In this vibrant tapestry of words, it’s evident that the author has had an enchanting journey, immersed in the whirlwind of acting and camaraderie. From sharing scenes with the captivating Kate O’Flynn, whose dialogues seemed plucked from my wildest dreams, to being part of a rock concert at 3 a.m., the hotel lobby transforming into a stage, this tale resonates with an infectious energy.
As a history enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the tale of Lady Jane Grey, a brilliant young woman, a Protestant, and a legitimate claimant to the English throne due to her relationship with Henry VIII. Interestingly, she reigned for nine days before being ousted to make way for Mary Tudor, Henry’s daughter, and later executed for treason. However, what if My Lady Jane presents us with an intriguing twist: What if she wasn’t really the queen at all?
Jane surviving and possibly thriving isn’t even the most surprising of My Lady Jane’s gleefully deployed ahistorical features (the series is based on a popular YA novel of the same title by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand). Yes, we’re talking about shapeshifters. In this world, humans are divided into two groups: Ethians, who discover in adolescence that they can transform into an animal at will (objectively cool, fun, and handy), and Verities, who are stuck in their human form forever (pitiable). Verities have convinced one another that Ethians are evil and enforce genocidal laws against them.
Instead of succumbing to the burden of its somewhat exaggerated and fantastical setting, the series directed by Gemma Burgess manages to shine brilliantly. It incorporates many genre stereotypes, such as a witty, vulgar narrator; a convincing enemies-to-lovers plotline; and a suspenseful narrative structure that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. These elements are elevated by exceptional performances from the main cast, including Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel as Jane and her husband Guildford Dudley, as well as veteran British actors like Anna Chancellor as her relentlessly manipulative mother, Lady Frances Grey, and Kate O’Flynn as Jane’s increasingly unstable adversary, Princess Mary. Furthermore, Bader, who is actually from California despite her upper-class English accent, invites viewers to embrace the show’s eccentricities. As she puts it, “It’s completely dedicated to what it aims to achieve. It’s a bit over-the-top, it’s sensual, it’s about growth, it’s an alternate history – all things I adore.”
As a movie enthusiast, I must say the electric connection you and Edward Bluemel shared in our love scenes felt incredibly genuine and invigorating. I’m curious to know about the preparation process behind those captivating moments between us. To ensure we delivered an authentic and engaging performance, we held numerous discussions with the writers and our brilliant intimacy coordinator, Ita O’Brien. Our aim was to create a genuinely sensual experience, as nothing is more disappointing than watching awkward on-screen kisses. Our showrunner, Gemma, even asked her Instagram followers for their favorite kiss scenes from TV shows, compiled them, and we watched them together. This exercise helped us understand that viewers appreciate a touch of realism in these moments. We wanted to steer clear of the polished perfection often seen in classic films like Casablanca – no disrespect intended towards this masterpiece; it’s extraordinary! Instead, we aimed to capture the genuine, sometimes messy, and even humorous aspects of intimacy between real people.
Was there any specific guidance given by the intimacy coordinator that proved helpful during these scenes?
Among the many enjoyable aspects of this series for me is getting to work alongside some of Britain’s most cherished character actors. During the shoot, I found invaluable guidance from Anna Chancellor, who played my mother, Jane. As a novice when it comes to TV acting at this scale and duration (approximately 135 days), there were times when I felt overwhelmed and put too much pressure on myself. However, Anna’s encouraging words always helped me relax: “We’ve got all day, we’ll figure it out, don’t worry about having everything figured out at eight o’clock in the morning.” Hearing wisdom from someone as experienced as her made me feel more at ease, because I sometimes believe that there should come a point when everything becomes effortless, but that is simply not the case. Every day brings new challenges and learning experiences.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Kate O’Flynn, portraying Princess Mary. She’s remarkably humble, and during our scenes, I was often left speechless, as her dialogue delivery surpassed anything I could have imagined in my wildest dreams! Not only that, but she has a knack for being hilarious. It’s been said that Kate O’Flynn and Dominic Cooper, who plays Lord Seymour, put on an impromptu rock concert at around 3 a.m., using the hotel lobby piano as their stage.
It wasn’t until quite recently that I discovered you’re not British, despite your excellent accent. How did you manage to speak so clearly and poshly? Well, I’m a movie enthusiast and I love imitating characters, so I had a good foundation to start with. In my room, I often pretend to be different movie characters, such as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, whose performance by Keira Knightley was quite an inspiration for me. I simply copied that, not in a technical sense but just by listening and repeating. I don’t usually delve into the technicalities of learning accents, which our dialect coach, Louise Jones, quickly grasped. She suggested I watch some peculiar British TV shows and listen to their dialogues. She recommended Fleabag, as Phoebe Waller-Bridge has a neutral yet posh accent that could serve as a reference. I was already familiar with it and agreed to rewatch it. Moreover, being the only American in the cast made it easier for me to mimic my fellow actors consistently.
As a linguistics enthusiast who has spent years studying accents and dialects, I find myself constantly seeking new resources to help me refine my understanding of the intricacies of language. Recently, while conversing with a friend about my latest endeavor in accent development, she mentioned a peculiar show that left quite an impression on her – one that I had never heard of before: Naked Attraction.
Do you notice any movies or TV series that seem to have inspired My Lady Jane in an unexpected way? Some people find it reminiscent of The Great, but it’s quite distinct; it shares a touch of Clueless and a significant reference to The Princess Bride, with occasional humor akin to Monty Python. There’s also a hint of Pride and Prejudice and even some fantasy elements, such as those found in The Dark Crystal. However, comparing it directly to any one show might be challenging because it blends various genres and influences.
What elements from The Dark Crystal are we blending together? Well, this setting shimmers with a giant moon that’s a touch unrealistic, but that was intentional. It’s as if you’re diving into a storybook with an unexpected twist. Our aim is to create something a bit offbeat, and it seems people are pleasantly surprised by the fun factor. With its playful vibe, the combination of allure and romance might be appealing on multiple levels, unlike many shows that focus on one aspect. We’re after an unusual blend, something that’s been missing in today’s media landscape. It appears the contemporary audience yearns for such peculiarities right now.
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2024-08-02 01:54