Prime Video’s new period comedy “My Lady Jane” has finally arrived, and it has become one of the trending titles on the platform. But if you’ve already binge watched the whole series, and you are waiting for a second season, here are some recommendations of period comedies to watch.
One thing that “My Lady Jane,” based on the novel of the same name by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand and Jodi Meadows, does pretty well is to give some feminist and queer undertones to the genre, while also making it incredibly funny.
While period dramas like “Bridgerton” or “The Buccaneers” have definitely put a modern spin to the genre, here we’ve got some underrated period comedy films that, just as “My Lady Jane,” have a strong female protagonist, a lot of wit and much fun.
Underrated period comedies to watch
Catherine Called Birdy (2022)
Stream on: Prime Video
Written and directed by Lena Durham, this period comedy is based on the 1994 novel of the same name by Karen Cushman. It stars Bella Ramsey as the title character, alongside Billie Piper, Andrew Scott, Lesley Sharp, Joe Alwyn, and Sophie Okonedo.
In medieval England, the daughter of a financially destitute Lord tries to prevent her father’s plans to marry her off to a wealthy suitor. When the most vile suitor arrives, she has to put her parents’ love for her to the test. Just as ‘My Lady Jane,’ our protagonist is smart, resilient and won’t let society decide her path.
Rosaline (2022)
Stream on: Rent/Buy Apple, Google Play, Prime Video
This Hulu’s comedy definitely deserved better. Starring the always funny and relatable Kaitlyn Dever, the film is an adaptation of the 2012 young adult novel
“When You Were Mine” by Rebecca Serle, which is in turn inspired by “Romeo and Juliet.”
Just as “Lady Jane,” this movie takes well-known characters and gives them a different ending. In this period piece, Dever plays Rosaline, who is Romeo’s ex and witty, smart woman. The story reimagines the play with Rosaline as the protagonist, who not only learns about love, but also about friendship.
Ella Enchanted (2004)
Stream on: Paramount+, PlutoTV
A classic for millennials, maybe unknown for most of Gen-Z and teens. This musical comedy, starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy, is a satire of the fairytale genre, which makes it a very funny, smart and lovable film with a smart female protagonist.
Hathaway plays Ella, who as a baby receives the “gift” of being obedient, which basically makes her literally and instantly obey every command she is given. Wanting to be free, she sets out to look after her godmother to undo her spell.
Love and Friendship (2016)
Stream on: Prime Video
Based on Jane Austen’s epistolary novel “Lady Susan,” this film is also for those looking for a period comedy with a strong female protagonist. It stars Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Stephen Fry and Emma Greenwell.
It follows the recently widowed Lady Susan in her intrepid and calculating exploits to secure suitably wealthy husbands for her daughter and herself. While is a “Lady Susan” adaptation, the movie’s title is from another Austen’s novel.
Mr. Malcolm’s List (2023)
Stream on: Rent/Buy Apple, Google Play, Prime Video
For fans of “Bridgerton” as well, “Mr. Malcolm’s List” is a classic tale of schemes and miscommunication. Emma Holly Jones directed the film, penned by Suzanne Allain, based on her novel of the same name. It stars Freida Pinto, Sope Dirisu, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Ashley Park, Zawe Ashton, and Theo James.
The plot reads: “When a young woman gets rejected by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm, she convinces her friend to play the role of his ideal match. Soon, Mr. Malcolm wonders whether he’s found the perfect woman or the perfect hoax.”