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“Nothing happens in a vacuum,” notes Dcs Ian St. Clair (David Morrissey) in one of several police press conferences which punctuate the return of gritty crime drama “Sherwood” to BritBox (November 14). “There is such a thing as a mood or a culture that is hard to see, hard to define. But it can grip a place.” On this occasion, it’s not the deep-seated divisions stemming from a 1980s miners’ strike that has the stranglehold, but a middle-aged matriarch hellbent on exacerbating a bitter turf war.

It’s a pivot which both justifies a second helping – most of its BAFTA-nominated predecessor’s loose ends appeared to have been tied up – and helps fill the void opened up by another naturalistic, nail-biting BBC saga. Of course, its first season already had plenty in common with Sally Wainwright’s “Happy Valley”; an instinctive grasp of its Northern England surroundings, for example, and...

Exclusive: Like the name of a band or title of a great album, the moniker given to a production company can come loaded with meaning.

“I wanted to make it something personal, rather than just cool-sounding and generic,” James Norton explains when asked about Rabbit Track Pictures, the film and TV production company he runs with Kitty Kaletsky. “I went through all these halcyon films and stuff, but actually, the rabbit track, for me, was somewhere as a child at the back of my garden. From the moment I can remember, it was the place where we were allowed to roam, and adventures would happen. It was fun and wild and feral.”

The name was chosen before Kaletsky came on board, but the production company has since been a joint enterprise. Kaletsky — formerly of Number 9 Films, Archery Pictures and Black Bear — often handles the day-to-day operations, notably when Norton is filming.

Exclusive: Liam Keelan is exiting his role as Disney’s SVP of Original Content, Emea, we can reveal.

The veteran British exec has been with Disney for nearly five years, but has decided to leave in early 2025. News of the departure was transmitted internally moments ago.

A recruitment process for a replacement is set to begin, and will no doubt attract big players from the international community, given the scope of the role.

Keelan built the Europe and Africa programming team from scratch as Disney+ went international, and has seen the group produce 70 originals under his leadership. His UK-based exec team includes scripted chief Lee Mason, unscripted head Sean Doyle for unscripted content and production management head Amanda Wilkie-Sweeney, and he also oversees local commissioners across the Emea region.

Earlier this year, his team unveiled a series of projects out of Spain and France, news that followed Keelan last year...

“Riot Women,” the upcoming drama series from multi-bafta award-winning writer Sally Wainwright, has announced its cast. The BBC and BritBox International co-commissioned production is currently filming in West Yorkshire and will premiere next year. Set in Hebden Bridge, the six-part series tells the story of five women who form a punk-rock band with two backing […]

Riot Women: BBC and BritBox International Cast Announced...

Today, BritBox and the BBC announced the cast of Riot Women, the brand-new drama series from the multi-bafta award-winning writer Sally Wainwright.

Leading the cast and the Riot Women band are Joanna Scanlan as Beth, Rosalie Craig as Kitty, Tamsin Greig as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore as Yvonne.

Anne Reid (The Sixth Commandment) will play Nancy, Holly and Yvonne’s mother, with Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) as Jess’s Aunt Mary. Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), and Angel Coulby (Merlin) also join the cast.

In Riot Women, we dive headfirst into the world of five women who, along with two riotous backing singers, come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest, but in writing their first original song, soon discover that they have a lot to say – and this is their way to say it.

Joanna Scanlan and Tamsin Greig have been confirmed to star in Sally Wainwright’s new BBC and Britbox drama “Riot Women.”

“Riot Women” is the new drama from “Happy Valley” creator Wainwright, about a group of middle-aged women who decide to enter a talent contest by forming a punk-rock band. After writing their first song, however, they realize they have plenty to say and now, the means to say it.

Scanlan, who is currently appearing in “Slow Horses” and “A Very Royal Scandal,” will play Beth while Greig, who’s known for “Black Books” and “Sexy Beast,” plays Holly. Joining them will be Rosalie Craig (“Moonflower Murders”) as Kitty, Lorraine Ashbourne (“Sherwood”) as Jess and Amelia Bullmore (“The Buccaneers”) as Yvonne.

The six-part series is produced by Drama Republic, the Mediawan-owned banner behind “One Day,” and has been commissioned by the BBC and BritBox. The project was originally announced...

BAFTA-winner Joanna Scanlan is leading Riot Women, Sally Wainwright’s BBC series about a group of middle-aged women who form a punk rock band, while BritBox International has boarded as co-producer.

Scanlan, who won a BAFTA for After Love, will play Beth opposite Rosalie Craig (Moonflower Murders, Serpent Queen) as Kitty, Tamsin Greig (Sexy Beast, The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Alma’s Not Normal) as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore (The Buccaneers, Vienna Blood) as Yvonne. Anne Reid (The Sixth Commandment) will play Nancy, Holly and Yvonne’s mother, with Sue Johnston (The Royle Family) as Jess’s Aunt Mary. Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and Angel Coulby (Merlin) also join the cast.

The series sees the women, along with two backing singers, come together to create a makeshift band in order to enter a local talent contest, but in writing their first original song,...

Sally Wainwright, creator of TV hits Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, and Gentleman Jack, is turning her attention to a new BBC project, Riot Women.

The six-episode series, from Drama Republic, on Thursday unveiled its cast as filming continues in West Yorkshire, England.

Joanna Scanlan (After Love, The Thick of It) will lead the cast as Beth, along with Rosalie Craig (Moonflower Murders, Serpent Queen) as Kitty, Tamsin Greig (Sexy Beast, The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin) as Holly, Lorraine Ashbourne (Sherwood, Alma’s Not Normal) as Jess, and Amelia Bullmore (The Buccaneers, Vienna Blood) as Yvonne.

In Riot Women, “we dive headfirst into the world of five women who, along with two riotous backing singers, come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest,” a plot synopsis reads. “But in writing their first original song, they soon discover that...

“Renegade Nell”, the live-action TV series, created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Ben Taylor, set in the 18th century, has been canceled after one season streaming on Disney+:

“…’Nell Jackson’, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder…

‘…and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England.

‘But when a spirit called ‘Billy Blind’ appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined…”

Click the images to enlarge...

The story of Renegade Nell has come to an end. Disney+ has cancelled the fantasy-adventure series from Sally Wainwright after just one season. The series was released by the streamer on March 29th.

Louisa Harland, Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, and Nick Mohammed star in the fantasy adventure Renegade Nell series set in 18th-century England. The story follows a female highwayman, Nell Jackson (Harland), who is framed for murder.

Read More…...

Disney+ has confirmed that Sally Wainwright’s series Renegade Nell will not return for a second season. A Disney+ spokesperson said: “Renegade Nell, will not continue for another season. We are proud of the world created by Sally Wainwright and lead director Ben Taylor. We thank them, Lookout Point, the cast, and crew, including lead Louisa […]

Disney+ Cancels Sally Wainwright’s Renegade Nell...

Despite strong reviews for the first season, Renegade Nell won’t be returning for season two at Disney+.

Renegade Nell debuted on Disney+ in March 2024 to good reviews, but that didn’t save the Sally Wainwright penned series from getting axed from the streamer’s slate.

“Disney+ Original series, Renegade Nell, will not be returning for a second season on the service. We’re incredibly proud of the world created by Sally Wainwright and lead director Ben Taylor. We’d like to thank them, our production partners at Lookout Point, the entire cast – led by Louisa Harland – and crew for their incredible work on this series, all of whom we hope to work with again in the future,” said a Disney spokesman, as reported by Deadline.

The cancellation comes as a bit of a surprise and it’s certainly a disappointing development for Disney+’s UK productions. The series holds...

Exclusive: Sally Wainwright’s Renegade Nell will not make it past a first season on Disney+.

The series about a quick-witted outlaw in 18th century England, which was the storied British scribe’s first for a streamer, launched several months back. We are told it hasn’t reached the threshold for a Disney+ renewal based on several metrics. Cast, creatives and production staff at the show’s producer Lookout Point have been told.

Renegade Nell was unveiled three years ago with fanfare and was one of the highest profile series to be commissioned out of Disney+’s UK office.

Starring Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland, the show followed the eponymous Nell, who finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in England. But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. Cast also included Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed and Joely Richardson.

More! Like baby chicks gape-mouthed in the nest, Doctor Who fans demand to be fed. Series 14 was gulped down in what felt like record time, and now comes the hunger. After “Empire of Death”, the mystery of Ruby’s mother was solved and the revelation that Sutekh has been Teen Wolfing it atop the Tardis since 1975, we want to know… what’s next?

A Christmas special, followed by eight new episodes is what, plus the continuation of the current companion and the introduction of a new one. Read all about it below.

2024 Christmas Special “Joy to the World”

On the press circuit for Steven Moffat’s series 14 episode “Boom”, the former showrunner confirmed that yes, the rumours are true, he’s the writer of the 2024 Christmas special. The episode is called “Joy to the World”, it’s set at least partly during WWII, features a scene on Mount Everest, and...

Exclusive: Kimberly Carver, who represents the likes of Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, who are behind Wizards of Waverly Place reboot, has moved from Anonymous Content to Avalon.

Carver, who also recently exec produced Max’s Julia Child drama Julia, has joined the company as a manger based in LA.

It is the latest expansion for UK-founded firm Avalon in the U.S., where it has added six manager in the U.S. and struck a partnership with literary talent at The Agency.

Carver joined Anonymous Content at the end of 2021, where she was a manager and producer working in scripted and non-fiction formats, representing a diverse group of writers, directors, documentary filmmakers, and podcasters. In addition to exec producing Julia, she also produced several comedy series, including Barely Famous and Comedy Get Down, and co-created the non-scripted series The Julia Child Challenge during her tenure at 3 Arts Entertainment.

BBC boss Tim Davie has issued a dire warning over the future of public service broadcasting globally. “It’s scary. It’s really problematic,” he said. “I mean not ‘marginally troublesome.’ I would say it’s a red alert situation in many many markets.”

Davie warned the situation was only getting worse as politics becomes “more polarized.”

Davie was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Analysis Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday morning alongside Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon, managing director of ITV Studios Julian Bellamy and Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5 and regional lead for Paramount on a panel headed “U.K. television’s digital age.” The panel was moderated by Deloitte partner Rupert Darbyshire.

Mahon also spoke of public service broadcasters’ (PSBs) “battle for truth and trust” which she said is something “very different to something aggregated and algorithmically served.” PSBs were particularly important for young people,...

Jan Koeppen, president of The Walt Disney Company Emea, has restated the company’s commitment to cinemas, speaking of the company’s “belief in the importance of theatrical distribution.”

“Everyone at Disney loves movies, and we love to make them big,” he said.

The Disney Emea boss was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Analysis Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday morning, where he touched on the breadth of Disney’s business, from theatrical to linear. Using “The Lion King” as an example, he noted that since the animated film’s debut 30 years ago it has spawned stage shows, theme park experiences, consumer products, is available on Disney+ and has a spin-off, “Mufasa,” coming out this winter. “We believe strongly that the breadth of our business is a key source of advantage,” he said. “It brings strength, resilience and opportunity.”

Unsurprisingly, Koeppen also spent some time talking...

Emily Bader plays Lady Jane Gray in My Lady Jane for Amazon Prime Video, here’s the trailer for the new show.

Historical swashbucklers with female leading roles are becoming a regular feature, what with the success of Netflix’s Damsel and the Enola Holmes series, as well as Sally Wainwright’s wonderful Renegade Nell on Disney+.

The latest to hit the market is My Lady Jane, which comes to Amazon’s Prime Video service next month.

The synopsis reads as follows:

Gird your loins for the tragic tale of Lady Jane Grey, the young Tudor noblewoman who was Queen of England for nine days and then beheaded in 1553… F*ck that. We’re retelling history the way it should have happened: the damsel in distress saves herself. This is an epic tale of true love and high adventure set in an alt-universe of action, history, fantasy, comedy, romance, and rompy-pompy.

Two of Britain’s biggest stars won top honors at the BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday: Timothy Spall finally prevailed in the Best Actor race after three previous bids while Sarah Lancashire collected a bookend Best Actress award for the third and final season of “Happy Valley”; she’d won for season 2 back in 2017 and has a supporting prize for “Last Tango in Halifax” as well.

Backstage, Spall readily admitted, “I’m over the moon about this. I just am. So often the bridesmaid, today I catch the bouquet.” He then pondered the importance and meaning of awards ceremonies. “When you keep losing them, you think they’re a load of bollocks. And then you win and you think well, actually… Really, I suppose, in a way, they are both — they’re magnificent and they are an in-house thing. But it’s a profession — a dodgy, shaky, insecure profession that occasionally celebrates itself,...

Happy Valley and Top Boy shared the BAFTA love on Sunday night at the British Academy’s prestigious Television Awards in London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Sarah Lancashire took home the top prize for her performance in Sally Wainwright’s Yorkshire-based police thriller, and fellow Briton Timothy Spall beat Succession‘s Brian Cox to win the equivalent award, best leading actor, for The Sixth Commandment – which also won two BAFTAs.

Jasmine Jobson claimed the best supporting actress prize for her role in drug-gang drama Top Boy, which also went on to win best drama. Matthew Macfadyen was the only winner for Jesse Armstrong’s hugely popular black satirical comedy, winning the award for best supporting actor in Succession. Sitcom Such Brave Girls claimed best scripted comedy.

Notably, The Crown and Black Mirror missed out despite leading the nominations ahead of the awards show with eight and seven, respectively, and in...

The Best Drama Writer category at Sunday’s 2024 BAFTA TV Crafts Awards was a pretty stacked one. “Black Mirror” creator Charlie Brooker was nominated with “Ms. Marvel” creator Bisha K. Ali for their work on “Black Mirror: Demon 79” while British favourite Sally Wainwright was cited for “Happy Valley,” a critical darling over here in the UK. Sarah Phelps was also nominated for “The Sixth Commandment” while Emmy-winner Jesse Armstrong was recognized for his work on awards-juggernaut “Succession.”

We spoke to Armstrong on the red carpet at the Craft Awards, which were held at The Brewery in East London. Armstrong was keen to point out the strength of his fellow nominees and how this category felt like a particularly impressive one, while he said he was grateful that his American show was recognized by the British BAFTAs.

“We’re an American show made by HBO so to be here with my British peers is really lovely,...

The BAFTA TV Craft Awards were handed out at the Brewery in East London on Sunday, April 28. The Craft Awards, like the Creative Arts Emmy, are dedicated to below-the-line categories with a dozen devoted to fictional programming, another six to factual, and four are in a combined field to make 22 categories overall. The main TV awards ceremony will commence on May 12 but, for now, scroll down for the full list of Craft Awards winners.

Fiction

Costume Design

“The Crown” – Netflix

“Silo” – Apple TV+

“Demon 79 (Black Mirror)” – Netflix

“The Great” – Lionsgate+ — Winner

Director (Fiction)

Joseph Bullman, “Partygate” – Channel 4

Lewis Arnold, “The Long Shadows” – ITV1

Peter Hoar, “The Last of Us” – HBO/Sky Atlantic — Winner

William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy” – Netflix

Editing (Fiction)

“Time” – BBC

“Happy Valley” – BBC

“Slow Horses” (episode 1) – Apple TV+ — Winner

“Slow Horses” (episode 6) – Apple TV+

Emerging Talent (Fiction)

Andrew Bogle (writer), “Kirkmoore Fudge Park” – BBC

Haolu Wang...

BAFTA Unveils Special Award Winner & Host For 2024 Craft Gongs

UK mentoring organization Mama Youth Project is to win this year’s Special Award at the BAFTA Television Crafts, which has revealed Stacey Dooley as host. Founded by TV editing vet Bob Clarke in 2005 to make a career in TV and film more accessible to people from underrepresented backgrounds, the Mama Youth Project has helped more than 800 young people across the UK, and it says it has a 90% employment success rate. “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, mentors, partners, and most importantly, the incredible young people who have entrusted us with their dreams,” said Clarke. Previous recipients of the award include veteran production head Alison Barnett and TripleC, a gateway organization for deaf, disabled or neurodivergent people to access the arts and media. The award will be presented during the BAFTA Television Craft Awards ceremony on Sunday 28 April,...

Renegade Nell was a “chance to reimagine what a Disney hero is.” So says director Ben Taylor, who directs and executive produces the Disney+ original series created by Sally Wainwright. Taylor, known for Sex Education and Catastrophe, says Louisa Harland‘s ass-kicking Nell Jackson “makes absolute sense as the third part of that triangle” made up of powerful female characters created by Wainwright, such as Happy Valley‘s Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) and Gentleman Jack‘s Anne Lister (Suranne Jones). In the eight-episode Renegade Nell, Nell Jackson, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England. But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind (Ted Lasso‘s Nick Mohammed) appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. The cool, and occasionally inconvenient, thing about Nell’s powers is that they activate when she’s in danger.

Renegade Nell is a British historical fantasy adventure series created by Sally Wainwright. The Disney+ series follows the adventures of a young woman named Nell Jackson, who finds herself framed for murder as she flees to save her life she becomes a highwayman and with the help of a spirit she becomes one of the most feared highwaymen. Renegade Nell stars Louisa Harland in the lead role with Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed, and Bo Bragason starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the adventures of Nell Jackson, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (Apple TV+) Credit – Apple TV+

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin is an absurd comedy series loosely based on the real life of highwayman Dick Turpin. Created by Claire Downes, Ian Jarvis, and Stuart Lane, the Apple TV+ series follows the story...

Take a look at the “Renegade Nell” live-action TV series, created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Ben Taylor, set in the 18th century, now streaming on Disney+:

“…’Nell Jackson’, a quick-witted and courageous young woman…

“…finds herself framed for murder…

‘…and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England.

‘But when a spirit called ‘Billy Blind’ appears…

“…Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined…”

Click the images to enlarge...

Nell Jackson is the latest historical TV creation by Sally Wainwright, the writer-director who brought “the first modern lesbian” Anne Lister to screen in HBO/BBC series Gentleman Jack. Anne was a real-life 19th century figure who left behind thousands of diary pages for her biographers to decode. Being fictional, Nell Jackson obviously left no such legacy, but her fantastical story does cross over with real historical events and established folklore from the British Isles.

Eight-part Disney+ series Renegade Nell is set in 1705. To pinpoint the date in TV terms, that’s 100 years before Bridgerton, 200 years after The Tudors, and 40 or so years before Outlander‘s wigs-and-corsets era. Or for moviegoers, 1705 is the exact year in which Yorgos Lanthimos’ Oscar-winner The Favourite, which also featured Queen Anne, was set.

Queen Anne and the Jacobite Plot

Queen Anne (played in Renegade Nell by Jodhi May) was the English monarch for 12 years in the early 18th century,...

In a recent interview, Renegade Nell director and executive producer Ben Taylor offered some insight into the possibility of a second season.

All eight episodes of Renegade Nell's first season hit Disney+ on March 29. By the next day, the show had a 79% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes from reviewers and an 84% Audience Score.

The series features the likes of Louisa Harland, Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, and Nick Mohammed, and it was written by Sally Wainwright.

Read full article on The Direct.

When clever and courageous Nell Jackson finds herself framed for murder, she must turn to life on the lam as the most feared highwaywoman in war-torn England. Helped by a magical spirit, Nell only has to wait for fate to reveal her freedom. Created by Sally Wainwright and starring Louisa Harland (“Derry Girls”), “Renegade Nell” will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Friday, March 29. You can watch Renegade Nell: Season 1 with a subscription to Disney+.

How to Watch ‘Renegade Nell’ Series Premiere When: Friday, March 29, 2024 Where: Disney+ Stream: Watch with a subscription to Disney+. Sign Up Now$7.99+ / month disneyplus.com

Get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for just $14.99 a month ($12 savings).

About ‘Renegade Nell’ Series Premiere

Created by Sally Wainwright, the new British action-adventure fantasy series “Renegade Nell” stars Louisa Harland (“Derry Girls”) as the quick-witted and courageous Nell Jackson, who finds herself framed for murder and becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th century England.

Take a look at the “Renegade Nell” live-action TV series, created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Ben Taylor, set in the 18th century, streaming March 29, 2024 on Disney+:

“…’Nell Jackson’, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder…

‘…and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England.

‘But when a spirit called ‘Billy Blind’ appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined…”

Click the images to enlarge...

Disney has a new hero in Renegade Nell. Derry Girls‘ Louisa Harland anchors the series as the titular Nell Jackson (not Nellie!), whose sudden superpowers gifted to her by the magical spirit Billy Blind (Ted Lasso‘s Nick Mohammed) make her everyone’s prime target. Be they friend or foe, Nell leaves everyone in awe of her strength and skill — things she must put to good use when she’s framed for murder and goes on the run to prove her innocence and protect her family. Co-starring in the series created by Sally Wainwright, the mind behind Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, are Joely Richardson as Lady Eularia Moggerhanger and Alice Kremelberg as Sofia Wilmot. Eularia is more obsessed with Nell, whereas Sofia is her green-with-envy nemesis. “Sofia would be incredibly jealous that she has this power. She’s never seen anyone do anything like this,” Kremelberg tells TV Insider above.

“I’m beginning to wonder if you’re not destined for very great things, Nelly Jackson. I’m beginning to wonder if you’ve been sent to the planet for something special.” So Nell (Louisa Harland) is told midway through Disney+’s Renegade Nell, but by that point the prediction feels like a wild understatement. After all, it’s coming from Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed), the mysterious sprite who occasionally grants her otherworldly gifts of strength, speed and invulnerability. Surely the narrative gods never intended her to apply such strange talents to a humdrum life.

What that specific “something special” might be, however, proves more difficult to pin down. Nell accomplishes plenty over the adventure’s first season, such that this common nobody even gets tangled up in the struggle between Queen Anne (Jodhi May) and the Jacobite traitors who would overthrow her. But Renegade Nell never does deliver on...

Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright returns with a surprising addition to her already jam-packed repertoire with this fun and beautifully acted action-packed adventure for Disney+.

Renegade Nell stars Derry Girls alum Louisa Harland as Nell Jackson, a feisty highwaywoman in 1700s Britain. Nell finds herself framed for murder and becomes a female highwayman in 18th century England, soon becoming the most feared highwaywoman in the country. But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed) appears, Nell realises her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined.

Far from being a straightforward historical romp, this is Wainwright’s unexpected foray into the fantasy genre. It is also the perfect vehicle for Harland who appears to be having a whale of a time here.

We spoke to Harland and co-stars Nick Mohammed, Adrian Lester, Joely Richardson, Frank Dillane, Alice Kremelberg, newcomer Jake Dunn and director Ben Taylor about their experience working with the legendary writer.

Having established herself at the BBC with the police procedural “Happy Valley” and the crossdressing costume drama “Gentleman Jack,” screenwriter-turned-showrunner Sally Wainwright has followed countless creatives and taken the Disney shilling to initiate her latest project. You can hardly blame her, given the reduced offer the cash-strapped British broadcaster is now extending even to its more illustrious dramaturges: rarely more than three episodes per series and four characters per scene. Imposed by post-Brexit belt-tightening, this sorry set of limitations has exasperated those obliged to work within them while dispiriting viewers, left watching the life — and the talent — drain from primetime broadcasts.

Mashing up historical and fantastical elements, the pricey-looking, eight-part “Renegade Nell” rides into a surprisingly crowded field for light period entertainments straddling the Stuart and Georgian eras, emerging after the sadly short-lived BBC comedy “The Witchfinder” and Apple TV+’s recent “The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.” While...

1705. England is a mess. Society is crooked. The rich stamp on the poor and nobody, from the gouty magistrates to Queen “Brandy Nan” Anne, is doing a damn thing about it. The people need a hero, and Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack’s Sally Wainwright has written them one in Nelly Jackson.

Played by Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland, Nell is a kickass 18th century action hero infused with supernatural strength by her spirit sidekick Billy Blind (a winged Nick Mohammed from Ted Lasso). Between those two, Nell’s younger sisters, a formerly enslaved servant, and a louche conman, they’re going to save the world. Or maybe just Tottenham.

Renegade Nell is an eight-part British historical adventure series. In a mirror universe, it might have aired in the Saturday teatime slot on BBC One in the Doctor Who, Robin Hood, Merlin and Atlantis vein, just made with more cash and more women,...

Happy Valley has won a trio of Broadcasting Press Guild Awards (Bpg) a day after being nominated for six BAFTAs.

The final season of Sally Wainwright’s BBC/AMC+ epic scooped the Best Drama, Best Writer and Best Actress awards. The Sarah Lancashire-starrer ended with a bang as Lancashire’s Catherine Cawood faced off with James Norton’s Tommy Lee Royce, and the show will not be returning.

Elsewhere at the BPGs, which turns 50 this year with a ceremony in London, ITV hit Mr Bates vs the Post Office was given a jury prize and The Crown exec Andy Harries won the coveted Harvey Lee Award for outstanding contribution to broadcasting, a few months after Netflix’s royal saga ended.

Gary Oldman scooped the Best Actor prize for his role in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, a day after being snubbed by the BAFTAs. The BBC’s Time was Best Drama Mini Series,...

The Primetime Emmys dedicate an entire weekend to a collection of below-the-line categories with the Creative Arts Emmys. Similarly, the BAFTA TV Awards have the BAFTA TV Craft Awards to recognize these artists. A dozen categories are devoted to fictional programming, another six to factual, and four are in a combined field to make 22 categories overall. These awards will take place on April 28, two weeks before the main ceremony on May 12. Scroll down for the full list of Craft Awards nominees.

Fiction

Costume Design

“The Crown” – Netflix

“Silo” – Apple TV+

“Demon 79 (Black Mirror)” – Netflix

“The Great” – Lionsgate+

Director (Fiction)

Joseph Bullman, “Partygate” – Channel 4

Lewis Arnold, “The Long Shadows” – ITV1

Peter Hoar, “The Last of Us” – HBO/Sky Atlantic

William Stefan Smith, “Top Boy” – Netflix

Editing (Fiction)

“Time” – BBC

“Happy Valley” – BBC

“Slow Horses” (episode 1) – Apple TV+

“Slow Horses” (episode 6) – Apple TV+

Emerging Talent (Fiction)

Andrew Bogle (writer), “Kirkmoore Fudge...

“The Crown” could well bow out in style on home soil, with the final outing of the show leading the list of nominees for the 2024 BAFTA TV and TV Craft awards, announced Wednesday.

Netflix’s hit royal drama — which came to an end last year after six seasons — landed eight nominations in total, including for Dominic West, Elizabeth Debecki, Lesley Manville and Salim Daw in the performance categories. However, it missed out for drama series (an award it has been nominated for three times previously).

Just behind “The Crown” and also a Netflix production, the apocalyptic “Black Mirror” episode “Demon 79” earned seven nominations, including limited drama and leading actress for Anjana Vasan.

Further down in a tight group of frontrunners, BBC dramas “Happy Valley” and “The Sixth Commandment and Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” each have six nominations. Sarah Lancashire’s leading actress nomination for “Happy Valley” could see...

The Crown’s swansong season has dominated the BAFTA TV nominations, picking up eight in a record year for Netflix.

Although it missed out in the coveted Drama Series category, four of the Netflix royal smash’s actors were handed nods today including Dominic West, who played Prince Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki, who was Princess Diana. Salim Daw and Lesley Manville are the other two nominated actors and actresses, while The Crown also received nominations in the likes of costume design, make up and sound.

Netflix achieved a record haul and was second only to the BBC with nominations, comfortably eclipsing stalwarts ITV and Channel 4 as Top Boy and Black Mirror were also rewarded.

Although not its most critically-rated season, Peter Morgan’s royal saga ended late last year with a bang and plenty controversy, and the noms come amid the ongoing Kate Middleton saga.

Elsewhere, Black Mirror has...

Disney+ unveiled new originals out of France, Germany and Spain at Series Mania, with period drama and a pair of true crime projects added to a 70-part Spanish novella that will be stripped through the week.

Episodes of Spanish series Return to Las Sabinas will drop Monday to Friday across its run. The daily drama hails from Banijay prodco Diagonal TV.

Sofia Fabregas, VP of Original Production, Spain, took to the stage at Series Mania here in Lille, France, to announce a true crime documentary project, Lucrecia: A Murder In Madrid, at a Disney+ showcase. The doc will explore the racist 1992 murder of Lucrecia Pérezs in a Madrid night club. Justin Webster (El Pionero) is the co-writer and executive producer alongside Sumpta Ayuso (The Madrid Connection).

Kevin Deysson, Disney’s Director of Original Programs for France, announced a new series from Itinéraire productions, which made the BAFTA-nominated French Original Oussekine for the subscription streaming platform.

Take a look at new footage from the “Renegade Nell” supernatural, live-action series, created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Ben Taylor, set in the 18th century, streaming March 29, 2024 on Disney+:

“…’Nell Jackson’, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder…

‘…and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England.

‘But when a spirit called ‘Billy Blind’ appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined…”

Click the images to enlarge...

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Disney+’s official trailer for Renegade Nell shows the titular character in action, taking on all comers and warning everyone never to call her Nelly. Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) stars as Nell in the action-adventure fantasy series premiering on the streaming service on March 29, 2024.

The cast also includes Frank Dillane as Charles Devereux, Alice Kremelberg as Sofia Wilmot, Ényì Okoronkwo as Rasselas, Jake Dunn as Thomas Blancheford, Bo Bragason as Roxy Trotter, and Florence Keen as George Trotter. Nick Mohammed plays Billy Blind, Joely Richardson is Lady Eularia Moggerhangar, Adrian Lester is Robert Hennessey, Pip Torrens is Lord Blancheford, and Craig Parkinson is Sam Trotter.

Ényì Okoronkwo as Rasselas and Louisa Harland as Nell Jackson in ‘Renegade Nell’

“Nell Jackson, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England,” reads Disney+’s synopsis. “But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind appears,...

Disney+ released the official trailer for the upcoming Original series ‘Renegade Nell’. All episodes of will be available to stream on March 29, 2024, exclusively on Disney+.

In this latest look at the action-adventure fantasy series, Nell Jackson, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England. But when a magical spirit called Billy Blind appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined.

The series stars Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) in the leading role of “Nell Jackson” with Frank Dillane as “Charles Devereux”, Alice Kremelberg as “Sofia Wilmot”, Ényì Okoronkwo as “Rasselas”, Jake Dunn as “Thomas Blancheford”, Bo Bragason as “Roxy Trotter”, Florence Keen as “George Trotter”, with Nick Mohammed as “Billy Blind”, Joely Richardson as “Lady Eularia Moggerhangar” and Adrian Lester as “Robert Hennessey, Earl of Poynton”. Pip Torrens as “Lord Blancheford” and Craig Parkinson as “Sam Trotter” also star.

"She fights as though she's possessed." Disney+ has revealed an official trailer for an entertaining adventure comedy series called Renegade Nell, created by English TV creator Sally Wainwright, inspired by a true story. Of course. This cracking new series will be streaming on Disney+ worldwide starting at the end of March for everyone to enjoy. A quick-witted and courageous young woman framed for murder unexpectedly becomes the most notorious "highwayman" outlaw in 18th-century England. When a magical spirit called Billy appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. So – a bit of a superhero story, too? Renegade Nell (formerly The Ballad of Renegade Nell) is a British historical adventure series produced by The Lookout Point. Starring Louisa Harland as Nell Jackson, Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed, Craig Parkinson, Florence Keen, Frank Dillane, Alice Kremelberg, Jake Dunn, and Pip Torrens as Lord Blancheford. This actually looks pretty cool!

‘Camomile Lawn’ Novelist’s Estate Snapped Up By Ilp

International Literary Properties has acquired the estate of British The Camomile Lawn novelist Mary Wesley. Channel 4’s adaptation of The Camomile Lawn is Channel 4’s second most successful drama series of all time, according to Ilp, and the deal will see Ilp manage the rights to Wesley’s work. Having famously published her first novel aged 70, she also wrote the likes of Jumping the Queue, Harnessing Peacocks and The Vacillations of Poppy Carew, all of which have previously been adapted for film and TV. “Mary was an incredible woman, an extraordinary author and a very close member of my family,” said Wesley’s daughter in law, the author Xinran Xue. Deadline revealed last year that Ilp, which holds rights to the literary estates of Langston Hughes and Evelyn Waugh, had headed on a West Coast charm offensive and snapped up the estate of Somerset Maugham.

Spring is now only a few weeks away, and this March at Disney+, a red rose is growing up out of ice frozen ground!

Probably the biggest title on the House of Mouse streamer’s calendar this month is the exclusive streaming premiere of “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version),” the ground-breaking and record-setting concert film tracking Swift’s Eras Tour. The new “(Taylor’s Version)” edit will feature the concert film in its entirety for the first time, plus the song “cardigan” and four additional acoustic songs.

Also premiering this month, “X-Men: The Animated Series” gets a long overdue revival with the new animated series “X-Men '97,” featuring the returns of original cast members Ray Chase, Alison Sealy-Smith, Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, and more. Plus, the British historical adventure “Renegade Nell” finally gets its series premiere at the end of the month.

Get ready for...

Exclusive: Rebel Moon star Staz Nair is replacing Sacha Dhawan as lead of upcoming Bradford-set BBC crime thriller Virdee.

Doctor Who star Dhawan has dropped out due to scheduling issues, Deadline is told, and will be replaced in the Harry Virdee role by the actor who has also appeared in Game of Thrones and Supergirl.

The adaptation of AA Dhand’s thriller, which Dhand is penning, has unveiled full cast including Aysha Kala (Criminal Record, Indian Summers) as Saima Virdee, Harry’s wife, Nina Singh (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) as Tara Virdee, Harry’s niece and a keen crime reporter, with Vikash Bhai (Crossfire, Limbo) playing Harry’s brother-in-law Riaz Hyatt. Kulvinder Ghir (Foundation, Blinded By The Light) and Sudha Bhuchar (Expats, Rules of the Game) will play Harry Virdee’s parents, Ranjit and Jyoti. Other cast include Elizabeth Berrington (Good Omens), Danyal Ismail (All the Lights Still...

“Renegade Nell” is a new supernatural, live-action series, created by Sally Wainwright and directed by Ben Taylor, set in the 18th century, streaming March 29, 2024 on Disney+:

“…’Nell Jackson’, a quick-witted and courageous young woman, finds herself framed for murder…

‘…and unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England.

‘But when a spirit called ‘Billy Blind’ appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined…”

Click the images to enlarge...

2...

Welcome to Deadline’s London TV Screenings list, our definitive look at next week’s buzzy event taking Soho by storm. If you’re wondering who’s exhibiting, what’s on offer and want to dive deeper into the distribs’ strategy, we’ve done the hard work for you, presenting profiles from nearly 30 exhibiting sales houses. Below, check out profiles for the companies headed over from the States and other nations around the globe. Read on, and find all our London TV Screenings content throughout the week here.

The North Americans

Disney

Key shows

Renegade Nell

Renegade Nell – Sally Wainwright-penned historical drama about a woman framed for murder who becomes a highwayman in eighteenth-century England.

Kaiser Karl (working title) – Gaumont show about the enigmatic and larger-than-life fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.

The Long Shadows (working title) – Spanish story of a group of women whose stable, successful lives are suddenly shaken...

Louisa Harland stars in Disney+’s newest young adult series. Here’s the new trailer for Renegade Nell, which is streaming in March.

“If you haven’t heard of Nell Jackson, then you’re the only person in England who hasn’t.”

These are the words spoken to us by Joely Richardson’s Lady Eularia Moggerhangar in the brand new trailer for Renegade Nell, which is set to stream on Disney+ next month.

Go on then, take a look at the trailer yourself.

The large ensemble cast also includes Louisa Harland as the titular character, Nick Mohammed as magical spirit Billy Blind, Frank Dillane as Charles Devereux, Richardson as Moggerhangar, Alice Kremelberg as Sofia Wilmot, Ényì Okoronkwo as Rasselas and Jake Dunn as Thomas Blancheford.

Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright is acting as series creator and has penned all episodes while Sex Education’s Ben Parker is the lead director.