TO: grievanceofficer-primevideo@amazon.com; jsalke@amazon.com; albcheng@amazon.com; Later-sllater@amazon.com; jeff@amazon.com;
SUBJECT: GEORGE R. R. MARTIN SAYS SAVE MY LADY JANE
EMAIL:
I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment over the cancellation of My Lady Jane on Prime Video. As a loyal Prime Video member, I am genuinely shocked by this decision, and I am seriously considering ending my membership. I did not expect this from Amazon or Prime, companies that usually claim to value their customers. This cancellation and the widespread outcry it has sparked clearly show otherwise.
My Lady Jane is a highly unique series that is one of the only Prime Video series created by women, for women. It resonated on a deep level with me and many other women, who felt seen and understood in a way that is rare on mainstream platforms. The decision to cancel this show feels like a direct silencing of the female voices it so powerfully represents.
Despite not being given the time or space to grow its audience fully, My Lady Jane achieved remarkable success: a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, over 300 million minutes watched, and a place in the top 10 worldwide on Prime Video for over 11 weeks. Its powerful themes of prejudice, acceptance and understanding, told through a genre-bending narrative, made it a breath of fresh air for viewers—especially women—seeking representation in media. Even its soundtrack, which features reimagined versions of iconic rock songs by female artists, further emphasised the series' commitment to celebrating women’s voices.
Professor Julia T. Wood of UNC observed that “the single best predictor of rape [and sexual violence]… is the circulation of… materials that glorify sexual force and exploitation.” Much of the media we consume subtly or overtly degrades women, particularly in the fantasy genre, where many series have been criticised for their inclusion of gratuitous sexual violence and trauma. My Lady Jane, however, stands apart by challenging this toxic narrative, offering instead a healthier and more respectful portrayal of relationships. Yet, this is precisely what Amazon Prime has chosen to cancel.
Moreover, media portrayals of intimacy often prioritise male pleasure over respect and consent. My Lady Jane counters this harmful trend by showcasing scenes that emphasise female pleasure, enthusiastic consent, healthy communication and the building of trust in intimate settings. As showrunner Gemma Burgess stated, “We have no sexual violence, nothing like that. It’s about joy for us, it’s about communication, connection, and fun. Personally, I get very upset when I watch something that seems to be having a lot of sexual violence or sexual threats against women as entertainment. That rules out a lot of fantasies. But I love fantasy shows. So, this is an optimistic, safe fantasy show.” Such positive representations are sorely needed in the media today. Rather than leading the way in depicting healthy relationships and intimacy, Amazon Prime is choosing to cancel one of the few shows that does so effectively. On a platform saturated with male-centric content, what message does this send about Amazon’s values?
The widespread outrage following the cancellation, evident in the tens of thousands of petition signatures, the millions of views and likes on social media and numerous articles published, highlights how deeply this decision has hurt the show's loyal, passionate and growing fanbase. Although My Lady Jane had already received significant coverage after its cancellation, since George R. R. Martin publicly supported both the show and the fan campaign, the series has been exposed to an even wider audience. His statement has been covered by a broad spectrum of media, ranging from gaming websites to major entertainment magazines and fantasy-focused platforms. This additional coverage, even months after the show’s release and weeks after its cancellation, demonstrates the show’s ability to continue expanding its viewership, thanks in part to Martin’s endorsement.
Let’s be clear– this isn’t just about cancelling a show; it’s about sidelining the voices, stories and work of women who deserve to be heard. While My Lady Jane beautifully crafted a relationship through a female gaze—and largely went viral because of it—it shouldn’t come to an end with Jane riding off into the sunset with (or in this case, on) her lover. The story, and its audience, deserve a well-rounded conclusion.
By cancelling My Lady Jane, you are silencing a narrative that is not only entertaining but deeply meaningful to its audience. Let our Lady Jane live beyond her execution date and continue to tell the story she’s truly worthy of.
I strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and give My Lady Jane the second season it deserves. To dismiss this show is to alienate a significant portion of your audience—women who are passionate, loyal and eager to see strong, multi-faceted women and positive relationships represented on screen. As the esteemed George R. R. Martin aptly put it, “Jane deserved more than nine days, or eight episodes.”
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
TO: grievanceofficer-primevideo@amazon.com; jsalke@amazon.com; albcheng@amazon.com; Later-sllater@amazon.com; jeff@amazon.com;
SUBJECT: Save My Lady Jane
EMAIL:
To whom has the power to save My Lady Jane (and possibly be hailed as a hero), I am writing to express my deep disappointment regarding the recent cancellation of "My Lady Jane" on Prime Video. As a loyal member, I was shocked by this decision, especially given the show's remarkable success and the widespread love it has generated globally.
"My Lady Jane" has achieved impressive milestones, including a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes and over 300 million minutes watched. It remained in the top 10 worldwide on Prime Video for over seven weeks. Social media metrics further highlight the show's passionate following:
These numbers clearly demonstrate the show's growing and passionate fan base. Furthermore, the day after its cancellation, "My Lady Jane" jumped from number 11 to number 5 on the Top 10 Most Popular Amazon Prime Shows Online (August 17, 2024), further solidifying its fanbase and the power it holds.
As Forbes so aptly put it: "Vision. Vision and the courage to give something new the space and time it needs to grow. I truly believe that My Lady Jane would have continued to build a loyal and passionate audience—after all, its fans are wildly loyal already. Now, all the charm and effort that made this series so great has been cut short."
The show is a unique, genre-bending series that resonates deeply with its audience, particularly female viewers. It is disheartening that, like the real Lady Jane Grey, our own Lady Jane may not continue beyond her initial chapter.
I urge you to reconsider this decision and allow "My Lady Jane" to continue captivating audiences with a second season. The potential for this series to flourish is immense and the passionate fan base deserves to see it fully realise its potential.
Please see the petition created to save “My Lady Jane”, which is gaining thousands of signatures by the day, as a clear indicator of the strong, passionate female-led fan base eager and ready to see this brilliant series continue.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
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