A new British psychological thriller has captivated audiences on Paramount+, with viewers describing it as 'terrifying' and praising a villain who 'makes their skin crawl'. 'Girl Taken', a six-part drama, landed exclusively on the streaming service on 8 January 2026.
A Harrowing Story of Kidnap and Escape
The series, developed by David Turpin, adapts Hollie Overton's novel Baby Doll. It follows the devastating ordeal of seventeen-year-old Lily, who is kidnapped by her teacher. The narrative explores the aftermath years later when she manages to escape, forcing her family to confront their deep-seated trauma in a desperate struggle to reclaim their lives.
The show boasts a strong creative team, with writing credits for David Turpin, Suzanne Cowie, and Nessa Muthy. Directorial duties were handled by Laura Way and Bindu de Stoppani.
Strong Performances Drive Critical Praise
The ensemble cast features Jill Halfpenny as Eve Riser and Alfie Allen as the kidnapper, Rick Hansen. The central role of Lily is played by Tallulah Evans, with Delphi Evans as her sister Abby. The supporting cast includes Vikash Bhai, Niamh Walsh, Levi Brown, Holly Atkins, Victoria Ekanoye, and Kiran Krishnakumar.
Early reception has been positive. The series currently holds an impressive 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a rating of 6.1/10 on IMDb, where fans have been sharing enthusiastic reviews.
'More of a psychological drama rather than a thriller but terrifying nonetheless,' wrote one viewer. 'Alfie Allen makes my blood crawl and the actress playing the girl taken is excellent too.'
Another praised its thoughtful approach: 'I loved the series... It's unsettling and thoughtful - intense but more reflective than formulaic.' Others highlighted the 'strong performances', particularly from Allen and the Evans twins, noting it was 'nice to see some new, young British talent emerging.'
Cast and Creators Reflect on the Drama's Intensity
Reflecting on the emotional weight of the story, actress Jill Halfpenny shared her perspective on the parents' plight: 'I remember watching the parents being interviewed and thinking "The fact that you can get out of bed... is blowing my mind," because I would probably spontaneously combust... It's the not knowing.' She added that such a situation forces people to turn to something, whether religion, distraction, or love, to cope.
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer for Paramount, stated: '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.'
The launch of 'Girl Taken' comes as streaming competition heats up, with Netflix also debuting the thriller His & Hers, starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, on the same day. However, 'Girl Taken' is available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.
