The campaign to revive My Lady Jane after its cancellation has gained an unexpected supporter — none other than Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
On September 10, Martin, 75, lent his voice to a Change.org petition calling for Prime Video to reverse its decision to cancel the historical fantasy series after just one season. The petition, which has garnered over 67,000 signatures, advocates for the continuation of the show, which left fans hanging with an unresolved storyline.
Edward Bluemel, who portrayed Lord Guildford Dudley, the husband of the series’ protagonist Jane Grey (played by Emily Bader), was elated by Martin’s support. The actor shared the author’s blog post on Instagram, expressing that Martin’s endorsement “made me really happy.”
In his blog, Martin revealed his fondness for My Lady Jane, a reimagined historical fantasy that tells the story of England’s ill-fated nine-day queen, Jane Grey. Martin described the series as “clever and original,” adding that Jane Grey has always fascinated him. He also praised showrunner Meredith Glynn, with whom he had previously worked on a shelved Game of Thrones spinoff, noting, “Knowing her talents, it did not surprise me that My Lady Jane was so much fun.”
Martin acknowledged the fan-driven petition, saying, “Got to love the fans. I wish them luck. Jane deserved more than nine days, or eight episodes.”
Bluemel, in his post, also gave a nod to Glynn, calling her a “writing genius.” Glynn, alongside Gemma Burgess, served as the showrunner for the series, which was adapted from the My Lady Jane book by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, and Cynthia Hand.
The cancellation of My Lady Jane in August came as a shock to its growing fanbase. Despite building a strong following online, the series was cut short after its first season, which had left viewers with high expectations for future developments. The show’s narrative had diverged from history, where Jane Grey was famously beheaded after nine days on the throne. In this version, Jane escapes her tragic fate, and fans were eager to see where the story would go next.
Emily Bader, who played the title role, had shared her hopes for a second season prior to the cancellation. Speaking to PEOPLE, Bader said she believed Jane would make an excellent queen and was excited to explore the character’s newfound freedom. “For the first time in her life, she is free,” Bader noted, though she also acknowledged the challenges Jane would face, particularly the looming threat to her family.
Bader also touched on the evolving dynamic between Jane and her husband, Lord Guildford Dudley, whose magical curse — which forced him to transform into a horse with the sunrise — had been lifted. “I love the fact that we ended on Guildford being able to be in the daylight. I think that’s so beautiful,” she said. Bader envisioned that while Jane and Guildford would find each other now that they were free, their relationship might take a backseat to more pressing matters, such as Jane’s struggle to protect her family.
Still, Bader remained optimistic about their bond, saying, “Jane and Guildford are made for each other.”
As the fan petition continues to gain traction and with Martin’s high-profile endorsement, supporters of My Lady Jane hope the series will get a second chance. With an unfinished narrative and plenty of potential, many believe Jane Grey’s story deserves more than just a brief reign.