The Stolen Girl

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Beginning its run on Disney+ on April 16, 2025, the riveting new mystery miniseries titled “The Stolen Girl” is poised to captivate television audiences. Drawing inspiration from Alex Dahl’s 2020 novel, “Playdate”, this gripping tale revolves around Elisa Blix (Denise Gough), a mother residing in England. Her tranquil life takes a dramatic turn when her teenage daughter mysteriously disappears during an ordinary playdate. As Elisa embarks on a frantic search across Europe for her lost child, a relentless manhunt unfolds, spanning from England to France.

As a passionate admirer, let me share my excitement about “The Stolen Girl” – a captivating series that boasts an exceptional ensemble cast and offers five episodes that are perfect for a weekend binge-watch. If you’re eager to follow along with the enigmatic mystery thriller this season, here’s a rundown on where and how to catch it, as well as some insights into its source material, the talents behind the screen, critical acclaim, and why it’s worth diving deep into the central conundrum this Spring.

‘The Stolen Girl’s Release Schedule

Starting from 10 PM Eastern Time on April 16, 2025, all five episodes of “The Stolen Girl” will stream globally on Disney+. U.S. viewers can catch each episode the next day on Hulu. For those who prefer to watch one episode a week or don’t have a Disney/Hulu subscription, Freeform will broadcast new episodes every Wednesday at 10 PM ET each week.

Episode Disney+ Release Date Freeform Release Date
1 Apr. 16, 10 PM ET Apr. 16, 10 PM ET
2 Apr. 16, 10 PM ET Apr. 23, 10 PM ET
3 Apr. 16, 10 PM ET Apr. 30, 10 PM ET
4 Apr. 16, 10 PM ET May 7, 10 PM ET
5 Apr. 16, 10 PM ET May 14, 10 PM ET

What To Expect from ‘The Stolen Girl’

In the storyline of “Playdate, The Stolen Girl,” tension arises when Elisa Blix permits her young daughter, Lucia (Beatrice Cohen), to spend a night at her new friend, Josie Thibault’s (Robyn Betteridge), luxurious English manor. The following day, Elisa arrives to collect Lucia only to discover that she is nowhere to be found and the manor belongs to someone else unexpectedly. Elisa seeks explanations from Josie’s mother, Rebecca (Holliday Grainger), who harbors secrets of her own in this intricate narrative.

When Elisa discovers that her daughter Lucia has been abducted, she, along with her husband Fred (Jim Sturgess), and her mother Maria (Lisa Bowerman), embark on a global investigation spanning across Europe. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover evidence suggesting they might be involved in the kidnapping of their own child. This revelation compels them to defend their innocence, locate Lucia, and bring the perpetrator to justice in a court of law.

As Fred and Elisa travel, they meet Detective Inspector Shona Sinclair (Bronagh Waugh), Detective Sergeant Lizzie Walker (Layo-Christina Akinlude), psychic journalist Selma Desai (Ambika Mod), her supervisor Kaleb Negasi (Michael Workeye) and other crucial figures. These individuals are on the hunt for Lucia, and they keep a watchful eye on Lucia’s parents to confirm their innocence amid growing suspicions.

The intriguing premise of the show centers on the question of whether Lucia’s parents should lose custody of her and if it would be beneficial for her. As Fred and Elisa struggle to prove their innocence, doubts about their relationship with Lucia arise, leading one to wonder: Is Lucia more secure with her abductor or in her own home?

Why ‘The Stolen Girl’ Is the Best New TV Mystery

In “The Stolen Girl,” the focus isn’t on uncovering the identity of the criminal but rather understanding their motives for committing a crime. Unlike other mystery shows, which typically revolve around finding out who committed the initial crime, this series reveals who took Lucia from the start. As a result, the show delves deeper into the question of why the perpetrator chose to break the law, instead of concentrating on who is guilty or innocent. Disney’s description highlights this unique approach:

Amidst a swift, continent-wide search, Elisa and her spouse Fred are under intense investigation by authorities and the general public. The supposedly flawless image of their family starts to crack under the strain, revealing hidden truths that had been kept secret for years.

Rebecca abducted Lucia for some purpose. As the audience delves deeper into the complex lives of these women, the query about whether Rebecca’s actions were justifiable becomes increasingly relevant – and if perhaps it would be wiser for her to remain concealed.

In “The Stolen Girl,” the identity of Lucia’s abductor is revealed from the outset, deviating from typical mystery tropes by turning them upside down. Instead, the narrative uses flashbacks to delve into Rebecca’s intricate motivations rooted in her past connection with the Blix family, rather than focusing on the unmasking of the kidnapper towards the end.

In Lucia’s kidnapping storyline, complex issues such as hidden family violence, surrogacy, disputes between abduction and adoption, and societal class differences start to emerge, adding depth beyond a typical abduction whodunit plot. This is what sets this show apart from the crowd of predictable TV mysteries, where the identity of the culprit frequently overshadows the significance of their motives.

Beginning April 16 at 10 PM Eastern Time, all five episodes of “The Stolen Girl” can be streamed exclusively on Disney+. The following day, these episodes will also become available on Hulu, and new episodes will air weekly every Wednesday at 10 PM ET on Freeform.

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2025-04-16 23:32