WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Stolen Girl.
The Stolen Girl is gearing up to grip audiences on Disney+, featuring a stellar cast that’s set to bring this edge-of-your-seat thriller to life.
Nine-year-old Lucia, after befriending Josie, excitedly asks her mother Elisa (portrayed by Denise Gough) if she can have her first sleepover at Josie’s place.
Elisa, played by Denise Gough, is initially reluctant but is swayed after meeting Josie’s mum Rebecca (Holliday Grainger) and being impressed by their beautiful home, so she agrees to the sleepover, much to Lucia’s joy.
But the plot thickens when Elisa and her husband Fred (Jim Sturgess) arrive to collect Lucia the following day, only to find the house empty and the cleaner informing them that “no one lives here”.
The burning question remains: Why has Rebecca taken Elisa’s daughter, and will Elisa and Lucia ever be together again?
As we eagerly await the premiere of this Hulu drama, let’s dive into the details about the cast.
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Elisa is plunged into terror when Lucia disappears after she consented to the sleepover at her friend Josie’s house.
As she frantically searches for her missing child, “long-buried secrets and truths” begin to surface.
Denise Gough is renowned for her performances in Stella, Cuffs, Apple Tree Yard, Paula, Too Close, Under The Banner of Heaven, and Netflix’s Who Is Erin Carter?
Missing people are falling through the gaps, experiencing serious harm while they are away, with little or no support to help address the reasons why they left. They need help, so they don’t go missing again.
A dedicated strategy led by the Home Office, Department for Education, and Department for Health and Social Care would provide the proper attention and resources.
Without this, thousands will continue to go missing without support. and, when they return, there will be no meaningful opportunity to speak to anyone about why they left, or what happened while they were away. This leaves vulnerable people, who are often in crisis, with no support.
Life is never hopeless. Everyone should know that someone cares, and that help is available from organisations such as the charity Missing People.
The Mirror is calling for:
• The publication of a new missing children and adults strategy to ensure police, health and social care play their part
• Investment in prevention for those at most risk of going missing
• Support to be offered to every missing child and adult on their return
You can help by signing our petition here.
Rebecca, portrayed by Holliday Grainger, is Josie’s mother. She exudes charm upon her first encounter with Elisa, convincing her to let Lucia stay over.
Every parent’s deepest fears are confirmed when Rebecca takes the young girl, but as details emerge, viewers on Disney+ may start to question if her actions were justifiable.
Holliday Grainger, known for her role as Robin Ellacott in the series Strike, graces the screen with her talent.
She’s also famed for portraying DCI Rachel Carey in BBC’s The Capture, playing Anastacia in the 2015 Disney version of Cinderella, and appearing as Red Hair in Robert Pattinson’s upcoming movie Mickey 17.
Fred, along with his wife Elisa, becomes entwined in controversy as secrets spill out during the police investigation into their daughter’s vanishing.
Jim Sturgess wowed audiences as Dexter in the tender romance One Day back in 2011, featuring alongside Anne Hathaway, who played Emma.
Sturgess has shone in several other projects including Home Before Dark, Hard Sun, Feed the Beast, Cloud Atlas, and Apartment 7A.
Ambika Mod steps into the shoes of Selma Desai, an inquisitive journalist from Dash Voice who takes it upon herself to dig deeper into the abduction case when the police fail to prioritise it.
Mod has previously impressed as Una Finch in Billie Piper’s I Hate Suzie, depicted Shruti in This Is Going To Hurt, and was featured as Emma in the Netflix reimagining of One Day.
DI Shona Sinclair is one of the leading detectives delving into Lucia’s mysterious disappearance, adding a more “sobering” perspective on the unfolding events.
Irish actress Bronagh Waugh graced our screens as Cheryl Brady in Hollyoaks for a solid four years and captured audiences as Sally Ann Spector opposite Jamie Dornan in the Netflix hit series The Fall.
Gaining ground in the acting world, Layo-Christina Akinlude has impressed with roles in productions like Falling Into Place and The End of the F*****g World. Fans of Grime Kids and Kaos will also recognize her talents.
In The Stolen Girl, she steps into the shoes of DS Lizzie Walker, DI Sinclair’s partner, as they delve into the mysterious disappearance of Lucia.
Missing people: Facts and Myths
Every year, 170,000 people vanish in the UK – that’s one person every 90 seconds. Fortunately, most return home within a few days, often without the need for a public appeal.
For adults over 18, going missing isn’t illegal, but the police will want to ensure their safety. If there are concerns for their welfare, a public appeal might be launched. Importantly, you don’t need to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. If their absence is unusual, contact the police immediately. Any child who goes missing will be looked for by police though they are not often given public facing appeals.
How the Missing People charity Supports Families
Missing People works closely with the police to amplify missing appeals and provide vital support to families. They offer practical help in searches and emotional support to those affected. If you need assistance or want to see your loved one’s appeal on the Missed map, call their Helpline on 116 000. It’s free, confidential and non-judgemental. They are also there to listen if you are thinking of disappearing or have already left.
The Role of Public Appeals
Not all missing cases are made public. In situations involving domestic abuse or severe mental health issues, publicity might do more harm than good. That is one reason why you will only see a fraction of missing cases on the Missed map.
When sharing appeals, it’s crucial to use the official channels from the Missing People website or via the share button on the Missed map. This ensures that once the person is found, all traces of the appeal are removed, respecting their privacy. The Mirror is committed to removing digital footprints of shared appeals, ensuring the missing person’s right to be forgotten is upheld.
By sharing official appeals, you help protect the privacy and dignity of those who have been found.
Michael Workeye isn’t new to the spotlight, having appeared in This Is Going To Hurt and Sitting In Limbo, as well as grabbing attention in My Lady Jane.
He’s now set to shine in the second episode of Black Mirror season seven, Bete Noire, playing Maria’s boyfriend Kae.
Portraying Kaleb Negasi, Workeye brings to life Selma’s “exasperated editor”, who desperately wants her to ditch the abduction case in favour of other stories.
The Stolen Girl premieres on Wednesday, April 16, on Disney+.
• The Mirror is using its platform to launch Missed – a campaign to shine a light on underrepresented public-facing missing persons in the UK via a live interactive map, in collaboration with Missing People Charity. Because every missing person, no matter their background or circumstances, is someone’s loved one. And they are always Missed.
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