Critical Hit Historical Fantasy Series Canceled by Prime Video After 1 Season

My Lady Jane, which premiered on Prime Video in June 2024, has been canceled after only one eight-episode season. Despite the potential for expanding the titular character’s narrative and developing her into a stronger version of herself, Prime Video has confirmed that the series will not continue. This decision comes as a surprise to fans who saw massive scope for further storytelling.

A historical fantasy drama, My Lady Jane is adapted from the novel of the same name written by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Set in an alternate 16th-century England, it reimagines the tragic tale of Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days before her execution. Over the course of the season, we see Jane being coerced into marrying Lord Guildford Dudley, as well as navigating the perils of ascending to the throne and dealing with opposition and scheming nobles.

The show stars Emily Bader as Lady Jane Grey, Edward Bluemel as Gifford Dudley, and Jordan Peters as King Edward VI. The narrative, which juxtaposes genres like history, fantasy, action, and romance, also introduces shape-shifters known as Ethians. If allowed to continue for another season, the series could have dug deeper into the story of Jane’s rise to power and her personal growth.

My Lady Jane Was a Critical Hit

Period dramas have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with hit shows like Bridgerton, Outlander, and The Crown winning both critical acclaim and massive viewership globally. The Crown, in particular, has enthralled audiences by offering a glimpse into the private lives of British royalty. These shows have achieved success due to their compelling storytelling, rich and historically accurate settings, and strong character development. While My Lady Jane aimed to join this trend, it struggled to find a wide audience, despite initially gaining a decent position on Prime Video’s chart when released.

Critics praised My Lady Jane for its refreshing perspective on English history presented through the eyes of a young and determined queen. A Forbes review, which describes it as one of the best shows of 2024, highlights that the series is “goofy, fantastical and fun, with plenty of swashbuckling adventure.” This kind of comment was repeated across many reviews, showing that the series had its calling card marked out, and probably just needed a little more time for people to discover it. Go back a decade and many shows had 10–22 weeks to entice audiences, as seasons played out across network channels and had space to breathe. Now, with dozens of streaming shows and movies landing every week, the crowded marketplace is a live-or-die world for new shows like My Lady Jane.

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The series holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews acknowledging its bold take on history and deft balance between humor and romance. However, a viewership below Prime Video’s expectations is what likely led to the show’s cancelation. Although the series performed reasonably well, although a long way short of The Boys which was airing episodes at the same time, My Lady Jane failed to break into Nielson’s top 10 streaming charts in the month after its release. It seems somewhat appropriate that My Lady Jane has mirrored the short reign of the real-life Lady Jane Grey.