution. In July 1553, after King Edward's death, Dudley was one of the signatories of the letters patent that attempted to set Lady Jane Grey on the throne of England, and took arms against Mary Tudor alongside his father. The short campaign did not see any military engagements, and ended with the Duke of Northumberland and his son being taken prisoner at Cambridge. John Dudley the younger was condemned to death, but subsequently reprieved. He died of natural causes shortly after his release from the Tower of London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke</span> English noble (1538–1601)

Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, KG, KB was an English peer and politician. He was the nephew of Catherine Parr and brother-in-law of Lady Jane Grey through his first wife.

John Sutton, 3rd Baron Dudley, commonly known as Lord Quondam, was an English nobleman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk</span> English nobleman

Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk, 3rd Marquess of Dorset, was an English courtier and nobleman of the Tudor period. He was the father of Lady Jane Grey, known as "the Nine Days' Queen".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herstmonceux Castle</span> Medieval fortified house in Herstmonceux

Herstmonceux Castle is a brick-built castle, dating from the 15th century, near Herstmonceux, East Sussex, England. It is one of the oldest significant brick buildings still standing in England. The castle was renowned for being one of the first buildings to use that material in England, and was built using bricks taken from the local clay, by builders from Flanders. It dates from 1441. Construction began under the then-owner, Sir Roger Fiennes, and was continued after his death in 1449 by his son, Lord Dacre. The castle has been owned by Queen's University at Kingston, a Canadian university, since 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk</span> English noblewoman

Frances Grey, Duchess of Suffolk, was an English noblewoman. She was the second child and eldest daughter of King Henry VIII's younger sister, Princess Mary, and Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. She was the mother of Lady Jane Grey, de facto Queen of England and Ireland for nine days, as well as Lady Katherine Grey and Lady Mary Grey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Jane Grey</span> Claimant to the English throne in 1553

Lady Jane Grey, also known as Lady Jane Dudley after her marriage and as the "Nine Days' Queen", was an English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 to 19 July 1553.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural depictions of Lady Jane Grey</span>

Lady Jane Grey, 16th-century claimant to the English throne, has left an abiding impression in English literature and romance. The limited amount of material from which to construct a source-based biography of her has not stopped authors of all ages filling the gaps with the fruits of their imagination.

Jane Dudley, Duchess of Northumberland was an English courtier. She was the wife of John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland, and mother of Guildford Dudley and Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. Having grown up with her future husband, who was her father's ward, she married at about age 16. They had 13 children.

Gemma Burgess is a novelist, screenwriter, and showrunner. She was one of the inaugural new adult authors picked up by St. Martin's Press. Her novels include Brooklyn Girls. More recently, she created the historical fantasy romance television series My Lady Jane (2024) for Amazon Prime that reimagines the life of Lady Jane Grey.

Henry Dudley was an English soldier and an elder brother of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Their father was John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who led the English government from 1550 to 1553 under Edward VI and unsuccessfully tried to establish Lady Jane Grey on the English throne after the King's death in July 1553. For his participation in this venture Henry Dudley was imprisoned in the Tower of London and condemned to death, but pardoned.

Edward Robert Bluemel is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in the Sky One series A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022), the BBC thriller Killing Eve (2019–2022), and the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane (2024).

Becoming Elizabeth is a historical drama television series, created by Anya Reiss, that follows the younger years of Queen Elizabeth I, who lived in the 16th century. It premiered on Starz on 12 June 2022 and Channel 4 on 15 June. In October 2022, the series was cancelled.

Emily Bader is an American actress. On television, she is known for her role in the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane (2024). Her films include Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021) and Fresh Kills (2023).

Henry Ashton is an English actor. On television, he is known for his roles in the Amazon Prime fantasy series My Lady Jane and the BBC Three teen drama A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Jordan Peters is a British actor. His films include Pirates (2021). On television, he is known for his roles in the BBC One series Everything I Know About Love (2022) and the Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane (2024).

References

  1. Leake, Natasha (4 January 2023). "Fans of Bridgerton rejoice: opulent star-studded series chronicling the life of Lady Jane Grey is coming to screens". Tatler .
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (16 August 2024). "'My Lady Jane' Canceled By Prime Video After One Season". Deadline .
  3. "'My Lady Jane' Cancellation: Edward Bluemel is 'Really Happy' After George R.R. Martin Shares Fan Petition to Save 'Clever' Show".
  4. Wiseman, Andreas (2 August 2022). "Amazon Greenlights My Lady Jane About Brit Monarch Jane Grey; Sets Emily Bader, Edward Bluemel & Jordan Peters To Lead Cast On Parkes+MacDonald Series". Deadline.
  5. Massoto, Erick (3 November 2022). "Dominic Cooper Joins Emily Bader in Comedic Historical Reimagining My Lady Jane". Collider.
  6. Porter, Rick (16 August 2024). "'My Lady Jane' Canceled After Single Season at Amazon". The Hollywood Reporter .
  7. "Rob Brydon joins Amazon Prime's My Lady Jane". Chortle. 3 November 2022.
  8. Singh, Anita (27 December 2022). "Amazon rewrites Lady Jane Grey story as feminist comedy because she 'deserves a different ending'". The Telegraph.
  9. Currie, Hannah (3 November 2022). "Amazon Prime series My Lady Jane rumoured to have been filming at Great Chalfield Manor". Wiltshire Live.
  10. Graves, Kieran (17 November 2022). "Filming for Amazon Prime 'supernatural period' drama series confirmed after crews descend on Dover". Kent Live.
  11. Wheeler, Tilly (28 June 2024). "Where was My Lady Jane filmed? A deep dive into the locations and set design". House & Garden. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  12. Thapa, Shaurya (3 July 2024). "Where was My Lady Jane filmed? Inside the filming locations and stately homes behind the drama". Time Out. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  13. Aubrey, Elizabeth (27 June 2024). "Here's every song in 'My Lady Jane' on Amazon Prime Video". NME. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  14. Mondor, Kat (28 June 2024). "My Lady Jane Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play". ScreenRant. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  15. "My Lady Jane: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  16. "My Lady Jane - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved 26 August 2024.