Disney+ Sets Scripted U.K. Originals

The Walt Disney Company EMEA has revealed its initial slate of scripted U.K. originals for Disney+, including projects with Sally Wainwright, Sally Woodward Gentle, Faith Penhale and Stephen Garrett.

Three U.K. productions have been confirmed for Disney+—one Disney-branded and two Star-branded originals—spanning a range of genres.

The Ballad of Renegade Nell is a Disney-branded swashbuckling adventure series set in the 18th century. Written by Sally Wainwright (Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley) and produced by Lookout Point (Gentleman Jack, A Suitable Boy), the show follows Nell Jackson, who is forced into a life of highway robbery after she’s framed for murder, along with her two orphaned sisters Roxanne and George. The series is executive produced by Wainwright, Penhale and Will Johnston from BBC Studios-backed Lookout Point.

The Star original commission Culprits is a dark and funny heist series from filmmaker J Blakeson (I Care A Lot, The Disappearance of Alice Creed). The show follows what happens after a heist, when the crew have gone their separate ways, but are being targeted by a killer one by one. It is executive produced by Stephen Garrett (The Undoing, The Night Manager) and produced by Morenike Williams (Killing Eve). Culprits is a Character 7 production.

Extraordinary is a Star original comedy series from new talent Emma Moran. It follows Jen, a young, self-aware woman who lives in a world where everyone has a superpower—except her. From Sid Gentle Films, the show is executive produced by Sally Woodward Gentle, Lee Morris (Killing Eve) and Charles Dawson.

Liam Keelan, VP of original content, commented: “These three outstanding titles represent exactly where we want to be with our commissioning strategy for Disney and Star—projects of scale, originality and with top talent attached. This is just the beginning of a concerted push to bring the best ideas and storytellers to the service, appealing to audiences both here in the U.K. and across the globe.”

Johanna Devereaux, director of scripted, added: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be working with these exceptional writers and producers. The Walt Disney Company is deeply committed to supporting diverse, ambitious storytelling from renowned creators and brand new voices, and we are thrilled to welcome Sally, J, Emma, and their outstanding producing teams to Disney+.”