My Lady Jane

My younger self would have devoured every minute of it and my adult self is happily won over by the charm, wit and a giddiness that sweeps you along with gusto. It’s all very extra – but then so is puberty.

It’s escapist fun, bordering on nonsense – and perfect summer viewing.

In the same vein as Hulu’s “The Great,” the series is a rip-roaring and hilarious adventure full of magic, romance and bold female characters who take control of their legacies.

It’s fun for the sort of viewer who likes their historical fiction gilded with a bit of magic, and the instant chemistry between its two leads is enough to keep the attention of even those who might be skeptical of its fantastical parts. For those weary of 1:1 history shows, My Lady Jane invites you to expect the unexpected.

My Lady Jane fully embraces the heart and the message of the story it is trying to tell, with comedy and romance woven in masterfully.

By whacking some narration in to lighten the mood, it can also feel like the show wants to avoid being serious at all costs, which lands like an ill-timed joke at a funeral. But if you can look past that slight quibble, My Lady Jane is an absolute joy, best binged, that will leave you clamouring for more.

Is it better than “Bridgerton”? Oh no, dearest readers. But it’s still a lot of kooky fun.

The high concept supernatural elements aid in keeping the series light — like a summer beach read — and helps crafts an alternate history worth investing in.

For all the talk of how uniquely brave and brilliant and empathetic Jane is, however, My Lady Jane lacks the substance to match. Jane and Guildford’s delicious sexual tension aside — Bader and Bluemel give great annoyed-but-turned-on face — none of the relationships run deep enough to provoke real emotion. At times, it’s difficult to tell if they’re even meant to be sincere.

Sexy, sweary and infantile, this is one for your (inner) teen.