Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Renegade Nell OK for kids? Is Renegade Nell safe for kids? Read the Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new Disney+ original series Renegade Nell 2024, starring Louisa Harland as Nell Jackson. No spoilers! #RenegadeNell #DisneyPlus May contain commissioned links.

Parents Guide Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids?

Make history or be history.

In yet another first for Disney+ original series – this platform is teaming up with Lookout Point to bring a BBC like historical fiction show to Pirates of the Caribbean fans. Promising action, adventure, fantasy, and drama – can this 18th century British series debut withstand a modern day audience?

Does a leading swashbuckling lady have room to make a grand entrance? Or will she be forgotten with the other history class lessons we sat through?

In this Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-14 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2024 Renegade Nell parents guide to the new Disney+ original show. A no-spoiler parent review of Renegade Nell 2024, does this female driven historical fiction show making history or being history?

The Visuals

Visually Renegade Nell offers period piece feels with believable backdrops dynamic costuming and a swashbuckling Pirate feel. While the camera movements and effects aren’t overly impressive – the CGI and fantasy thematic elements are realistic enough to come across as a well-developed thought out show.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, Renegade Nell has no scenes with dizzying and fast spinning camera movements that could be nausea inducing for some. No scenes of bright flashing or strobing lights of note.

The Story

Written by Sally Wainwright (“Happy Valley“) and directed by Ben Taylor (“Sex Education”), Amanda Brotchie (“Gentleman Jack“), and MJ Delaney (“Ted Lasso“) comes an all-new 2024 action/adventure fantasy Disney+ original series – Renegade Nell. The cast stars Louisa Harland (“Derry Girls“) as notorious outlaw Nell Jackson along with Nick Mohammed (“Ted Lasso”) as Billy Blind, Frank Dillane (“Fear the Walking Dead“) as Charles Devereaux, Adrian Lester (“The Day After Tomorrow“) as the Earl of Poynton, Alice Kremelberg (“Orange is the New Black“) as Sofia Wilmot, Jake Dunn (“Get Even“) as Thomas Wilmot, Joely Richardson (“Nip/Tuck“) as Lady Eularia Moggerhanger, Pip Torrens (“The Crown“) as Lord Blancheford, and Enyi Okoronkwo (“The Lazarus Project“) as Rasselas along with newcomers Bo Bragason and Florence Keen as Nell’s sisters Roxy and George.

Inspired by a true story set this television mini series attempts to rewrite history with Nell Jackson, a quick-witted and courageous young woman who gets 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. Full of action, adventure, fantasy, drama, and a little bit of historical fiction in each episode – Renegade Nell sets off on a supernatural quest to clear her family’s name – and perhaps save the world.

Featuring swashbuckling violence, heroic action, and magic, Renegade Nell attempts to rewrite history with a dose of strong female ‘Pirates of the Caribbean‘ like heroism. The action and adventure keeps moving every episode, with relatable character qualities and exciting original plotline with a twist on the classic period tropes (yay for diverse character representation!) while also educating the audience on some of the lesser well-known European history (including war with France, the Jacobites, and slavery in England). Renegade Nell doesn’t take itself too seriously, with enough humor, scrapes, and convincing villains to keep the story rolling.

But the introduction of dark and almost demonic magic, deeply accented English dialogue, and dry historical content feels like a complete departure from the usual Disney Channel-esque kind of series. The real question is – is Renegade Nell a show for kids?

Renegade Nell TV-14 Rating Explained

Is Renegade Nell safe for kids? A Disney+ original television series rated TV-14? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option to help guide parents.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Renegade Nell rated TV-14? In this Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids?, this 2024 Renegade Nell Disney+ original series is rated TV-14 for “graphic violence.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Renegade Nell is kid friendly. Is Renegade Nell too violent for kids? Is Renegade Nell for kids? Let’s breakdown that TV-14 age rating in this Renegade Nell parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. Renegade Nell is a historical action/adventure/fantasy/drama that definitely checks all of the boxes in the violence and suspense category. Expect lots of fist fighting and hand-to-hand combat (including supernatural fantasy fighting), kill shots (with pistols and rifles), deaths and inferred deaths (including animals and humans), kidnapping, imprisonment, bound and gagged characters, and a variety of period type of weapons including guns, axes, knives and swords. Multiple discussions about being ‘hanged.’ None actually shown.

The dark magic and fantasy elements include CGI monster/supernatural creature villains, skeletons, chanted spells and intense demonic-like auras including possession, creepy eyes, and enhanced sounds. These can be easily compared to dark fantasy thematic elements of Lord of the Rings or Willow.

Blood and gore are actually a lot more visible than I expected for this type of show, including open gunshot wounds, facial cuts, scrapes, bloody noses, bruising, bloodshot eyes, blood pools, and multiple episodes with uncomfortable blood curdling screams to reflect pain and torture.

Adult Themes. There is a moderate amount of alcohol consumption in Renegade Nell – including liquor, beer, and wine consumption – mostly on par with the period. Pub and tavern scenes are common and scenes of a man stumbling drunk occurs. However, there are a couple of scenes where a child is given and drinks from a bottle of alcohol. There are also scenes of pipe smoking in various episodes – including one scene of our hero in episode 2. There are verbal and visual references to playing cards and gambling tables. No one is seen actually playing.

As stated above dark magic and fantasy thematic elements occur throughout each episode. Some scenes can be intense with spell conjuring/chanting, spiritual and astral symbolism, and villainous qualities much deeper than a Hocus Pocus level – more on par with Lord of the Rings or Willow. Religious and devil/demon references are made as well.

Only two toilet humor references in the entire series. One very tame verbal “doing the necessary” with bathroom inference implied and one verbal reference to “diarrhea.”

Does Renegade Nell have sexual innuendo? In an unexpected twist on this Disney+ original series, I had to do some research on 18th century English slang…and it definitely wasn’t all clean. Sexual content in Renegade Nell includes a kiss on the lips between two female characters (episode 6), a man kissing a woman’s hand, hugging, flirting, and sexy, revealing outfits with focus on a woman’s cleavage. No nudity or sex scenes. However there is one episode of a pregnant lady giving birth – including visuals of water dripping down a lady’s legs and screaming while giving birth (nothing shown).

Sexual innuendo verbal references to old English slang words including “trollops,” “bottom cheeks hanging out,” a “dog’s tallywacker,” calling a woman a “strumpet,” “totty,” and a “wench,” verbal references to “he’s got the hots” and “he once put his hand up a friend’s sister’s skirt.” Overall, light on adult content and most of these words could go over the heads of kids – but Renegade Nell is dirtier than expected for this period piece show.

Language. Does Renegade Nell have language? While not disclosed, there are some choice words parents should be aware of. Foul language phrases and swear words include: 2 “d@mn,” 3 “H-E-double-hockey-sticks.”

Milder bad language phrases and insults in Renegade Nell include: “trollops,” “strumpet,” “totty,” “wench,” “bunghole,” “tallywacker,” “sod,” “bloody,” “blasted,” “dung,” “stupid,” “farts,” “buttocks,” “weird,” “idiot,” “scum,” “stupid,” “dumb,” “shut up,” “oh gosh,” “Lordy,” “g-d,” “oh g-d,” and “oh my g-d.”

Renegade Nell Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

Don’t call her Nelly. But don’t call her a foundational Disney+ character either.

It’s Pirates of the Caribbean meets a tame Bridgerton (as in very, very tame). Swashbuckling magic and a strong female heroine – Nell Jackson is a refreshing period piece taking a stab at female stereotypes. My only question is – who is the audience here? Renegade Nell is too tame for Bridgerton fans and less intriguing than Pirates of the Caribbean lovers. And without a recognizable lead – folks would either have to be established Happy Valley/Ted Lasso fans or stumble upon this series.

If aiming for the older teen crowd – this show may easily lose them at the heavy English accents and historical content. If aiming for adults, it also may be a hard sell unless you like historical fiction. Don’t get me wrong – Renegade Nell is binge-able and I enjoyed watching (as a historical fiction fan). But I can’t see this series going anywhere past the one season.

Renegade Nell is making history as far as Disney+ range of offerings. But does anyone care?

Follow Renegade Nell on social media:

• Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/renegade-nell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlus/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyplus
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyplus/
• #RenegadeNell

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Renegade Nell, the all episodes of season 1 of the all-new 2024 Renegade Nell Disney Plus original mini series is streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting Friday March 29, 2024. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the all-new Disney+ television series Renegade Nell 2024 in exchange for this Renegade Nell Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney+. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie reviews, television updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment, and behind-the-scenes info!