Girl Taken on Paramount+ is a 'dark psychological story full of twists and turns' based on the Hollie Overton novel
A sadist masquerades as a teacher in this new glossy thriller
Girl Taken is a “raw and emotionally charged” new thriller coming to Paramount+ soon, based on the novel Baby Doll by Hollie Overton.
Following on from this year’s Little Disasters, and The Crow Girl, Girl Taken promises to be a compelling psychological drama about a child abduction, and its traumatic aftermath.
And lead actress Jill Halfpenny is no stranger to an intense storyline, having starred in several Channel 5 thrillers over the past few years…
So what’s Girl Taken on Paramount+ about, who else is in the cast, when’s the start date, and how many episodes will it be? Here’s everything we know so far…
![Alfie Allen head shot [Credit: Daemian Smith and Christine Suarez]](https://cdn.tvguide.co.uk/uploads/2025/06/Alfieheadshot.jpg)
What is the plot of Girl Taken on Paramount+?
Girl Taken follows the story of twin sisters Lily and Abby. Their seemingly perfect lives are shattered when 17-year-old Lily is abducted from their quiet rural English town. The culprit? Their beloved local teacher Rick Hansen, a beloved pillar of the community.
Tragically, Lily spends years of abuse in captivity, but eventually manages to escape after five years. She returns as a grown woman with a horrifying tale of abuse and terror whilst locked in a cellar. However, she discovers that freedom brings its own challenges… And her nightmare is far from over.
A synopsis tells us: “The world she longed to return to has moved on without her. As Abby, Lily and their mother Eve struggle to rebuild their family, they must confront the lasting damage – as well as the terrifying reality that Rick is still out there. He is determined to control the narrative and evade justice.
“Raw and emotionally charged, Girl Taken is a gripping exploration of trauma, resilience, sisterhood, and the high cost of reclaiming one’s life. […] It’s a tense, provocative, and ultimately empowering story about two young women whose lives are irreparably changed by a terrible crime — and how they find the strength to move on. Crime stories don’t always end when the case is solved; this is an exploration of what comes next.”
‘This isn’t a fairy tale’
Paramount+ tells us: “Full of shock twists and thrilling suspense, Girl Taken is a story that honours the truth of people who have found themselves thrust into the deep end of just how dangerous this world can be. That kind of trauma doesn’t have a clear perimeter, it changes shape, sometimes taking on forms we could never have foreseen. We can’t just move on, escaping captivity is just the beginning…”
The continue: “This isn’t a fairy tale. Healing is messy, painful, and far from guaranteed. But, through the bond between two young women and their mother, the series reveals how strength can grow in even the most fractured spaces.”
![Real life sisters Tallulah Evans and Delphi Evans [Credit: Michael Shelford/Faye Thomas]](https://cdn.tvguide.co.uk/uploads/2025/06/Untitled-112.jpg)
How many episodes is Girl Taken Paramount+?
The new Paramount+ thriller is six parts. Each episode will be approximately an hour long.
We’re not yet sure if the series will drop as a boxset, or weekly episodes. But watch this space for more info.
Is it based on a book?
The six-parter is based on the novel Baby Doll by Hollie Overton. In fact, when the series was first announced, it had the working title Baby Doll. The thriller was a Sunday Times bestseller and a Richard and Judy Book Club Pick.
A description of the bestselling books says: “You’ve been held captive in one room. You’ve been mentally and physically abused every day since you were 16 years old. Then, one night, you realise your captor has left the door to your cell unlocked. For the first time in eight years you’re free. This is what happens next.”
The Daily Express called it a “compelling psychological thriller”, while Woman’s Own said it was “riveting from the first line”.
Meanwhile, Glamour said: “A gripping page-turner that will make you think about what it means to be free.”
The 400 page book was first published in 2016. The series has been adapted for screen by David Turpin (The Ex Wife, The Cuckoo), Suzanne Cowie (The Serial Killer’s Wife, The Good Ship Murder), and Nessah Muthy (The Ex Wife, Grantchester). So we know we’re in good hands!
![Vikash Bhai head shot [Credit: Faye Thomas]](https://cdn.tvguide.co.uk/uploads/2025/06/Untitled-113.jpg)
How can I watch it? When’s the start date?
Cast and crew started filming Girl Taken in 2025, and the start date is coming soon. We’re expecting it to land early in 2026.
When ready, the series will be available exclusively on Paramount+ UK & Ireland as well as all other Paramount+ international territories.
Who’s in the cast of Girl Taken Paramount+?
Jill Halfpenny leads the cast of Girl Taken on Paramount+. She’ll play Lily and Abby’s mum Eve Riser. Of course, Jill made her name in Byker Grove, Coronation Street, and EastEnders. More recently, she’s carved out a niche in C5 thrillers, including The Drowning, The Holiday, The Cuckoo, and The Feud.
Alfie Allen will portray “sadistic monster” Rick Hansen, Lily’s captor. He’s best known for playing the rather unfortunate Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, Jock Lewes in SAS Rogue Heroes, and Tobias Chapman in Safe Harbor.
Real life sisters Tallulah and Delphi Evans will take on the roles of Lily and Abby. Young actress Tallulah, 26, has already been on our screens for nearly 20 years. As well as multiple film roles, she played Jenny Walker in the TV series White Lines, Lucy Warner in The Full Monty, and Carrie Booth in an episode of Ellis.
Her sister Delphi is a total newcomer to the screen.
Also joining the cast are:
- Virdee‘s Vikash Bhai as Detective Sergeant Tommy Shah.
- Holby City’s Niamh Walsh as Zoe Hansen, Rick’s fiercely devoted wife.
- This Town’s Levi Brown as Wes Bartlett, Lily’s high school boyfriend.
- Coronation Street’s Victoria Ekanoye as DC Rachel Brenton.
- Beyond Paradise‘s Holly Atkins as prison guard Melanie.
- Everything Now actor Kiran Krishnakumar.
Girl Taken on Paramount+ is ‘thrilling, emotionally rich storytelling’
Paramount+’s Deputy Chief Content Officer Sebastian Cardwell, who commissioned the series, said: “Girl Taken is the kind of thrilling, emotionally rich storytelling we’re proud to champion on Paramount+ UK & Ireland. With a brilliant creative team and a gripping narrative at its heart, this series is set to be a standout addition to our original drama slate.”
On the announcement, Clapperboard’s Suzi McIntosh, Executive Producer, added: “We are hugely proud to be bringing Hollie Overton’s original, compelling and successful novel Girl Taken to screen.
“Its dark psychological storytelling, full of twists and turns, keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout. This is Clapperboard’s first global Paramount+ collaboration and we could not be more excited.”
