The Ballad of Renegade Nell: New Sally Wainwright drama to follow Happy Valley

Happy Valley fans may be dreading the arrival of the series finale on Sunday. But, fear not, as another Sally Wainwright TV drama is in the works.

Say goodbye to present-day Yorkshire and hello to 18th-century England: The Ballad of Renegade Nell is an upcoming Disney Plus drama, written by Wainwright and directed by Amanda Brotchie (Gentleman Jack), MJ Delaney (Ted Lasso) and Ben Taylor (Sex Education).

It’s based around the “quick-witted and courageous” Nell Jackson, played by Derry Girls star Louisa Harland, who has been framed for murder and finds herself becoming 18th century England’s most notorious highwaywoman.

With the help of her sisters, played by newcomers Bo Bragason and Florence Keen, plus a spirit called Billy Blind, played by Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Nell realises that “fate has put her on the wrong side of the law for a reason much bigger than she could’ve ever imagined”.

Also featuring in the series is Adrian Lester (Trigger Point, Mary Queen of Scots), Alice Kremelberg (The Sinner), Frank Dillane (The Essex Serpent, Fear the Walking Dead), and Craig Parkinson (Line of Duty, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch).

Completing the cast are Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck), Pip Torrens (The Crown, Poldark), Jake Dunn (Get Even) and Enyi Okoronkwo (The Lazarus Project, Giri/Haji).

Although an official release date has yet to be confirmed, Wainwright fans won’t have to mourn the end of Happy Valley for too long, as The Ballad of Renegade Nell is set to be released some time this year.

The series has been in the works for a while: it was first confirmed in April 2021, with the cast announced in August 2022.

Writer and executive producer Sally Wainwright said: “I can’t wait to bring swashbuckling highwaywoman Nell Jackson to the screen” in a statement for Lookout Point.

“Nell’s a ball of irreverent, blustering energy, fighting against the privileged gatekeepers of English society in 1705, battling to contain mysterious forces within her and her enemies as she goes on the run with her two sisters.

“It’s a thrill once again to work with Faith Penhale and the super-talented team at Lookout Point.”

She added: “I’m so excited to partner with Disney Plus for this series, with their supportive approach and magnificent commitment to bringing this three-hundred-year-old story to the biggest possible global audience.”