Paramount+ is set to deliver one of the most gripping and emotionally charged thrillers of early 2026 with Girl Taken, a six-episode limited series premiering January 8. Adapted from Hollie Overton’s bestselling novel Baby Doll (2016), the series stars Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) as the chilling abductor Rick Hansen and Jill Halfpenny (EastEnders) as the resilient mother Eve, alongside real-life sisters Tallulah and Delphi Evans as the twin victims Lily and Abby. Created by Overton herself and directed by Julia Ford (Everything I Know About Love), Girl Taken plunges viewers into a quiet rural English town shattered by abduction, exploring the harrowing aftermath of escape and the terrifying reality that freedom doesn’t erase trauma. The intense, genuinely emotional trailer has already left fans breathless, promising a captivating series that balances suspense with raw human depth.
The story follows twin sisters Lily and Abby, whose idyllic childhood ends when Lily is abducted by beloved local teacher Rick Hansen. Held captive for years and subjected to abuse, Lily escapes—only to discover the world has moved on without her. As Abby, Lily, and their mother Eve struggle to rebuild their fractured family, they confront lasting damage and the chilling truth that Rick is still out there, manipulating the narrative and evading justice. Allen’s Rick is disturbingly charismatic—a trusted figure turned monster—while Halfpenny’s Eve embodies maternal fury and fragility. The Evans sisters, in their acting debut, deliver haunting authenticity as the twins, their real-life bond amplifying the heartbreak of separation and reunion.
Overton, a former Shadowhunters writer, crafts a narrative that’s less about the abduction and more about survival’s cost: PTSD, trust issues, and societal judgment. Ford’s direction—moody English countryside, claustrophobic captivity scenes—heightens the dread, with a score that shifts from lullabies to pulses of panic.
Early buzz is electric: “A thriller that breaks your heart and keeps you glued” (The Guardian). Fans rave: “The trailer alone wrecked me—January can’t come soon enough” (@DramaAddict, 80k likes).
Girl Taken isn’t just suspense—it’s a mirror to resilience. Stream January 8 on Paramount+; the nightmare begins.
