The tragic fate of Lady Jane Grey is well known in history—but not in My Lady Jane, the new Prime Video series that flips the script. Based on the YA novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, this eight-episode live-action drama gives Jane a second chance—and a very different destiny.
The path to screen wasn’t always assured. The book, released in 2016, was optioned for film and television before it was even published, but early plans never materialized. The authors—known collectively as the Lady Janies—had given up on an adaptation, until a chance subway sighting changed everything.
“Gemma Burgess was riding the New York City subway and noticed a girl reading My Lady Jane and laughing,” the Lady Janies shared in an email interview with PW. “She bought the book, loved it, and reached out.” That moment led to Burgess teaming up with producers Parkes and MacDonald to acquire the rights. In 2022, Amazon officially greenlit the show, and the Janies were thrilled. “It was so clear that Gemma understood the heart of our story.”
The series features Emily Bader (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin) as Jane, Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve) as Lord Guildford Dudley, and Jordan Peters (Blue Story) as King Edward VI. Burgess co-showruns the series with Meredith Glynn (The Boys), aiming to bring both history and fantasy to life with a modern twist.
“For me, working on this show was a dream,” Bader said. “It’s not just a period piece—it’s fun, bold, and so different from anything else.” The show reimagines Jane’s story: initially resistant to an arranged marriage, she eventually falls in love with her betrothed. Unlike the real Lady Jane Grey—who ruled England for nine days before her execution—this version of Jane is fierce, clever, and determined to rewrite her fate.
“We wanted to give this tragic historical figure the chance to be the heroine of her own story,” Bader explained. “Jane is smart, strong, and bold—she fights to shape her future in a world that expects her to remain silent.”
Though inspired by historical events, the show takes liberties, leaning more into fantasy and romance than strict historical retelling. “Our goal was to reimagine Jane’s world in a way that felt fresh and relevant,” said Glynn. “She’s navigating adulthood, love, and power—things young women today still relate to.”
The original novel kicked off a series of follow-ups from the Lady Janies, blending historical fiction with whimsical, empowering twists. The TV version echoes that tone. “We wanted high-stakes drama, passion, and a lot of heart,” Burgess added. “It’s a love story with adventure and empowerment woven throughout.”
Now that the show is streaming, the authors are thrilled with how it turned out. “The show really captures the humor and energy of the book,” they said. “It’s empowering to see Jane take charge of her story—and get the happily ever after history denied her. We hope the show makes viewers laugh, feel, and believe in rewriting the narrative.”
