Following closely on the heels of historically accurate fiction like The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin and Mary & George, comes the delightful eight-episode Disney+ period comedy-swashbuckling fantasy Renegade Nell, helmed by BAFTA-winning director Ben Taylor (Sex Education) and writer/executive producer Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack). This is a radically different approach for Wainwright and a wonderfully original take on the historical romp, complete with a dashing dose of magic, comedy, and adventure.
This performance is ambitious, combining aspects of exciting highway action, fascinating politics, and fairy-tale magic with overtones of folklore. Here, Louisa Harland plays Nell Jackson, a bandit, outlaw, and hero who by happenstance rises to prominence as the most infamous and sought-after highwayman in eighteenth-century England. The journey Nell and her group embark on to seek justice is reminiscent of an episode of Doctor Who, complete with a gripping story of cat and mouse and David and Goliath dynamics.
Beneath the highway shenanigans, Wainwright deftly addresses contemporary themes of gender politics and class conflict as Nell tries to rebel against her situation and take on the villainously cruel, and blatantly unaccountable, affluent aristocracy. Additionally, Wainwright isn’t hesitant to address touchy historical subjects like slavery, as evidenced by Enyi Okoronkwo’s charming character Rasselas, a former slave turned gang member, and his complex relationship with Sofia Wilmot (Alice Kremelberg), his childhood friend and secret enemy.
As the fearless new hero, Louisa Harland excels.
This show has a lot going on, and it’s not always obvious to whom it’s truly intended. At points, it’s dark, violent, and mature, like a young adult drama that veers into adult territory. In contrast, the fantasy aspects seem more geared for a family audience.
Harland, however, steals the show as the valiant new hero, transforming with ease from a blunderbuss-wielding highwaywoman to an undercover member of high society, from cockney to RP, and even into a Scottish accent. The charming Derry Girls star gives her convention-defying rebel genuine wit and confidence, more than fitting the shoes of a Sally Wainwright leading lady. A remarkable range of British ability can be seen in the outstanding supporting ensemble, with Adrian Lester standing out as the wickedly diabolical Earl of Poynton and Joely Richardson giving a hilariously prim and proper performance as the cleverly called Lady Eularia Moggerhanger.
With a magnificent production and impressive historical costumes, the creative team masterfully captures the richness and excess of the 18th century, giving Bridgerton a run for its big wig money. Renegade Nell is a powerful action movie that is jam-packed with amazing hand-to-hand fight scenes, exciting shootouts, and superpowered action sequences.