I can confidently say that this is my favourite new show of the last 12 months. Set in the early18th century, it recounts the adventures of Nell Jackson, a young English girl of humble background without polished manners, but with courage and quasi supernatural powers. Overall, it feels as if we have seen this series before, and not just once but at least 10 times. However, a female (empowerment) angle, attractive visuals, efficient storytelling without frills, a modern soundtrack and a stellar performance from Lousia Harland combine for a highly entertaining experience that is unlike any other series we have had so far. "Renegade Nell" is neither dark - as is the case with most such shows - nor too far removed from reality, and the tone of the series is light throughout. The episodes are peppered with humor, witty dialogue and fresh ideas. The show's focus is clearly on the story itself, rather than on shock effects, CGI, twists, or a reinterpretation of history, but, yes, there are ahistorical elements alla Bridgerton. However, they don't feel too distracting, and at the very least don't strech the show's credibility. Fortunately, the violence is also kept in check. Superhero- and supernatural elements are supposed to make the show unique and attract viewers, but they do not overpower the story. They simply add to many other pleasing components, including the characters' accents and sociolects which make the interactions between the characters a lot of fun. Overall, I feel that this is the best series that they could have possibly produced. Think Dick Turpin and Rob Roy meet Elektra, with a touch of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell!
Review of Renegade Nell
