My Lady Jane
or, a booktok coded fantasy-historical-romance show that is giving me all sorts of feelings in the context of our current political climate
I’m really angry. And really scared. And I’ve always loved Fourth of July, but this year it’s different. It might be our last? Or something? I’m so over all of this Project 2025 Bullshit (especially the bit about criminalizing Romance novels? Although to be fair the only mention of it is a tweet I can’t prove the origin of, so there’s that). So in honor of King George from Hamilton REALLY Getting the last laugh here, I’m going to regale you about newest fave show – My Lady Jane on Amazon Prime. Also known as George’s like Great-great-great-great Aunt or something like that.
This show has everything! Hot leads! Intrigue! Magic! A killer soundtrack! Female Writing Staff! And some real historical background! Seriously I’m obsessed with this show. It’s Ella Enchanted meets The Tudors meets She’s the Man – a perfect recipe for those of you on #booktok. Not that I’m ever one of those people who will ever say period films are stuffy, but I do love this recent crop that are edgier and modern – the language is fun (A random courtier after spouting poetry says “Wyatt’s a fave”). The show opens with a Tegan and Sara cover of David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel and A Kate Bush cover of All Day and All of The Night.
Quick Historical context for you. Lady Jane Grey was crowned queen of England at age sixteen for nine days, after her Cousin Edward died (Henry VIII ‘s long desired son from his Third Marriage to Jane Seymour. On that note, also go see Six on Broadway if you fancy. The Tudors are RIPE for content apparently, LOL). It was a bunch of political scheming and nonsense, and was eventually executed, leading way for Mary I aka Bloody Mary who led to Elizabeth I.
Anyways, this show adds in a whole magic element (some people in the kingdom are Ethians – people who can shapeshift into animals at will, but they are feared by the Normies aka Verities – and therefore ostracized in society. A really stunning parallel for the actual religious turmoil of the time), Jane is booksmart, just wants to spend her days writing her dictionary of herbs and become a healer, and she’s is forced to marry Guildford Dudley, a rake of the highest order who spends his nights drinking and swanning about Taverns. Gah, it’s such a perfect setup, my god it’s fucking catnip for me, tbh. He’s a sizzling , brooding Byronic Mr. Darcy-esque hero with a big secret. Three guesses what it is, giving the whole sociopolitical climate.
Anyways, shorter post than normal but please please please go watch this show it’s so much bloody fun.
XOXO,
Casey