Exclusive: Rob Brydon on My Lady Jane:Dudley is more scheming than anyone

The genre of comedic period dramas is getting a new addition with My Lady Jane. Starring Emily Bader, Edward Bluemeul, Anna Chancellor, Rob Bryon and more, the show chronicles an alternate chapter of history where Lady Jane Grey escapes her tragic fate (factually, she gets beheaded) and instead, goes on an adventure. In an exclusive interview with Filmfare, actor Rob Brydon who plays the scheming Lord Dudley opened up about period dramas, being a Martin Short fanboy and more.

What made you sign up for My Lady Jane?

The thought of playing this character was very appealing because I hadn't really played this sort of a role before. And you're always looking for something a little bit different because what tends to happen once you have some success is people generally ask you to do that again in another thing (laughs). Dudley is more scheming than anyone I've ever played before. I've always wanted to play someone like that. So that was terrific. The other big thing was that big producers or executive producers on the show and director (five of the eight) is Jamie Babbitt. I was already a huge fan of Only Murders In the Building. Working with someone who had directed Steve Martin, Martin Short and Meryl Streep was appealing.

How different is your approach when you’re doing comedy in a period drama?

It’s essentially the same but it helped that I grew the beard. It was such a nuisance because people think you're making a lifestyle choice. They think that you think you look great with this goatee beard or you’re having some late mid-life crisis. And I had to grow my hair longer than it normally would be. But then when you get into the costumes which were far more elaborate than anything I've done before, it was a real big help. You just feel like you're in the part. I was wearing rings and jewellery and an earring. Then you've got the location. So we had some great actual locations and studio sets which were stunning. A lot of people will think that the Great Hall is a real Great Hall. But it wasn't. It was all constructed in a studio. It’s the opposite of acting with a green screen which I've done a bit of.

The trend of looking back at history and then giving it a new spin has caught on…

It's interesting. It does seem to be something that has become a trend that people are enjoying having fun with history. Our story is based on something real, but of course, it takes gallons of liberties with that. I think there's something quite exciting about that because there's a, it's rooted in a period that we know, but with so many unexpected twists and turns. I rather like that.

My Lady Jane has colour-blind castings. Do you think enough is being done to make entertainment inclusive?

It’s a reflection of society and the way it's moving. It’s referred to as colour-blind casting and society through recent history and way back has been anything but colour-blind. A person's colour has often been incredibly restrictive. Society is trying to do away with that. Now, some people get very cross about it. I don't. I think it's all part of the way society is evolving.

Fans think that My Lady Jane will fill the Bridgerton-sized hole in their hearts. How encouraging has the show’s success been in this genre?

There's no doubt that the success of Bridgerton basically says to commissioners and channels, “Hey. This kind of thing can work.” There's an audience and that's just the nature of the business. It always has been. After Star Wars, suddenly there was a lot of swashbuckling science fiction that wasn't getting made before Star Wars. I'm sure there are even more recent examples than 1977 (laughs). That's how the business works. You know, something comes along, it's a big hit and it opens the door to other things that have similarities.

Do you think British humour is better than American humour or vice versa?

I don't think British humour is better than American humour. Humour is not a sport. It’s not like one boxer beating another. There’s a very lazy general perception that Britain has a wonderful dry humour and America doesn't. That's nonsense. The Simpsons is about as dry as it gets. It’s maybe the scale of America. The country is huge so we have plenty of rubbish here. They have even more rubbish there because there's more of them. So much of the comedy that I love is American. I wouldn't for a second think that one is better than the other. I think they go hand in hand.

How much has comedy evolved over the years?

That’s interesting. I suppose you could say that it has become a little more naturalistic. I'm sure you could find examples that would contradict this, but there was Spinal Tap in America, very naturalistic and very influential and then The Office over here was influential but naturalistic again. I'm not a great one for theories. But I know what I like.

What are some of your favourite comedies?

Recently, Only Murders In the Building. I really enjoyed the comedy within Succession. It's so dry. That has been something I've really liked. I’m a huge fan of Martin Short, especially his talk show appearances. American comedians like Don Rickles and English comedian Steve Coogan are favourites of mine. I have such a wide range of tastes in comedy. I can always find something I like and admire.

Lastly, what was it like making a cameo in one of the most-talked-about films last awards season - Barbie?

It was fantastic because it's very rare that you find yourself in a hit film, let alone a film as big a hit as Barbie which was a cultural phenomenon. It was just a remarkable ride. Iwas one day's work for me, but then the ratio between the work and the response was huge. I just loved seeing people be surprised by it and mostly delighted. I'm sure there were a few dissenting voices but mostly delighted. I heard stories of whoops and cheers in some British cinemas, which is great.

My Lady Jane is currently streaming.


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