Girl Taken has been described as ‘raw and emotionally charged’
Laura Way on the set of Girl Taken by Paramount+.
Laura Way on the set of Girl Taken by Paramount+.
Laura Way on the set of Girl Taken by Paramount+.
A six-part psychological thriller, streaming on Paramount+ and directed by Wexford woman Laura Way, has shot to global acclaim.
Girl Taken continues its strong run following its global release, remaining in the Paramount+ Top 10 worldwide. The series reached No 1 on the Paramount+ TV chart in the UK and was also No 1 in Ireland and Italy in the same week, before climbing to No 3 worldwide.
A standout feature of the production is its leadership behind the camera. Girl Taken is directed entirely by two female directors, with Wexford-born Irish director Laura Way serving as lead director across Episodes 1–4, and Bindu de Stoppani directing Episodes 5–6.
Based on Hollie Overton’s bestselling novel, Baby Doll, Girl Taken follows twin sisters Lily and Abby Riser after Lily is abducted by a trusted teacher and explores the enduring impact on the family and community. Paramount+ describes the series as “raw and emotionally charged.”
Laura Way on the set of Girl Taken by Paramount+.
The show has garnered critical response and performance-led acclaim. Reviewers have highlighted the series’ psychological focus and the strength of its cast. The Guardian awarded four stars (4/5), calling the series “a cut above the rest,” and praising Alfie Allen’s “fantastically restrained performance.” The Standard described Allen as playing Rick with a “staggering amount of concentrated malice,” adding: “It’s one of the performances of the year.” And the Times warned: “You will need a strong constitution” to get through the “chilling psychological drama.”
Speaking to the Wexford People, late last year for World Television Day, Laura said, “My parents [Michael and Irene] ran the Riff Raff Theatre Company in Wexford Town from 1982, and so I grew up as a circus kid. I was either sweeping the stage, or actually in the productions. Basically, I am unemployable to do anything else.
“I started as an extra, because it was the only way that I could see how a film or TV show was made. I would go onto sets as an extra and just watch. What I was doing was observing other actors and how brilliant they are. From there, I started developing a passion for the screen and moved away from the theatre.”
Her big break as a director came on Red Rock on Virgin Media Television. Since then, she says that she has had some amazing jobs.
“I am going to be clichéd and say that The Sopranos and The Wire was some of the best television ever made. Everybody says that. But let’s not forget MacGyver. My mother used to say that I was such a telly addict I would go blind.”
Girl Taken is available to stream now in all Paramount+ territories worldwide.