Behind the Scenes of ‘My Lady Jane’ Season Finale: Chaos, Fire, and a Nod to ‘The Princess Bride’
Note: Spoilers ahead for the season finale of “My Lady Jane”
The first season of “My Lady Jane” ended in chaos and literal fire, but fortunately, not a beheading. Both Jane and Guildford survive, but it was a messy journey getting there, both on screen and in real life.
Background Information
“My Lady Jane” is a historical fantasy series streaming on Prime Video, featuring Emily Bader as Jane and Edward Bluemel as Guildford. The show reimagines the life of Lady Jane Grey, blending historical events with fantastical elements. The series has garnered a dedicated fanbase, thanks to its unique storytelling and engaging characters.
Main Event or Topic
In the final minutes of “My Lady Jane,” we see Jane (Emily Bader) led to what is supposed to be her execution, while Guildford (Edward Bluemel) is tied up to a stake nearby, forced to watch his love die. But, at the last minute, a small army of Ethians fly in, help free them both, and take on Mary (Kate O’Flynn) and her soldiers.
It all takes place in the castle courtyard and, according to the series showrunners Gemma Burgess and Meredith Glynn, staging that chaos was decidedly a struggle.
“That was so much more complicated than you even know, because we began filming that, we had five nights at Dover Castle, standing in for the Tower of London,” Burgess explained. “Dover’s on the coast of London. If you have the chance to film there in November at night, it’s beautiful. Go. But filming is tough. So we actually had to stop filming,”
“Visit the castle during the day. It’s gorgeous and amazing,” Glynn agreed. “Maybe don’t film a big action set piece there at night.”
According to the duo, it got so windy while trying to film the big moment that their crew actually had to take down the cameras and lighting equipment, and they were forced to wrap. As a result, they ended up building a replica of the castle on a soundstage at Pinewood studios.
“So half of that scene is filmed at Dover castle, and the other half is filmed about two and a half months later at Pinewood,” Burgess recalled.
And don’t worry, Edward Bluemel wasn’t actually standing on any fire for his fictional burning at the stake. As the showrunners explain, there was quite a bit of VFX involved, but the goal was always to use a mix of elements to make it look as real as possible, similar to how the DeLorean was handled in “Back to the Future.”
Of course, “Back to the Future” wasn’t the only inspiration for the finale.
As the episode comes to an end, Guildford does manage to break free of his bonds by finally harnessing his Ethian abilities, and transforming into his horse self at night. From there, Jane leaps from the platform, white dress flowing in the wind — in slow motion, of course — and lands atop Guildford’s back and rides off.
If it reminded you of a certain moment from “The Princess Bride,” good. It was supposed to.
“It was a pretty direct reference. I think we may have even watched the movie the night before,” Emily Bader told TheWrap. “You know there’s a lot of pop culture hints in this story. I think that was — Gemma and Meredith specifically had this vision of when she jumps out the window in ‘Princess Bride’ and just in like a silly, just dream-like way, falls and perfectly lands in like a thud. And it’s just funny.”
“Yes, that’s the exact shot,” Burgess confirmed. “We looked at it over and over and over again and Jamie Babbitt, our director, did a beautiful job of reenacting it.”
The showrunners are also quick to note that this particular scene isn’t the only explicit nod to another piece of pop culture in the series. Well-versed fans will spot homages to “Young Guns II,” “Crocodile Dundee” and more.
“Just because we wanted to!” Burgess said with a laugh.
Reactions and Impact
The finale of “My Lady Jane” has left fans buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Social media platforms are flooded with reactions, with many praising the show’s unique blend of history and fantasy. The daring escape scene, in particular, has been a highlight for many viewers, drawing comparisons to iconic moments in film history.
Industry experts have also weighed in, noting that the finale’s ambitious production and storytelling could set a new standard for historical fantasy series. The show’s ability to seamlessly integrate pop culture references has been lauded as a clever and engaging tactic.
Expert Opinions
Television critic and historian Dr. Sarah Thompson commented, “’My Lady Jane’ has managed to carve out a niche for itself by blending historical events with fantastical elements. The finale’s execution, despite the challenges faced, showcases the dedication and creativity of the production team. It’s a testament to what can be achieved with a clear vision and a bit of ingenuity.”
Film director and producer Mark Stevens added, “The nod to ‘The Princess Bride’ was a brilliant touch. It’s these kinds of moments that resonate with audiences and create lasting memories. The showrunners have done an excellent job of balancing homage with originality.”
Summary and Future Implications
The season finale of “My Lady Jane” has set the stage for what could be an even more thrilling second season. With Jane’s story far from over and the promise of more historical and fantastical adventures, fans are eagerly awaiting news of a renewal. The show’s unique approach and dedicated fanbase suggest that it has the potential to become a long-running favorite.
Love Sync UP
For more insights on love, relationships, and intimacy wisdom, explore more content on Love Sync UP. Don’t forget to leave your comments, share this article with friends, and subscribe to the Love Sync UP Newsletter for the latest updates and exclusive content.