Leicestershire's 'Nine Day Queen' gets radical new look for Prime Video's My Lady Jane

A radical retelling of Leicestershire history and the ‘Nine Day Queen’ is to hit screens soon. The “swashbuckling” story will offer an alternate take on the life of Lady Jane Grey that includes plenty of romance and a bit of “rompy-pompy”.

My Lady Jane, which is based on the bestselling book of the same name, poses an alternate reality in which the Bradgate Park-born royal, Lady Jane Grey, never died. History buffs know that the ‘Nine Day Queen’ was executed in 1554, aged just 17, but a new Prime Video drama will disregard all that and see her continue to rule England, but face “nefarious villains” who want to take her crown - and her head.

Billed as an “epic tale” of true love, My Lady Jane is led by newcomer Emily Bader who takes on the role of the Midlands monarch. She is joined by a star-studded cast including Jim Broadbent, who plays Jane’s uncle, the Duke of Leicester, while the monarch’s mum, Lady Frances Grey, is portrayed by Four Weddings and a Funeral’s Anna Chancellor.

READ MORE: The Leicestershire history behind Sky Atlantic's royal drama Mary and George

Prime Video is urging viewers to “gird their loins” for the retelling as Lady Jane is a headstrong woman who saves herself from beheading in swashbuckling fashion. The alternate take on history combines fantasy, comedy, romance and “rompy-pompy” according to show bosses.

Lady Jane Grey is not the only survivor in this new story. Lady Jane's husband, Lord Guildford Dudley - played by Killing Eve’s Edward Bluemel - also keeps his head in 1554. Jane’s predecessor on the throne, Edward VI - the only son of King Henry VIII - avoids the chop as well in the series as the fight for the crown goes on.

It’s a very different scenario from established history where Lady Jane’s future was changed forever by the plotting Duke of Northumberland who persuaded the sickly Edward VI to make Jane his heir hours before he died. When she assumed the crown, it divided the nation - the country turned against her and her reign ended after just nine days after being deposed by Edward’s sister, Mary.

Other cast members in this alternate take on events include Gavin & Stacey’s Rob Brydon as Lord Dudley, Jane’s father-in-law, while Mamma Mia and Preacher star Dominic Cooper takes on the part of Lord Seymour. Both are seen attempting to keep Jane on the throne in a bid to prevent Mary from ruling the land.

Trailers for the eight-part series reveal the swashbuckling, swearing and sexy nature of the drama which may not be for those wanting an accurate take on events. Those who enjoyed Mary & George, Sky’s Atlantic’s sex-filled take on Leicestershire’s royal seducers, Mary and George Villiers, may be interested though.

Prime Video hails the series as the way history “should have happened” and have urged viewers to “buckle up” ahead of the series’ premiere on Thursday, June 27. All episodes of My Lady Jane will stream exclusively on Prime Video.

We are now bringing you the latest updates on WhatsApp first