Renegade Nell Is The New Period Drama With A Twist To Binge 

Happy Valley may have only just finished last year, but acclaimed Sally Wainwright is already hard at work on new projects – menopause drama Hot Flush is currently in production, and her other new series, Renegade Nell, is dropping on Disney+ later this year.

Unlike her much-lauded cop drama, Renegade Nell is taking a leaf out of Gentleman Jack’s book and is set in the past- specifically 18th century England. Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland stars as a young woman framed for murder and who decides to turn to a life as a highwaywoman.

What is Renegade Nell about?

Renegade Nell mixes its historical setting with an adventure-fantasy twist, following the young Nell Jackson, a woman who’s shunned by her community after she’s accused of murder, though in reality she’s been framed. Faced with going on the run and evading justice, Nell goes down the Dick Turpin route and grabs a flintlock pistol to set herself up as a highwaywoman.

As she sets off on a life of donning tricorn hats and telling wealthy people to stand and deliver, she’ll soon find that her life might be more important than she ever realised. Billy Blind, a magical spirit based on the English folklore creature (played by Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed) appears to her and tells her that she has a grand destiny, and will advise her on how to fulfill it.

Who else stars?

Other members of the cast of Renegade Nell include Joely Richardson (The Sandman) as Lady Euraria Moggerhanger, described only as “a newspaper magnate”, along with Adrian Lester (The Undeclared War), Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent), Alice Kremelberg (The Trial of the Chicago 7) and Pip Torrens (The Crown). Craig Parkinson (Doctor Who) and Florence Keen (The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society) meanwhile play Nell’s father and sister, respectively.

What else do we know and is there a release date?

The eight-part series is being released on Disney+ later this year, though a confirmed release date has yet to be announced. The streaming service has released a few first-look images of Harland in action, and showcasing some of the eccentric 18th-century fashion. We’ll update you with more info closer to release.