Amazon Prime is steadily catching up with Netflix, in regards to iconic original shows. Coming up with a new fantasy series My Lady Jane, Prime Video began making waves with its bold reimagination of historical figures and fantasy elements. Based on the YA novels, the show began by sharing a glimpse into a world of magical creatures.
However, through the process, My Lady Jane put a spellbinding twist by featuring Jordan Peters as King Edward, whose identity defies conventional 16th-century norms. Creating a rich tapestry of storytelling that diverges from traditional historical dramas, the Amazon Prime show featured Peters as a black, gay, and disabled king, which sparked mixed reactions from fans.
My Lady Jane Put a New Spin on the Vision of Royalty and Fantasy Elements
Based on Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows’ YA novels, Amazon Prime’s My Lady Jane became a stand-out series for its imaginative reworking of the 16th-century historical figure. Well, not just that, the show’s unique way of reimagining a world where the real-life queen Lady Jane Grey lasted more than just nine days on the throne while blending it with iconic fantasy elements, earned it the most attention.
Creating a world where historical figures and magical creatures coexist, My Lady Jane also imagined an alternate reality where people could change into animals known as Ethians. However, adding a bit of drama into the storyline, the authors created a rift where society pushed the Ethians out to the periphery because regular folk deemed them to be abnormal. Speaking of marginalized groups, the show also imagined the real-life King Edward of 16th-century England as black, gay, and disabled.
Starring Jordan Peters in the role of King Edward, the Amazon Prime show made a significant departure from traditional depictions of historical figures, particularly in a period known for its rigid social hierarchies and lack of representation for marginalized groups. Featuring Edward fighting to keep his throne while also navigating his queerness, My Lady Jane explored creative vision while also focusing on inclusivity.
Fans are Finding it Hard to Accept the Blend of History, Fantasy, and Inclusivity
Apart from reimagining Lady Jane Grey’s real-life brief reign as a prolonged rule in the show, My Lady Jane, set in an alternate 16th-century England challenged conventional historical depictions by incorporating daring creative choices of showcasing a black, gay, and disabled monarch. However, while this inventive blend of history and fantasy allowed for creative freedom and unique plotlines, fans found it hard to accept King Edward as a queer man.
Despite the show’s uniqueness, much of the public discourse became fixated on Edward’s queerness and disability. While the elements of inclusivity are indeed significant in the show, people’s intense focus, particularly on them, unfortunately, overshadowed the broader creative ambitions of the series. Therefore, the show’s innovative use of magic and the reimagining of historical figures somehow got eclipsed by discussions centered on Edward’s identity.
While some viewers appreciated My Lady Jane’s bold and inclusive approach, others found it difficult to reconcile with their understanding of historical accuracy. Therefore, people took to social media to express skepticism and even mock the series, since the notion of a gay, black, and disabled monarch in 16th-century England became a bizarre concept for audiences. However, despite people’s negativity towards the show, it remains an innovative imagination of historical roles with a blend of fantasy and diversity.
My Lady Jane is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime.
