Episode 1 of Renegade Nell opens in the year 1705, with a scene of highwaymen ambushing a carriage and ruthlessly seizing the passengers' belongings. Among them, they stumble upon a youthful figure dressed in men's attire - Nell Jackson. When their leader menacingly demands her gold ring, Nell counters with a startling display of seemingly supernatural strength.
With lightning-fast reflexes, she brushes aside bullets with her bare hand and effortlessly dispatches the other men. As the dust clears, a small, golden object flies out of her mouth, a mysterious remnant of her battle. Without another word, Nell strides away, leaving the highwaymen dazed and defeated.
Returning to her hometown of Tottenham, Nell enters a bustling tavern, where she confronts the barman - her father, Sam Totter. She reveals that her husband has perished, and she finds herself in need of a place to stay. Her reunion with her sisters, Roxanne and George, is filled with joy and amazement as they had all believed her to have perished in battle alongside her husband.
However, the jubilation is soon interrupted by news of a troublemaker named Thomas Blancheford, who has been causing a stir in the town yet remains unchallenged. It seems he has also set his sights on Roxy, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense atmosphere.
In a more affluent section of the town, Thomas enters his stately home. His father, the magistrate, scolds him for shooting a horse in the village, a reckless act that has earned Thomas a rebuke. Until Thomas learns to behave, Lord Blancheford vows to withhold his son's allowance, a harsh punishment for his wayward son.
Sam, Nell's father, is initially angry with her for her scathing remarks about the town before her departure. However, their love for each other prevails, and they eventually reconcile. Later, Sam throws a festive party to celebrate his daughter's return. As Nell and her sisters dress for the occasion, Thomas arrives, seeking Roxy. But it is Nell who confronts him, standing her ground against his bullish advances.
As anticipated, he launched into a furious assault on Nell. Suddenly, a speck of golden light penetrated Nell's mouth, granting her the strength to retaliate. Once Thomas finally lowered his gaze, the light fleetingly exited Nell's body. Roxy noticed the fleeting change, but the jubilation of the others remained unaffected.
In the dead of night, Nell was awoken by a diminutive, winged figure. It transpired that he was the source of the light that empowered her. He introduced himself as Billy Blind and cautioned Nell that his role was solely to safeguard her, not to engage in indiscriminate violence. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of George, causing Billy to vanish.
The following day, Thomas convened with a man who held the esteemed title of Earl of Poynton. Thomas confessed his indebtedness, admitting that he was unable to meet his financial obligations. He recalled Poynton's tantalizing tales of selling one's soul to the darkness in exchange for the fulfillment of desires.
Two weeks later, Nell found herself bored and restless. She resolved to join the queen's army, her family urging her to send letters home this time. Meanwhile, a knock sounded at Sam's door. It was Thomas. Shortly after, a cart carrying a body arrived in front of their house. Roxy's heart sank as she recognized her father's lifeless form. She was informed that he had been shot for stealing. Elsewhere, Lord Blancheford shielded Thomas from the truth, yet berated him for his actions. He and his cronies claimed that they had not intended to kill Sam.
A messenger from Blancheford's staff unexpectedly arrives at Sam's humble abode, bearing a revelation that shatters the silence. His name is Mr. Rasselas, and his words carry the weight of truth. Meanwhile, Roxy embarks on a quest to find Nell, unaware of the events that await her sister.
Nell, her heart set on joining the army, is met with a cruel rejection. But fate intervenes in an unexpected turn, as she stumbles upon a nobleman named Charles Devereaux. Instantly, recognition ignites in her eyes as she realizes he is none other than Isambard Tully, the highwayman she had encountered in the opening scene.
Over a shared meal, Devereaux, now revealed as Tully, offers Nell counsel, urging her to seek a new life in America. But before she can digest his words, a commotion interrupts their quiet moment. Roxy, George, and Rasselas arrive, bearing the truth that Nell has been seeking. Without hesitation, she rushes to avenge her father's death.
Elsewhere, Thomas confesses to Poynton his dark secret - the murder of a man. Poynton's response is chilling, hinting that Thomas might have killed the wrong victim and suggesting that murdering his father would expedite his inheritance of the estate.
Nell, her heart heavy with grief and anger, examines her father's lifeless body. Her experience in dressing wounds gives her a keen insight - he was shot while already dead. Fueled by rage, she is poised to take revenge, but Billy intervenes, his voice a calming balm in the midst of her storm. He warns her against rash actions, urging her to seek justice through the magistrate.
Taking his advice to heart, Nell gathers her siblings and confronts Lord Blancheford. But he remains unwavering in his lies, his facade as strong as ever. When Nell persists, he offers a tantalizing deal - the tenancy of the Talbot, their home and livelihood, in exchange for silence.
The sisters discuss the offer on their way back, weighing the cost of truth against the security of their father's legacy. In the end, they agree to accept the tenancy, a bittersweet compromise that allows them to hold onto a piece of their past while moving forward into an uncertain future.
A man named Halliday also has his eyes set on the Talbot estate, and Thomas eagerly urges for action, advising Lord Blancheford that it would be better if the girls were kept out of sight. As dawn breaks, the sisters receive a stark two-week eviction notice. Nell arrives at the Blancheford estate on horseback, storming in with determination. She holds Thomas at gunpoint, leaving Lord Blancheford with a difficult choice. Finally, Lord Blancheford decides that his son must face justice.
Nell reluctantly lowers her gun, but Thomas quickly draws his own and, unexpectedly, shoots his father. He shifts the blame to Nell, and the estate's staff members turn against her. Even Sofia, Thomas's sister, joins in the lie. Rasselas, however, remains steadfast in his belief of Nell's innocence. In the end of Renegade Nell Episode 1, Nell and Rasselas gather Roxy and George, and they all flee, beginning their journey on the run.
