Offbeat dramedy “Jane The Virign” debuted on the CW on Oct. 13, 2014. Inspired by Venezuelan telenova “Juana la Virgen,” the new series is about a young celibate Latina who becomes pregnant after a distracted doctor artificially inseminates her. Critics say the show has shades of “Ugly Betty, “Gilmore Girls” and the variety of telenovelas from which it draws inspiration. Given that the title character (Gina Rodriguez) has worked hard not to end up like her mother, who gave birth to her as a teenager, Jane’s predicament has tugged at critics’ and viewers’ heartstrings.


This roundup features quotes from reviews of the show, which has proven such a hit with audiences that the CW picked it up for an entire season.

A Forthright Dramedy

The New Yorker’s Emily Nussbaum expressed her fondness for “Jane The Virgin” in her review of the show’s pilot. She said that while telenovelas, like the one on which “Jane” is based, demonstrate a flair for the irrational, melodrama and unbelievable twists and turns. Rather than take this approach, however, “‘Jane the Virgin’ takes a forthright approach, allowing its characters to respond with logic and empathy, even when confronted with the most absurd events,” Nussbaum writes. “The life-force-mother/cautious-daughter team is a winning combination, with echoes of ‘Gilmore Girls.’ In a lacklustre fall season, this sweet surprise of a pilot, with its shrewd narration and likable cast, made me cross my fingers that the show can maintain its charms.”

Gina Rodriguez Is Charming

A panel of critics from Entertainment Weekly had mixed reactions to “Jane the Virgin” but across-the-board praise for its star, Gina Rodriguez.

This echoes the praise Viola Davis has received for her new ABC show "How to Get Away With Murder." Kristin Dos Santos said that she expected to hate the series. “But Jane has so much charm, and the girl who plays her, Gina Rodriguez, is so darn lovable (and badass), I can't help but root for this show.”

Sydney Bucksbaum echoed Dos Santos’ sentiments. “Not going to lie, this one caught me by complete surprise,” Bucksbaum said. “I didn't think I'd be able to relate to the telenovela-ness of it all or that I would be able to get into the premise (Seriously, accidentally artificially inseminating someone? Seriously?!), but I just can't deny the charm of leading lady Rodriguez. Get ready to fall in love with this strong, confident and sweetly-optimistic-yet-realistic woman, both onscreen as Jane and offscreen as Gina.”

The Breakout Star of Fall

The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodman describes Rodriguez as the “breakout star” of fall. Although he calls “Jane the Virgin’s” premise “absurd,” he said that the show chronicles the turning point in its protagonist’s life with a mixture of humor and reality.

“Series creator Jennie Snyder Urman and her staff of writers manage to blend drama, comedy and bits of magical thinking into the show in ways that are consistently impressive,” Goodman writes. “In fact, such a tonal balancing act is the biggest worry going forward with Jane, but it's done so expertly in the pilot that it gives you confidence the staff knows what's it doing. For her part, Urman is clear on the one part that seems simple — Jane and her family absolutely adore melodramatic telenovelas. They all watch together and relate to the soapy, escapist fantasy. But almost instantly, Jane's real life turns into one.”