A Review of Brilliant My Lady Jane: Episode One

The Amazon Prime original My Lady Jane is a reimagining of a crucial time in 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey’s life–and in England’s history. 

Based on the book of the same name by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, the show is a historical fantasy comedy detailing Jane Grey’s forced marriage to Guildford Dudley, the dangerous games for the throne, and the half-human/half-animal beings called Ethians’ fight against the oppressive crown. 

The first episode introduces Jane as a skilled herbalist and cousin to the chronically ill, but sweet King Edward VI. When her overbearing mother Frances Grey tells her she’ll be married in 3 days, she does whatever she can to prevent it. 

My Lady Jane is in Good Company

The hilarious Prime Original is produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, who also produced the hilarious and action-packed Men in Black Franchise. Their other movies include Catch Me If You Can starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Minority Report starring Tom Cruise, and other science fiction projects, making My Lady Jane an addition to their roster with its fantasy flair. 

The Cast is Brilliant 

https://gty.im/2159124265

It’s clear from the first episode that every actor in My Lady Jane is perfect for their role. They all become their characters. Emily Bader, who plays Lady Jane, is convincing and passionate as she defies her mother and makes sarcastic quips. You can’t help but admire her fiery nature and strong opinions. Emily Bader turns the historical figure into a feminist icon. 

Edward Bluemel portrays Jane’s husband Lord Guildford Dudley, and it’s doubtful if anyone else could have such fantastic chemistry with Emily Bader, which we see during their first meeting in a tavern Dudley frequents. Bluemel brings the perfect combination of cockiness, drama, and stubbornness to the role of Dudley. His smirks are perfectly timed along with his jokes.

He makes you fall in love with Guildford Dudley and even makes you hope the real man was just as charming and funny. The rest of the cast complement each other beautifully because of their equal commitment to being silly and raunchy without making viewers feel like they’re out of place in a medieval show. 

The Best Part of Episode One? The Writing

https://gty.im/2159124288

“There comes a point in everyone’s life when you realize you simply cannot put up with your mother’s BS for another moment.”

“Where’d you learn your Latin? In a ditch?” 

These are just two of the laugh-out-loud quotes from the first episode. My Lady Jane is inappropriate, wild, and consistently entertaining and funny. The writing makes fun of itself, which makes it even better. The narrator provides hilarious commentary and historical information such as this statement about Henry VIII: “Treated his wives like Kleenex: one blow and you’re out.”

The best example is when Jane is saved by her mother from being drowned for being a suspected Ethian and Frances Grey says this about their gout-plagued uncle who controls the family’s finances: “If you don’t marry Guilford Dudley tomorrow, I’ll marry your sister Katherine to the Duke of Leicester…toe and all.” 

Men morph into bears, Jane fakes a deadly illness at the altar, and her best friend/maid is revealed to be an Ethian girl who transforms into a hawk. It’s truly an adventure and there’s not a single dull moment to be had. If the 7 remaining episodes are as amazing as the first, My Lady Jane will be a show that cannot be missed. 

For More Great Content

Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily-detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content Total Apex Sports. Check us out on X @TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Gaming, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Fantasy Sports

More Great Reads

Scroll to Top