Renegade Nell Review by the Hobbit and the Elf. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch Renegade Nell
Series: Renegade Nell (Watch the Trailer here)
Rating: TV-14
Age Suggestion: 14 and up
Running Time: Varies by episode. 38-53 minutes
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
Genre: Historical fantasy, action/adventure, superhero
Warnings: Lots of violence but not bloody or graphic. Depiction of plague ravished village. Use of dark magic. Parental death.
Renegade Nell Summary
“She lives by the sun and she rides by the moon
From the Ballad of Renegade Nell (Nick Foster & Oli Julian)
Whether thief on the take or seasoned dragoon….
No quarter she’ll take for she’s sharper than steel
No scoundrel is safe from the power she wields
In England’s dark corners great legends they tell
Of fateful melees with Renegade Nell….
You’d better run from, run from, run from Renegade Nell.”
Renegade Nell follows Nell Jackson, who is thrust into a world of adventure, magic, and intrigue. Set in the 18th century, Nell becomes an outlaw to support her family after a series of misfortunes and a little bit of magic. Alongside her siblings, she navigates a perilous landscape filled with powerful adversaries and political opposition. It grabs your attention in the very first episode and keeps it throughout the season.
Renegade Nell Season One Summary
****CONTAINS SPOILERS****
Nell (Nelly) Jackson is a young military widow in early 18th century England (to put this in context, 50 or so years before the American Revolution). She is returning home when she encounters a somewhat notorious highwayman robbing a carriage. They also attempt to rob her – but she suddenly develops superhuman powers. She has the strength of 10, she is so fast she can catch bullets in flight, etc. She has no idea where these powers came from.
After returning home she finds that the son of the local lord is bullying one of her younger sisters, she again suddenly gains power and humiliates him. She then leaves to try and join the army, but the bully doesn’t take kindly to being humiliated. And retaliates by killing Nelly’s father. Her two sisters come find her. Originally planning to take justice into her own hands, she finds that her powers come from a fairy/sprite named Billy Blind. Billy has no idea why he has been sent to her but counsels her to seek justice from the local lord.
But the lord is also murdered by his bully son. This jerk immediately blames her for the murder. She and her sisters flee, becoming outlaws.
The rest of the season follows them as they grapple with their new life. Figuring out how to help themselves and others. With a twist in the finale where they also save the queen!
The first season ends on a little bit of a cliff hanger, so we’re waiting to see if Renegade Nell gets renewed for a second season.
Renegade Nell Review
****SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT****
Running through this are two themes. One is somewhat historical and concerns a planned Jacobite rebellion against Queen Anne. The other draws us further into the fantasy elements of the story, as the leader of the planned rebellion is using dark arts to make sure it succeeds (and grants him great power).
The acting, especially Louisa Harland as Nell, is really good. Some of the characters are definitely two-dimensional and acted as such, but Nell is a well-drawn character. The show is are fast-paced. The violence is generally not graphic, and some of the episodes would be OK for younger viewers, but there are scenes (Thomas shooting his father, the plague village) that would not go well with younger viewers. So I would take the TV-14 seriously. I loved the music too.
It was very much a fantasy hero series and there was not a tidy bow at the end of the first season.
Is the series Hobbit Safe? As noted, for older hobbits. Definitely has the magical air about it one finds with elves.
Favorite Renegade Nell Quotes
Justice isn’t about the law; it’s about what’s right.
Magic or no magic, you’ve got to have heart to change the world.
Justice isn’t handed out by those in power; it’s taken by those who dare to fight.
Every villain believes they’re the hero in their own story.
Family isn’t just blood; it’s the people who stand by you no matter what.
Power doesn’t corrupt. It reveals the true nature of a person.
Freedom is worth any risk, even if it means becoming an outlaw.
Family isn’t just about blood; it’s about those who stand by you in the darkest times.
In a world full of dangers, be the one who dares to make a difference.
-Renegade Nell Quotes
Renegade Nell Discussion Questions
- Did you know that there were upheavals regarding the monarchy in England in the years before the American Revolution? You may find it interesting to look at what really happened with the Jacobites.
- You hear “Stand and Deliver” several times. Do some research and find out what this meant.
- Also in this research, find out why people became highwaymen. Also, read a popular poem on the subject – “The Highwayman” by Noyes.
- While Nell is our hero, she makes several mistakes along the way. What was one she made that could have been avoided?
- A recurring theme is that the rich are held to a different and lesser standard than the poor. Is this still true?
- Were you surprised to see how many political issues Nell dealt with that are still issues today?
- How does Nell’s character evolve throughout the series, and what events are most pivotal in shaping her journey?
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