Well, we have good news for fans of Happy Valley and Sally Wainwright: the Bafta-winning screenwriter is back with her next project. Renegade Nell, is set in 18th century England, and it stars Louisa Harland, aka the wonderfully dippy Orla McCool from one of our all-time favourite comedies, Derry Girls.

First-look images for the eight-part Disney+ adventure series have just been released and it looks seriously good. So, here’s your guide to everything we know about Renegade Nell so far, including the cast who will be joining Harland on screen and when viewers can expect it to land on screens.

What is the plot of Renegade Nell?

The series is described as an “adventure and fantasy” story centred around the life of Nell – a “quick-witted and courageous young woman” who unexpectedly becomes the most famous highwaywoman in the country after she is framed for murder.

Joined by her two younger sisters, Roxy and George, as well as a “plucky but prickly little spirit” called Billy Blind, Nell is forced to come to terms with the fact that fate has placed her on the wrong side of the law “for a reason much bigger than she could’ve ever imagined”.

Who will star in Renegade Nell?

Alongside Harland, the series features an extensive (and exciting) cast.

Joining Nell on her journey, Billy Blind is played by Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed, while Nell’s sisters will be played by newcomers Bo Bragason and Florence Keen.

Notable members of the cast include Trigger Point’s Adrian Lester, who will play Nell’s formidable adversary the Earl of Poynton, described as “a master political schemer and manipulator”, and Orange Is The New Black’s Alice Kremelberg, who plays Sofia Wilmot, a young widow who joins forces with the Earl of Poynton and quickly learns that her quest for independence is “indelibly entwined with Nell’s own”.  

Other exciting names set to star include The Essex Serpent’s Frank Dillane, who plays “charming rogue” Charles Devereux, Line Of Duty’s Craig Parkinson, who plays Nell’s kind-hearted, widowed father Sam Trotter and The Lazarus Project’s Enyi Okoronkwo, who stars as Rasselas, “a spirited stable boy” who joins Nell and her sisters on the run in his own bid for freedom.

Nip/Tuck’s Joely Richardson will also appear as eccentric newspaper magnate Lady Eularia, while The Crown’s Pip Torrens will play Lord Blancheford – the father of Sofia and her “feckless, bullying brother” Thomas, who is played by Get Even’s Jake Dunn. 

Renegade Nell is being directed by none other than Sex Education’s Ben Taylor. The Bafta-award-winning writer Sally Wainwright, who has worked on hit shows including Gentleman Jack and Happy Valley, will be writing and executive producing.

When will Renegade Nell be released?

All eight episodes of Renegade Nell will land on screens on Friday 29 March.

Images: Disney+