Sally Wainwright is having fun. The screenwriter to whom we owe the dark thriller “Happy Valley”, which had three masterful seasons available on MyCanal, is changing universe. With “Nell Rebel”, the eight parts of which are put online on Disney + this Friday, March 29, she initially seems to be diving back into historical fiction.
A genre that the director explored brilliantly during the two seasons of “Gentleman Jack” (on the Warner Pass, a paid option for Prime Video subscription). Moreover, the new heroine, Nell Jackson, played by Louisa Harland, is an androgynous figure who resonates with Anne Lister, the central character of “Gentleman Jack” to whom Suranne Jones lent her features.
Become a bandit to survive
Very quickly, “Nell Rebel” asserts its difference by incorporating a fantastic ingredient. The young woman at the center of the story, returning to her hometown in 1705 when she was believed to have been dead for five years, is accompanied by a little winged elf who gives her increased strength and incomparable speed in her movements. movements. Thanks to her strong determination and the help of this supernatural being called Billy Blind, Nell will trace her destiny to unsuspected greatness in 18th century England.
The problem is that the young woman is wrongly accused of murder and must become a highwayman to survive with her two young sisters on the run. She will also face powerful enemies who use black magic...
By mixing genres, Sally Wainwright delivers a joyful, action-packed story that will appeal to a wider audience than her previous creations. We enjoy the epic fight scenes, the well-felt humor, the colorful characters. The series even allows breaks in tone in certain episodes, here by turning into a romantic comedy, there with a musical comedy-style opening number.
A spicy, funny and moving series
If the result holds up, it is largely thanks to the performance of the main actress Louisa Harland. Revealed in the excellent comic fiction “Derry Girls”, available on Netflix, the thirty-year-old actress impresses in this new role, a thousand miles from the previous one. His charisma and energy permeate the entire production, even if it means overshadowing his acting partners including Frank Dillane, seen in “Fear The Walking Dead”. Facing her, Adrien Lester (“The Undeclared War”) proves that he is up to the task as a demonic manipulator, adept at dark forces. We also love Nick Mohammed, already great in “Ted Lasso”, who plays Billy Blind here.
The effervescent side of “Rebel Nell” is quite captivating and even if the scenario can sometimes be confusing, the entertainment takes over. It is therefore easy to get caught up in this spicy, funny and emotional new series.
Editor's note:
4/5
“Rebellious Nell”,
British series by Saly Wainwright (2024) with Louisa Harland, Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed… Eight episodes of 36 to 51 minutes each.