My Lady Jane: A nine-day reign?

My Lady Jane, an eight-episode series available on Prime Video, blends history, fantasy, comedy, and romance all together. The series centres on historical figure Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader), who takes up the English throne – for a historically accurate nine days – from her cousin Edward VI in order to prevent Mary from becoming queen. Though in this depiction of 16th Century England, some people can change into animals – referred to as “Ethians” – and are thus banished from society. The public is therefore divided not due to religious tensions, but rather from magical prejudice.

After meeting a mysterious figure in an inn, Jane is forced into an arranged marriage by her family, and surprise, surprise, she’s getting married to that same guy. In a classic enemies-to-lovers romance, Jane falls in love with Guildford (Edward Bluemel), but we soon discover that he is Ethian and can change into a horse. The plot spirals from here.

My Lady Jane’s narrator often interjects with quips and remarks, and there is a high emphasis on comedy in the show. Through what one Glamour article describes as a “fiercely modern script” and “truly wild plot”, this series is a strikingly modern take on history, and in my opinion, works extremely well. The script is well-written with brilliant comedic timing, and the cast ties the story together perfectly. My Lady Jane boasts an incredible cast, with Lord Dudley – Guildford’s father – played by Rob Brydon of Gavin and Stacey fame, Jordan Peters as Edward VI, Anna Chancellor as Jane’s mother Lady Frances, and Dominic Cooper as Lord Seymour.

Historically tied entertainment has become highly popular over the past decade, with SIX The Musical being released in 2017 (giving the six wives of Henry VIII centre stage), to Bridgerton being a huge success since Season one’s release in 2020 (focusing on 19th Century society). This recent focus on historically themed entertainment emphasises the theme of ‘Her-story’ over history. This revival of female historical figures brings role models to new generations, who may not have felt particularly enthralled by the history depicted in school curriculums.

The series was released in 2024, and despite its initial success, one Deadline article explains how just seven weeks after its release, My Lady Jane’s reign was cut short as “Prime Video … opted not to renew My Lady Jane for a second season”. It seemed the series hadn’t reached a large enough audience, and couldn’t compete with the abundance of other entertainment available on Prime Video.

Although, those who did discover this hidden gem (me included) are part of what another Glamour article described as My Lady Jane’s “small but mighty fanbase”. My Lady Jane’s loyal fans, to this day, are still campaigning for a second season to be made, with there even being an online petition urging fans to hold out hope, amassing over 100,000 signatures.

Looking at what a second season could have brought to viewers, the writers firstly could have developed Edward’s queer storyline. In the series Edward has a romance with Fitz, an Ethian thief with whom he escapes the palace and subsequently saves Jane from Mary’s treason trial. Though there is no clear historical evidence that Edward VI himself was queer, historical accuracy is hardly a reason to prevent an entire second season from being written. After all, Ethians have never been confirmed to be historically accurate either.

Jane and Guildford’s romance could have also been built upon in a second season. Was the dramatic escape from Jane’s potential beheading worth a sunset-lit kiss? Could it be possible in another season that Jane and Guildford fight to protect all Ethians, and overthrow Mary from the throne? This direction of the plot strays from her historical ending, but would it be too much of an ask to rewrite her story completely? Unfortunately My Lady Jane’s writers were not this bold, and it seems highly unlikely that Jane will ever return to our screens again.