When it comes to superhero stories on Disney+, most fans would assume they would deal with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the streaming service has more than just comic book adaptions in this particular field. Percy Jackson is one such character that’s being expanded on.

In addition, Renegade Nell is a very charming original eight-episode series that focuses on a young highway robber who becomes imbued with magical power. The titular Nell proceeds to embark on a powerful spiritual journey to free England from tyranny. In the process, Renegade Nell explores a delightful story filled with lessons that superhero adaptations could learn from.

Renegade Nell Knows How to Deliver Nuanced Messages

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While superhero movies and TV shows are progressive narratives in their own right, authenticity is crucial to making them resonate. Instead, some superhero properties present messages that don’t feel organic to the story being told. This issue especially stands out in storylines that attempt to promote diverse representation. Eternals, for example, quickly inserted a Bollywood dance sequence without giving Kingo’s upbringing more depth. Similarly, Avengers: Endgame’s A-Force moment didn’t seem natural, while other movies checked off boxes on the perception of social justice without the necessary nuance.

Cases like these can make audiences feel spoken down to. It’s why Top Gun: Maverick and Wonka, for example, were loved for the straightforwardness of their stories. Renegade Nell has that kind of energy as Nell becomes a super-soldier, of sorts. Thanks to her sprite, Billy Blind, she gains superhuman powers such as speed, strength and a degree of invulnerability. But Nell’s Chosen One story doesn’t harp on a banner, or work in tropes that superhero properties overuse.

Nell’s storyline feels organic when she decides she needs to defeat the Earl of Poynton and stop his cult from taking over Britain. In the process, Nell addresses racism and colonialism by working to protect Rasselas, a young Black slave who escaped Nell’s enemies. A big part of their story is finding his identity before he was bought. Nell also inspires others along the way, including her sisters, Roxy and George, and fellow bandit, Deveroux. They realize that the Earl’s cult emboldens questionable individuals who are against the advancement of women, hence their campaign to take Nell down in the Disney series.

This turns Nell from a vigilante story to a legendary symbol. She never sets out to be a messiah, nor does she want the role. Because her journey hews closely to Britain’s actual history, fans connect with it. It has a genuine edge to it, which Nell comes to accept as her destiny. The fear is ingrained naturally into her foes such as the Wilmots, all while fitting the conversation of modern society. The latter is very tricky to achieve, but Renegade Nell’s creative team has clearly listened to the societal tensions existing today to bridge the gap.

Renegade Nell Understands How to Give Its Villain a Proper Backstory

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Another major plus is how Renegade Nell Season 1 gives the Earl a proper origin story. It helps that there are a few episodes to flesh him out as an antagonist without rushing through it via exposition. Other TV shows and movies don’t quite achieve this. Not everyone can catch lightning in a bottle like what happened with Killmonger and Thanos in the MCU. Some villains need time to form and establish a strong hook, or they will fall flat.

The DC movies mishandled villains like Ares, while the MCU’s Hela and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s Kang also came off rushed. Even the Fox movies had issues with villains like Sebastian Shaw. In contrast with all of these Marvel and DC villains, the Earl is given proper context that informs his desire to see the Jacobites take over. It’s also understood why he believes their political crusade should save Europe, and why their dark magic is the way forward. He sees it as divine providence, and the key to spreading his kind of Christianity. It’s all due to how the people the Jacobites wanted to rule were deposed centuries before.

The Earl’s character arc is a revenge story that is personal but also nuanced. In the process, the Earl draws a modicum of sympathy over how he hurts seeing Britain suffering under the current regime. The Earl even addresses that he knows he is a tragic monster, but has to burn the old world down to build a new one. The MCU did do this right with Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, but it’s a rare feat. Conversely, the Earl is a more balanced character with an intimidating backstory and his newfound power. As such, the Disney+ show is very much about his downfall as it is about Nell’s rise to power.

Renegade Nell Appreciates The Importance of Wholesome Friendships

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Most superhero shows and movies don’t stick to the idea of platonic friendships. Many follow clichéd romances, which, to their defense, has been a staple of Hollywood for decades. Studios think audiences need to see love blossoming and soulmates coming together. The MCU did tweak this with Shang-Chi and Katy, but overall, the recurring trend is that platonic friendships aren’t the endgame for studios. One excellent case in point is that Zack Snyder wanted to have Lois Lane get together with Batman after Superman’s death, rather than keep them as friends steeped in grief and mourning.

By contrast, Renegade Nell is about Nell creating a family. They went on the run after the Earl’s scheme got her father killed. They lost their estate and reputation, thus, Nell is about securing a home for her sisters, Rasselas and Billy. She sees the men in her life as brothers, leaving Rasselas and Roxy to crush on each other. Deveroux has the potential to be a lover should Renegade Nell Season 2 get greenlit, but apart from a joke here or there, he respects, admires and understands Nell has a higher calling. Her purpose is to save her family, restore their honor, and ensure England doesn’t fall to the Earl’s coup.

In that sense, Nell and her “Avengers” aren’t distracted from the goal, which is a bold approach. Yet, nothing is taken away from Nell. Her camp has endearment, flirting and love aflutter, but without bogging Nell down. She still has to finess her powers and, as the season ends, reconnect with a Billy she thinks is dead. This already fills up a possible second season, while keeping space for Deveroux and Nell to possibly spark something. Still, friendship works fine, as it would avoid running into the problem Star Wars had with Kylo Ren and Rey being shoehorned as a couple.

Romance has to be organic and lead somewhere. It might be a slow burn that teen dramas such as The WB’s Smallville and Dawson’s Creek used in the 1990s, but they worked and appealed to fans. Thus, many still talk about those relationships to this very day. Ultimately, Nell’s story copies from those properties and adopts a patient approach to love. It’s all about family first for this young hero, with anything else being seen as a bonus.

All eight episodes of Renegade Nell Season 1 are now streaming on Disney+.

Renegade Nell (2024)

Accused of murder, Nell Jackson finds herself forced to live on plunder and expedients with her two sisters. Helped by a brave spirit named Billy Blind, she realizes that fate has not led her astray by chance.

Cast

Louisa Harland , Joely Richardson , Pip Torrens , Nick Mohammed

Seasons

1