Renegade Nell
Renegade Nell
Now Showing

Renegade Nell

"She's a bit of a legend."

7.3
Yr 2024
Status Canceled
Action & Adventure Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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Series Brief

Overview

England, 1705: Framed for murder and on the run with her sisters, Nell Jackson turns her hand to highway robbery to survive. Aided by her superpowered sidekick, a plucky little sprite called Billy Blind, Nell realizes that fate has put her on the wrong side of the law for a reason. A reason much bigger than she could have ever imagined: to defeat a magical plot against the Queen of England.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 76 /100

Critics generally greeted Renegade Nell as a fun, swashbuckling historical fantasy adventure. Many reviewers highlighted lead actress Louisa Harland for her commanding and energetic performance as the titular highwaywoman, noting that her charisma anchors the series effectively amidst its blend of period drama and magical elements.

The high production values and lighthearted tone were frequently praised. Outlets appreciated the show's rich historical aesthetic combined with comedy, framing it as an enjoyable, unpretentious romp that delivers strong action sequences and lively character dynamics.

However, critical reception was occasionally tempered by narrative flaws. A few reviewers felt that the series suffered from predictable plotting and thinly conceived worldbuilding, arguing that the overall story ultimately fell short of fulfilling the full potential of its ambitious concept.

“It's a good old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously.”

“Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland is beyond brilliant in Sally Wainwright’s new drama”

“The production looks as good as any serious period piece, and the comedy is all the better for the persuasive richness of the setting.”

“Renegade Nell never does deliver on the early promise of its concept, and eventually settles into the disappointment of unfulfilled potential”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Disney Plus
CA • UK • US
ITVX
UK
Why fans love it

The 18th-century setting provides a backdrop for a story defined by its jarring tonal shifts. Louisa Harland leads a cast that balances the requirements of a gritty survival tale with moments that lean into the cheerful and the celebratory. The narrative finds a strange rhythm by blending the grim reality of being framed for murder with the inclusion of a magical sprite.

This combination of the bitter and the audacious creates a viewing experience that refuses to stay in one lane. The suspense remains consistent, but the show is equally interested in the relationship between a compassionate protagonist and the aggressive environment she must navigate to protect her sisters. It manages to make highway robbery feel like an essential step toward uncovering a supernatural conspiracy against the Queen.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 41
Regulars 6
Longest run 6 eps
Louisa Harland
Louisa Harland
as Nell Jackson
Frank Dillane
Frank Dillane
as Charles Devereux
Alice Kremelberg
Alice Kremelberg
as Sofia Wilmot
Enyi Okoronkwo
Enyi Okoronkwo
as Rasselas
Bo Bragason
Bo Bragason
as Roxy Trotter
Florence Keen
Florence Keen
as George Trotter
Nick Mohammed
Nick Mohammed
as Billy Blind
Adrian Lester
Adrian Lester
as Earl of Poynton
Show 33 more
Joely Richardson as Lady Eularia Moggerhanger 4 episodes Pip Torrens as Lord Blancheford 3 episodes Craig Parkinson as Sam Trotter 1 episode Ashna Rabheru as Polly Honeycombe 3 episodes Art Malik as Henry Tuplow / Jeremiah Tuplow 1 episode Jake Dunn as Thomas Blancheford 6 episodes Jodhi May as Queen Anne 4 episodes Iz Hesketh as Valerian 4 episodes Daniel Rigby as Jack Trotter 2 episodes Joe Dixon as Captain Jarrold 2 episodes Ryan Gage as Japhia 2 episodes Mark Heap 2 episodes Rosalyn Wright as Trotter 2 episodes Bronwyn James 2 episodes Joe Sims 2 episodes Lily Nichol as Becky Trotter 2 episodes Brett Allen 2 episodes Susan Aderin 2 episodes Charles Armstrong 2 episodes Josie Ayers as Palgrave 2 episodes John Arthur 2 episodes Enzo Benvenuti 2 episodes Selva Rasalingam as Harley 2 episodes Graham Dickson as Nottingham 2 episodes Hilary Tones as Springbourne 1 episode Karlina Grace-Paseda 1 episode Hannah Bowers-Broadbent 1 episode Anne Rosenfeld as Tuplow 1 episode Layla-Belle Matthews 1 episode Elijah Adefowora 1 episode Ben Ashenden as Scribble 1 episode Samuel Anderson as George Horner 1 episode Ian Barritt as Magistrate 1 episode
Production Board

Crew

Standby Art Director
Laura Barnes
Sound Designer
Burak Topalakçı Jim Goddard
Additional Third Assistant Director
Alex Tawney
Director
Ben Taylor Amanda Brotchie MJ Delaney
Executive Producer
Ben Taylor Sally Wainwright Louise Mutter Will Johnston Faith Penhale
Production Design
Anna Pritchard
Supervising Art Director
Kate Evenden
Set Decoration
Faye Brothers
Original Music Composer
Oli Julian Nick Foster
Art Direction
Amie English Lydia Hornby Richard Field
Compositing Artist
Benoît Chieusse
Assistant Art Director
Danielle Blunt
Creator
Sally Wainwright
Writer
Sally Wainwright Georgia Christou Emme Hoy
Dialogue Editor
Pete Gates
Producer
Jon Jennings
Casting Director
Catherine Willis
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Martin Jensen
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Renegade Nell overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

england 18th century framed for murder aggressive dramatic suspenseful bitter audacious bold celebratory cheerful compassionate exuberant
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
March 29, 2024
Status
Canceled
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
110