Jane by Design

Jane by Design
Genre Comedy-drama
Created by April Blair
Starring Erica Dasher
Nick Roux
Rowly Dennis
David Clayton Rogers
India de Beaufort
Meagan Tandy
Matthew Atkinson
Andie MacDowell
Opening theme "Work of Art" by Rachel Platten
Composer(s) Gabriel Mann
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Gavin Polone
John Ziffren
April Blair
Producer(s) David Hartle
Kathy Landsberg
Lenn K. Rosenfield
Editor(s) Natakia Simmons
Location(s) Santa Clarita, California
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Cinematography Mark Doering-Powell
Running time 40–44 minutes
Production company(s) Pariah Television
April Blair's Logo
ABC Family Original Productions
Distributor Disney Media Distribution
Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Broadcast
Original channel ABC Family
Picture format HDTV 1080i
Original run January 3 – July 31, 2012
External links
Official website

Jane by Design is an American comedy-drama television series on ABC Family.[1] The series follows the life of Jane Quimby (Erica Dasher), a teenager who is mistaken for an adult, as she finally gets her fashion dream job working with a world-famous designer, Gray Chandler Murray (Andie MacDowell). She has to juggle between two secret lives: one in high school, and one in high fashion.

ABC Family greenlit the series in April 2011.[1] The series premiered on January 3, 2012, following Switched at Birth.[2] On February 29, 2012, the series was given an eight-episode back order. It premiered in the summer on June 5, 2012 and ended on July 31, 2012.[3] On August 17, 2012, ABC Family announced that the show was canceled after one season.[4][5]

Premise

Jane Quimby, (Erica Dasher) is a teenager, mistaken for an adult, who lands her fashion dream job. She must balance her high school life and her job. She has her best friend Billy (Nick Roux) help her out, although he had a relationship with Lulu (Meagan Tandy), a girl who has been mean to Jane since the seventh grade. Now Billy dates the new girl, Zoe, which makes Jane feel like he's replacing her. Jane's father died and her mother ran out on Jane and Ben before the series started. Jane's mother has returned home to Jane and Ben, and she stays awhile. Her brother Ben (David Clayton Rogers) tries to make money by getting jobs, but the jobs never work out until he lands one as the athletic assistant at Jane's school. At Donovan Decker, Jane discovers a world full of fashion challenges working for Gray Chandler Murray (Andie MacDowell) and tackles them with the help of her co-workers, Jeremy Jones (Rowley Dennis), India Jourdain (India de Beaufort), Carter (Ser'Darius Blain) and Birdie (Brooke Lyons). Jane tries to be the best at her job and her school, juggling the everyday challenges of high school and the world of fashion.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Special cameo appearances

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Lev L. SpiroApril BlairJanuary 3, 20121.61[7]
Jane Quimby, a high-school student applying for an internship, is mistaken for a qualified adult applicant and is hired by Gray Chandler Murray, a high maintenance fashion designer. She must now juggle her life as a high school student, a fashion designer and as the breadwinner living with her unemployed older brother.
2"The Runway"Michael LangeApril BlairJanuary 10, 20121.12[8]
Jane is thrilled when her middle school crush, Nick, asks her to the Winter Formal, until she realizes the event is the same evening as an important company preview party that Gray told her to plan. Nick sees Jane's best friend Billy and It-girl Lulu kissing. After which, Billy asks that Nick keep it secret. Jane must juggle an evening at the winter formal and the fashion runway. When one of the dresses rips in the fashion show Jane must save the day with one of the dresses she made.
3"The Birkin"Michael KatlemanAmy Rardin & Jessica O'TooleJanuary 17, 20121.33[9]
Gray gives Jane a list of things to do for a few days that includes breaking up with Brad (Hartley Sawyer), her twenty-something model boyfriend. Gray also gives Jane a Birkin bag as a reward. Ben begins working as the athletic assistant at Jane's school. Jane and Lulu learn that they are tied to become class valedictorian.
4"The Finger Bowl"Arlene SanfordJohn A. NorrisJanuary 24, 20121.48[10]
Jane comes to the aid of a stressed-out Jeremy, who's intent on wooing a demanding fashion editor with high expectations that could help or hurt his career. Jane also finds out about Billy and Lulu while Billy and Jane's friendship hangs by a thread.
5"The Look Book"Gavin PoloneFlint WainessJanuary 31, 20121.35[11]
Jane is tasked with her biggest assignment yet: protecting Donovan Decker's top-secret "look book", a collection of the company's upcoming fashion line, and delivering it to Gray in Paris. But when she loses it somewhere in the city, it turns into a mad-dash hunt against the clock.
6"The Image Issue"Melanie MayronDeirdre ShawFebruary 7, 20121.12[12]
Jane objects to India's research on high school students and fashion, so Gray gives Jane a research project. Jane puts together a video presentation for work that involves her interviewing people from high school. Billy tries out a new look in hopes of gaining respect from Lulu's father. Jane and Nick have their first kiss.
7"The Teen Model"Phil TraillMelissa CarterFebruary 14, 20121.11[13]
Jane has to take charge of an erratic teen model named Piper Grace (Lili Simmons) -- who discovers Jane's big secret. Piper agrees to remain silent, if Jane will do one favor for her. Tired of Jane's behavior, Ben decides to ground her.
8"The Wedding Gown"Michael GrossmanEmily FoxFebruary 21, 20121.34[14]
Jeremy must design a wedding dress for famous socialite Charlotte Whitmore (Autumn Reeser) who's marrying a prince; well, not a prince actually. Jane has the perfect dress, but India takes credit for it, even though the design has special meaning for Jane. Jane arranges for Nick and Billy to get to know each other. Nick and Billy play pool against two guys -- and it leads to a fight. Nick hopes Jane can make it to his baseball game, but the wedding dress drama may complicate that.
9"The Getaway"Howard DeutchJohn A. NorrisFebruary 28, 20120.96[15]
The high school goes on a camping trip. Jane wants to go with Nick; India insists Jane go with her for a business trip. Jane meets Beau (Oded Fehr) and is shocked to learn Gray is still married to him. Jane, India, and Beau's assistant Christopher (Brandon Jones) end up at a hotel bar together, where Jane opens up about her feelings for Nick. While camping, Lulu and Nick complain about their relationships with Jane and Billy, respectively. They share a kiss, and Billy sees them. Ben goes to Donovan Decker looking around for Jane and finds out that Jane's job isn't an internship like he thought. Tommy asks Billy to help him in a robbery as a getaway driver. Billy refuses but later he changes his mind, and they are both caught by the police.
10"The End of the Line"Phil TraillApril Blair & Paul HaapaniemiMarch 6, 20121.20[16]
The aftermath of Tommy's robbery has legal consequences that lead Billy to get live through his worst nightmare, being before Judge Bentley Pope... Lulu's father. Now with Ben knowing what is going on with Jane's other life, he demands that she quit. It is revealed that Jeremy is the mole working for Beau, stealing the designs from Donovan Decker. However, India is wrongfully accused by Jane of being the mole, Gray overhears this and fires India on the spot. Things are tense and awkward with Nick and Jane after Billy reveals to her that Nick kissed Lulu on the camping trip; Nick and Jane break up. Tommy prepares to get out of town, encourages Billy to express his feelings for Jane at the Donovan Decker show in Lincoln Center, while Jeremy expresses his feelings for her too.
11"The Replacement"Jim HaymanApril BlairJune 5, 20121.36[17]
Billy is released from juvenile hall and refuses to be open with Jane about his feelings for her. Jane realizes she may have a chance at getting India's job now that Gray is depending on her more, but she faces some tough competition. Ben struggles to keep Jane's secret from Rita.
12"The Celebrity"Gavin PoloneApril BlairJune 12, 20121.34[18]
The Donovan Decker team must win approval of India, who is now the style director for the Harrods department store. Aiden Chase (Parker Young), a male celebrity, is chosen to model with clothes designed by Donovan Decker. Rita feels uncomfortable with Ben moving things forward in their relationship, with Rita deciding to break up with him. Billy becomes friendly with a new female student, Zoe (Mariah Buzolin).
13"The Surprise"Phil TraillJohn A. NorrisJune 19, 20121.30[19]
It is Jane's birthday and Ben has her thinking that everyone forgot but really he has planned a special surprise birthday party for her. At work, Gray also surprises Jane with the help of Eli. India is still threatening Jeremy to tell Gray that he is Beau's mole. Billy gets close with Zoe. At the end of the episode, it is shown that Zoe is lying to Billy as she walks towards her real home, indicating she is rich like Lulu. Jane and Ben are surprised by their mother Kate (Teri Hatcher).
14"The Second Chance"Millicent SheltonMelissa CarterJune 26, 20121.08[20]
Jane decides to slowly forgive her mother Kate for walking out on her and Ben years ago. But Ben continues to have resentment towards Kate. Jane gives Jeremy an ultimatum, either tell Gray about being Beau's mole or she will, Jeremy then leaves town with the designs for Harrods without telling anyone. Leaving Jane having to work with Eli and India to recreate the designs. Amanda Clark (Briga Heelan), an actress who used to go to school with Ben and Rita, is hired as the new drama teacher for the school. Amanda then makes her move on Ben, igniting a competition with Rita. Billy learns Zoe's secret about her being rich.
15"The Online Date"Phil TraillLenn K. RosenfeldJuly 10, 20121.30[21]
Beau is engaged to a younger woman, so Kate sets up an online dating profile for Gray, much to Jane's displeasure. Amanda has auditions for a Cinderella school play, with Zoe and Nick chosen as the leads. Amanda and Rita continue to compete for Ben's attention. Billy agrees to meet Zoe's parents, later finding out that they are a gay male couple. Kate's ex-boyfriend Dakota shows up in town and proposes to her.
16"The Backup Dress"Daisy von Scherler MayerDeirdre ShawJuly 17, 20121.28[22]
Jane and Billy volunteer in backstage work for the Cinderella play, starring Zoe and Nick. Kate gives Zoe the dress that Jane made, leaving Jane without a dress to wear for her first official date with Eli. Ben gets a chance to play minor league baseball in Ohio. Jane and Eli's date gets complicated, with the buyer of the dress made by Donovan Decker appearing in the same restaurant as Jane, while Jane is wearing the same exact dress previously labeled as the "backup dress". Kate accepts Dakota's proposal and heads out to Colorado. Jane is left alone in the house since Ben and Kate went on their own journeys.
17"The Sleepover"Gavin PoloneStory by: April Blair & Paul Haapaniemi
Teleplay by: Paul Haapaniemi
July 24, 20121.41[23]
Jane has to go to London to get Jeremy back, as the deal between Harrods and Donovan Decker is on the line. Billy attempts to repair his relationship with Zoe, as Zoe becomes increasingly jealous of Billy's friendship with Jane. While Jane is in London, Eli sleeps with India.
18"The Bonus Check"Gavin PoloneJoey Murphy & John PardeeJuly 31, 20121.18[24]
Jane receives a $5000 bonus check for saving the Harrods deal. Nick sprains his ankle before his performance in the school play. Billy takes his place since he knows all the lines in the play. Jane gives up her bonus check money to fund the play since the costumes were ruined, the lights wouldn't work and Jane sees how much this play means to everyone, especially Billy. With her mother unavailable to help with the costumes, Jane enlists the Donovan Decker staff to help at finishing the costumes. Jane begins to realize her true feelings for Billy after finding out that Eli was unfaithful to her. Amanda invites Donavan Decker to the play and Eli and Gray go. They question and love the costumes so they go backstage only to find Jane there.

Critical reception

Jane by Design opened with initially mixed critical reviews. Metacritic gave the pilot episode 54 out of 100, based upon 7 critical reviews.[25] The New York Daily News gave show with 60/100 commenting that the "drama thickens fast, and if the creators keep stirring rapidly, 'Jane by Design' could become the same good soapy fun as its best ABC Family 'Sister, Sister' and compared with 'The Devil Wears Prada.'"

"There are worse ideas, and Jane by Design has the potential to be an amusing and endearing show — thanks largely to the performance of Erica Dasher as Jane Quimby, the smart and plucky star who steps into the Anne Hathaway role."[26] The New York Times wrote of the series that "It's refreshing, and ultimately unnerving, to see just how naïve Jane Quimby (Erica Dasher) is at the outset of Jane by Design."[27]

Los Angeles Times gave the show its highest score, with 70/100, commenting that the show "is not merely pandering to the teenage base. 'Jane by Design' is a font of fulfilled wishes, but they come from actual work, even if that work is presented in kicky-fun, pop-driven montage. The show is aspirational and at times genuinely exciting. You care enough about Jane, thanks in large part to Dasher, who is charming and funny, that you want her to have her cake and her ice cream too."[28] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette saying "Jane is a decent enough little show but it's difficult to imagine how its writers will manage to sustain the premise."[29] People Weekly compared with Ugly Betty[30] TV Guide gave the show with negative critical and says "[A] toothless hourlong teen-com." "If stealing from The Devil Wears Prada wasn't enough, there are also echoes of the far superior Ugly Betty in the workplace (including an evil co-worker out for Andie's job) and Pretty in Pink at school, where Jane hangs with a faux-hawked hipster misfit best bud who somehow isn't named Duckie. In the first episode, Jane risks missing a vital midterm if she attends a critical meeting called by her boss's rival. In the second episode, once again double-booked, she races back and forth between a high-fashion preview party and the school's winter formal, where she's scored a date with the jock she has long pined for (shades of MTV's awesome Awkward, though this is merely inept). Guess whose self-constructed party dress ends up on the runway? If only it all weren't so synthetic. How long before Jane has to choose between graduation and a cover shoot? Hoping for better later this week when Project Runway: All Stars premieres."[31]

U.S. Nielsen ratings

The following is a table with the average estimated amount of viewers per episode, each season of Jane by Design on ABC Family.

Timeslot (ET/PT) # Ep. Premiered Ended TV Season Viewers
(in millions)
Date Premiere
Viewers
(in millions)
Date Finale
Viewers
(in millions)
Tuesday 9:00 pm
18
January 3, 2012
1.61[7]
July 31, 2012
1.18 [24] 2012 1.27

Cancellation and intended season 2 plans

On August 17, 2012, ABC Family announced that the series was canceled.[4][5] On August 21, 2012, in an interview with Hollywoodlife.com, creator/executive producer April Blair revealed the plans that she had for the show's second season. The storylines that were to happen in season two were: Eli would find out about Jane's secret and would cover for her from Gray ever finding out. Jane and Billy share their first kiss. Ben and Rita become engaged. Jeremy would start his own independent fashion label competing with Donovan Decker and his romance with India would continue to grow, along with them being professional rivals. Amanda would begin dating a teacher named Todd (who previously had romantic feelings for Rita), as well as continuing to compete with Rita. Lastly, Kate would return to town.[32]

DVD releases

DVD release dates for Jane by Design
SeasonRegion
1
Region
2
Region
4
Ep # Discs # Additional information
Season 1 - Volume 1
March 20, 2012
TBA
TBA
10
2
The first ten episodes of the series
Season 1 - Volume 2 TBA TBA TBA 8 2

Jane by Design: Season 1, Volume 1 contains the first ten episodes of the series. It was released as a two-disc box set on Region 1 DVD in the US and Canada on March 20, 2012.[33] All episodes of Jane by Design are also available through the iTunes Store and Amazon Instant Video where each episode can be purchased separately or as the complete series.

International broadcasts

South Pacific

In  New Zealand on TVNZ's TV2 from April 15, 2012 (Sunday afternoon). The show resumed airing from episode 11 on December 22, 2013.

Europe

On Fox Life in  Russia from March 12, 2012 under the title В стиле Джейн,  Portugal from June 24, 2012,[34]  Greece from October 1, 2012 and  Bulgaria from October 3, 2012 under the title В стил Джейн.

In  Spain on MTV Spain from May 2, 2012[35] under the title Diseñando a Jane.

In  Italy on DeeJay TV from October 2, 2012 under the title Jane stilista per caso.

In  Germany on Disney Channel from May 31, 2014 under the title Jane by Design.[36]

Africa

In  South Africa on M-Net Series from June 1, 2012.[37]

Americas

In  Mexico,  El Salvador and  Venezuela on Sony Spin from June 18, 2012.

In  Canada on ABC Spark from September 4, 2012.

Asia

In  Hong Kong,  Indonesia,  Malaysia,  Burma,  Philippines,  Singapore,  Taiwan,  Thailand, and  Vietnam on STAR World from August 7, 2012.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "ABC Family Picks Up One-Hour Scripted Drama "Jane By Design"". ABC Family. April 13, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
  2. ABC Family Sets Return Dates for Pretty Little Liars, Lying Game and More By Robyn Ross, TV Guide, November 3, 2011
  3. ABC Family's 'Jane by Design' Receives Back Order By Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, February 29, 2012
  4. 4.0 4.1 Fri, August 17, 2012 4:10pm EDT by Andy Swift. "‘Jane By Design’ Cancelled — ABC Family Cancels Series After 1 Season". HollywoodLife.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "‘Jane by Design’ Canceled Officially by ABC Family". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  6. "Teri Hatcher to Make Directorial Debut and Guest Star on ABC Family’s ‘Jane By Design’ - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Gorman, Bill (January 5, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Sugar Bowl' Is Sweetest + 'Storage Wars,' 'Teen Mom,' 'Hardcore Pawn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  8. Seidman, Robert (January 11, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'The Game' Returns on Top + 'Storage Wars,' 'Teen Mom,' 'Dance Moms,' 'Let's Stay Together' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  9. Gorman, Bill (January 19, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'The Game,' 'Teen Mom,' 'Storage Wars' Top 'White Collar,' 'Justified,' 'Southland' Premieres & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  10. Seidman, Robert (January 25, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: Teen Mom,' 'Storage Wars' Tops + 'The Game,' 'White Collar,' 'Justified,' 'Southland' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  11. Gorman, Bill (February 1, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom 2' Edges 'Tosh.0' Premiere + 'The Game,' 'White Collar,' 'Justified,' 'Southland,' 'Key & Peele' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  12. Seidman, Robert (February 8, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: ‘Teen Mom 2′ Wins Easily + ‘Tosh.0,’ ‘The Game,’ ‘Key & Peele, "White Collar,’ ‘Justified,’ ‘Southland’ & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  13. Gorman, Bill (February 15, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom 2' Tops + 'Tosh.0,' 'The Game,' 'Westminster Dog Show,' 'Justified,' 'Southland' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  14. Bibel, Sara (February 23, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings:'Teen Mom' Special & Tosh.0 Lead + 'Justified,' 'White Collar,' 'Chopped,' 'Ink Master,' 'Hardcore Pawn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  15. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 29, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Tosh.0' Holds Strong, 'Teen Mom II' Falls Considerably". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  16. Bibel, Sara (March 7, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: ‘Tosh.0′ on Top + ‘The Game’, ‘Storage Wars Texas’, ‘Southland’ & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  17. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 6, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: Celtics-Heat Lead +'Storage Wars', 'Deadliest Catch', 'Tosh.0', 'The Game,' 'Rizzoli & Isles' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  18. Bibel, Sara (June 13, 2012). "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom' Wins Night, 'Storage Wars, 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Rizzoli & Isles', 'Franklin & Bash', 'Real Housewives', 'Dance Moms' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  19. "Tuesday's Cable Ratings: "Storage Wars" Tops Demos, "Rizzoli & Isles" Is Most-Watched". TV Futon Critic. June 20, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  20. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars' Wins Night, 'Tosh.0', 'Pretty Little Liars', 'Teen Mom', 'Rizzoli & Isles', 'Franklin & Bash', & More". TV by the numbers. June 27, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  21. "Tuesday Cable Ratings: 'Storage Wars' Wins Night, 'White Collar', 'Rizzoli & Isles','Pretty Little Liars', 'Covert Affairs', 'Workaholics', 'Jane By Design', & More". TV by the numbers. July 7, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  22. "Ratings - Tuesday's Cable Ratings: "Rizzoli & Isles," "Storage Wars" Top Viewers, Demos". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  23. "Ratings - Tuesday's Cable Ratings: "Rizzoli & Isles," "Storage Wars" Top Viewers, Demos". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  24. 24.0 24.1 "Ratings - Tuesday's Cable Ratings: "Rizzoli & Isles," "Storage Wars" Top Viewers, Demos". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  25. "Critic Reviews for Jane by Design". Metacritic. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  26. Hinckley, David (January 3, 2012). "‘Devil Wears Prada’-inspired drama ‘Jane by Design’ is welcome addition to the line". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  27. "A High School Naïf Doubles as a Competent Career Gal". The New York Times. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  28. "Television reviews: 'Work It,' 'Jane By Design". Los Angeles Times. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  29. "Tuned In: 'Jane By Design' a flimsy knock-off". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  30. "Critic Reviews for Jane by Design". Metacritic. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  31. "Tuesday in Review: Work It Doesn't, See Jane Yawn". TV Guide. January 3, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  32. Tue, August 21, 2012 12:48pm EDT by Andy Swift. "‘Jane By Design’ Season 2: Jane & Billy’s Kiss And More Spoilers". HollywoodLife.com. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
  33. Jane by Design: Volume One
  34. fox8's blog. "Jane by Design estreia 24 de Junho". MTV Spin. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  35. fox8's blog. "Diseñando a Jane". MTV Spin. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
  36. Sidney Schering (2015-02-09). "Der Disney Channel wird Ende März modischer". Quotenmeter.de. Retrieved 2015-02-09.
  37. "Jane by Design: Fri 1 Jun at 19:30". MTV Spin. Retrieved 2012-05-30.

External links