PARAMOUNT+ has released the first images from The Doll Factory, its new original drama series filmed in Ireland - including a first look at a character played by Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
Adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Elizabeth Macneal, The Doll Factory stars Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna) Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment), Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest) and George Webster (Wedding Season, Masters of the Air).
Filming finished earlier this year and a collection of 'first look' images have now been released showing the four leads, plus as-yet unidentified characters portrayed by Pippa Haywood, Sharlene Whyte, Reece Kenwyne-Mpudzi and Saoirse-Monica Jackson.
Set in London, 1851, the story follows Iris (Esmé Creed-Miles), who paints dolls for a living alongside her twin sister, Rose (Mirren Mack), and dreams of becoming an artist. By night, she secretly paints herself naked, honing her craft.
Meanwhile, Silas (Éanna Hardwicke) is a taxidermist who hopes to one day find an item so unique he will be catapulted to fame, and Louis (George Webster) is a painter and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, searching for his next muse.
In a city humming with anticipation for the Great Exhibition, their three worlds collide, and Iris is offered an opportunity to escape and start a new life. To do so, she must abandon her sister, sacrifice her reputation, and launch herself into the unknown.
As Iris’ world expands, she finds herself challenging patriarchal beliefs, exploring her sexuality, and starting to experience the things she has always dreamed of. But alongside her newfound independence, a story of dark obsession begins to unfold.
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The series also stars Laurie Kynaston (The Sandman), Jim Caesar (The Witcher), Akshay Khanna (Chloe), Aysha Kala (The Undeclared War) and Nell Hudson (Outlander).
Behind the scenes credits include Tony Wood, Anna Burns and Richard Tulk-Hart as executive producers for Buccaneer productions, Charley Miles as series screenwriter and executive producer, Sacha Polak (Hanna, Dirty God) as director, Cathy Brady (Wildfire, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope) as second director, Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders, Maigret) as series producer and Julie Harkin (I May Destroy You, Becoming Elizabeth) as casting Director.
While no exact release date has been announced, it is known that The Doll Factory will be coming to Paramount+ UK and Ireland "in late autumn".
