Renegade Nell is an all-action adventure series on Disney Plus that sees Derry Girls star Louisa Harland heading up an all-star cast that includes Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester and Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed.
Louisa is playing Nell Jackson, a young woman who somehow finds herself framed for murder. The action then follows Nell as she goes on the run and, helped by a very motley crew, she becomes the most infamous highwaywoman in 18th century England.
BAFTA-award-winning writer and executive producer Sally Wainwright (Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley) is behind the series, which was previously called The Ballad Of Renegade Nell, and it's her first British original series for Disney Plus.
So here's everything you need to know about Renegade Nell on Disney+...
Renegade Nell release date
Renegade Nell is an eight-episode series that launches worldwide as a box set on Disney Plus on Friday March 29 2024 so an Easter treat for Good Friday. Each episode is 45 minutes.
How to watch Renegade Nell: stream the historical adventure show online
Is there a trailer for Renegade Nell?
Yes Disney Plus has now released a trailer for Renegade Nell and it's every bit as fun as we expected! Do take a look below for some great Nell action...
Renegade Nell plot — what happens in the series?
In Renegade Nell, it's time to move over Dick Turpin as it follows Nell Jackson who's a quick-witted and brave young woman. However she soon finds herself in the frame for a murder she didn’t commit. With nothing to her name, she takes to the road with her younger sisters Roxy and George (played by newcomers Bo Bragason and Florence Keen) and a plucky little spirit called Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed), where she has no choice but to become a legendary highwaywoman. Together the gang must pit their wits against Nell’s formidable adversary, the scheming Robert Hennessey, Earl of Poynton, played by Trigger Point star Adrian Lester. Soon Nell realises that fate hasn’t led her astray by chance and she is destined to play a part in the power struggles playing out across the European battlefields. Nell realises her destiny is much greater than robbing the rich when she becomes embroiled in a mystical plot that leads all the way up to the Queen of England. How will she clear her name?
Renegade Nell cast — Louisa Harland on playing Nell Jackson
Renegade Nell cast is led by Louisa Harland who plays young fugitive heroine Nell Jackson. Louisa told us: "I’ve got massive imposter syndrome! I really do,’ smiles Dublin-born Harland, 31, when TV&Satellite Week asks during a break in filming at Ealing Studios, West London, how it feels to lead a show created by Bafta-winner Sally Wainwright, whose hits include Gentleman Jack and Scott & Bailey.
"I feel almost embarrassed to be running this very talented ship. I love this world that Sally has created, with its magic, fantasy and epic fight sequences. She’s so great at writing for women, too, and I don't know anybody quite like Nell. She has superhuman strength, thanks to a plucky imp, Billy Blind, who’s a sort of Tinkerbell,’ Harland explains. ‘She can beat up an army of men, which is useful while on the run. But she feels like she’s invincible and behaves like it.
‘I’ve had stunt and wire work training, and six weeks of horse-riding lessons because I can’t even ride a bike! I had to learn a Cockney accent, too. It’s overwhelming, but I feel lucky to be gaining all these new skills.
‘It’s funny because I thought Renegade Nell would be my big crossover into drama, but it’s really a massive romp. There’s comedy in a Monty Python kind of way, with elements of The Favourite and The Goonies. The whole family can watch it; there’s something for everyone.’
* Louisa Harland is well known for starring as Orla McCool in the hit Channel 4 series Derry Girls. She’s also had roles in Love/Hate, The Deceived, Boys from County Hell and Doctors.
Who else is starring in Renegade Nell?
Renegade Nell has an all-star cast including Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson (The Gentlemen) plays eccentric newspaper magnate Lady Moggerhanger.
Louise Harland explains more: "Joely Richardson plays a Murdoch-type character and she’s incredible at the fight scenes. She’s stunt-trained and our characters have a full-on fight. I won’t tell you who wins,’ Louisa Harland told us.
Adrian Lester (Trigger Point) plays the devious and manipulative Earl of Poynton. Newcomers Bo Bragason and Florence Keen play Nell’s sisters Roxy and George while Ted Lasso and Intellegence star Nick Mohammed is the prickly spirit Billy Blind. The Sinner’s Alice Kremelberg is ambitious widow Sofia Wilmot while Line of Duty star Craig Parkinson is Nell’s father, Sam Trotter. Jake Dunn (Get Even) is Thomas Blancheford, Enyi Okoronkwo (The Lazarus Project) is Rasselas also while Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent) and Pip Torrens (The Crown).
Behind the scenes and more about Renegade Nell
Renegade Nell is a swashbuckling new action and fantasy adventure series which is executive produced Sally Wainwright (Last Tango In Halifax, Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley), with eight episodes of 45 minutes each. The series is produced by Lookout Point as a Disney+ UK original series. Also directing are Amanda Brotchie (Gentleman Jack) and MJ Delaney (Ted Lasso).
Executive Producers for Lookout Point, who are owned by BBC Studios, are Faith Penhale, Will Johnston and Louise Mutter. Executive Producer for Disney+ is VP, Scripted Content, EMEA Johanna Devereaux. Jon Jennings is Series Producer and Stella Merz is Producer.
