‘My Lady Jane’ Prime Video Series Review - Game of Thrones

After watching My Lady Jane, I started reading the real Lady Jane Grey's Wikipedia page and realized that the show has tweaked her story to fit it into the world of fantasy and humor. I am not sure why I was surprised by this realization, considering that a voiceover at the beginning of My Lady Jane announces that this story serves as a big fuck you to the history of the Nine Days Queen because it isn't satisfied with it. My Lady Jane wants to rewrite Jane's fate to reaffirm that sweet message: Love conquers all. I laughed after seeing the list of things the press notes don't want critics to spoil because the show reveals quite a lot of things after the end of the first episode through a sneak peek video. This doesn't mean that My Lady Jane loses every chance to surprise us. It has its share of secrets, though I think the series could have felt better without including that "this is what will happen in Season 1" trailer. And the problem with the remaining secrets is that they aren't very intriguing or exciting in any manner. You will easily predict most of them. The real shocks come early when characters suddenly transform into animals. These characters are referred to as Ethians. You will find yourself pleasantly taken aback by a few of the transformations. Cherish it while it lasts because this element, too, starts to feel stale later.

Emily Bader steps into the shoes of Lady Jane, and her performance comes across as nothing more than competent. She, like a studious student, seems to be following all the commands given to her by the directors (Jamie Babbit and Stefan Schwartz). You sense that Bader is simply checking the boxes instead of getting into the skin of her character. The same holds true for Edward Bluemel, who, as Guildford, does his task like a professional 9-to-5 office worker. Jane and Guildford are meant to have a sexy, sizzling chemistry, but their romance is devoid of an erotic spark. Their kiss or near kiss fails to raise the room temperature, so their sex scene also doesn't explode with a carnal fervor. The only reason My Lady Jane is able to give you to root for these characters is that they are innocent. Thankfully, other characters (and actors) pull you into the show. As Lady Frances Grey, Anna Chancellor exudes such an intense sexual spark that you believe she is someone who can wrap men around her fingers by flirting with them and lowering their defenses. Robyn Betteridge and Isabella Brownson have a lovely, gentle presence, and Henry Ashton brings energy to his caricature-like manners. Dominic Cooper, as Lord Seymour, is the epitome of the handsome devil whose good looks sugar-coat his evil shenanigans.

My Lady Jane belongs to Kate O'Flynn, however. Her Princess Mary is a cartoon villain who has not lost her menace. Her portrayal of a tyrant as a devilish joker should be included in the list of most memorable performances of the year. Mary's cartoonish gestures make you chuckle, but they don't completely hide her terrifying nature. Thanks to her, My Lady Jane achieves a remarkable tonal balance between drama and humor. Yet, despite all the twists and the amusing tone of the voiceover, My Lady Jane comes across as pretty straightforward. The jokes aren't insane enough. You don't experience a comic delirium. My Lady Jane wants to be wild and clever. However, the audience, due to the show's length, ends up feeling more exhausted and less exhilarated. This does not mean you should entirely skip this show. It has more hits than misses. My Lady Jane is enjoyable as it is, but in the end, you feel it could have been better. This is Game of Thrones for people who don't like "heavy, serious stuff."

Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All eight episodes are screened for this review.
Premiere Date: June 27, 2024, on Prime Video