Paramount+ has announced brand new thriller Baby Doll, based on a “twisted” bestselling book, and starring TV favourite Jill Halfpenny – here’s everything you need to know.

Following on from this year’s Little Disasters, and The Crow Girl, Baby Doll is set to be a compelling psychological drama about a child abduction.

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 Baby Doll on Paramount+ about, who else is in the cast, when’s the start date, and how many episodes will it be? Here’s everything you need to know…

Alfie Allen joins the cast of Baby Doll on Paramount+ [Credit: Daemian Smith and Christine Suarez]

What is the plot?

Baby Doll [the series’ current working title] follows the story of twin sisters Lily and Abby. Their seemingly perfect lives are shattered when Lily is abducted from their quiet rural English town. The culprit? Their beloved local teacher Rick Hansen.

Tragically, Lily spends years of abuse in captivity, but eventually manages to escape. However, she discovers that freedom brings its own challenges…

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, Baby Doll is a gripping exploration of trauma, resilience, sisterhood, and the high cost of reclaiming one’s life.”

How many episodes is Baby Doll on 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.

Real life sisters Tallulah and Delphi Evans will play twins in the thriller [Credit: Michael Shelford/Faye Thomas]

Is it based on a book?

The six-parter is based on the novel by Hollie Overton. 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!

How can I watch it? When’s the start date?

Cast and crew have only just started filming Baby Doll, which means we’ll have a little wait for it to land on our screens. Paramount+ has not yet confirmed a start date,

However, we do know that, when ready, the series will be available exclusively on Paramount+ UK & Ireland as well as all other Paramount+ international territories.

Virdee star Vikash Bhai will play a pivotal role [Credit: Faye Thomas]

Who’s in the cast?

Jill Halfpenny leads the cast of Baby Doll on Paramount+. She’ll play Lily and Abby’s mum Eve. 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 Rick, Lily and Abby’s dad. 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.

Sis Delphi is a total newcomer to the screen.

Also joining the cast are Virdee‘s Vikash Bhai, Holby City’s Niamh Walsh, and This Town’s Levi Brown. Completing the ensemble cast are Coronation Street’s Victoria Ekanoye, Beyond Paradise‘s Holly Atkins, and Everything Now actor Kiran Krishnakumar.

Baby Doll on Paramount+ is ‘thrilling, emotionally rich storytelling’

Paramount+’s Deputy Chief Content Officer Sebastian Cardwell, who commissioned the series, said: “Baby Doll 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 Baby Doll 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.”

Read more: Inside the new Martin Compston thriller The Revenge Club on Paramount+, including episodes, start date, and cast

Baby Doll will be available exclusively on Paramount+ UK & Ireland in 2026.