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TV & Showbiz

Trailer and first look images released of new TV drama series The Stolen Girl filmed in Manchester

We're gripped already.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 8th April 2025
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The trailer and first look images of a new TV drama series filmed in parts of Manchester have been released.

The Stolen Girl tells the story of mother-of-two Elisa Blix, played by Denise Gough, who allows her nine-year-old daughter Lucia to stay over at her new best friend Josie’s house… but the next day, when she goes to collect her, everyone has gone, and Elisa and her husband Fred’s, played by Jim Sturgess, world is turned upside down.

The five-part psychological drama, which also stars Manchester-born actress Holliday Grainger as Josie’s mum Rebecca Walsh, and One Day‘s Ambika Mod, who plays chaotically persistent journalist Selma Desai, will be available to stream next week on Disney+.

The first full length trailer, and a series of images showing the cast at work, have been released before the show hits our screens from next Wednesday (16 April).

The Stolen Girl
The Stolen Girl
First look images of the new Disney+ series The Stolen Girl / Credit: Disney+ UK

The gripping trailer takes us to the heart of suburbia, where life is not quite as tranquil as it first seems, as when Elisa and Fred’s daughter, Lucia, goes missing after what appears to be a normal sleepover with a school friend, the couple’s mundane existence spirals into chaos.

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Elisa is forced to embark on a high-stakes chase across Europe to discover the shocking truth about her daughter’s disappearance.

Exactly why did Rebecca Walsh take her daughter? Was Lucia a random target? What personal price will she have to pay to get her back? These are the questions Elisa grapples with as the series progresses, as the slowly unsettling truth emerges.

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Eventually, audiences see that what started as a textbook abduction, quickly evolves into something much darker.

Bronagh Waugh, Layo-Christina Akinlude, and Michael Workéyè also form part of the supporting cast.

Waugh stars as DI Shona Sinclair, and Akinlude takes on the role of DS Lizzie Walker, who are both the lead investigators looking into Lucia’s disappearance, while Workéyè plays Kaleb Negasi, who is Selma’s exasperated editor that wishes she would focus on anything other than this case.

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According to producers, much of The Stolen Girl has been filmed in and around Manchester, with additional scenes being filmed over in France.

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The Stolen Girl is airing on Disney+ from next Wednesday 16 April.

Featured Image – Disney+ UK

TV & Showbiz

Swordplay and rock ‘n’ roll: A Knight’s Tale comes to Manchester Opera House

Danny Jones Danny Jones A Knight's Tale Manchester musical review
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From the moment the curtain rises at Manchester Opera House, A Knight’s Tale bursts into life with exhilarating energy. This stage adaptation of the beloved 2001 film expertly blends medieval spectacle with a bold, modern twist.

Full of jousting tournaments, noble quests, and underdog triumphs, the production delivers both heart and high drama – all with a heady dose of rock ‘n’ roll.

At the centre of it all is William Thatcher, a young squire who dares to defy his lowly birth and enter the world of high-born knights. Played with charm and confidence by Andrew Coshan, William’s journey from peasant to jousting champion is rousing, if occasionally veering into heroic cliché.

Still, Coshan’s likability and natural charisma keep the audience cheering for him through every lance charge and dramatic monologue. The supporting cast also shines.

A Knight’s Tale the musical at Manchester Opera House. (Credit: Press Shot)

A standout is Eva Scott, whose comic timing and delivery consistently land laughs, often stealing scenes with her sharp one-liners.

Meanwhile, Meesha Turner brings elegance and spark to the role of Princess Jocelyn. Her powerful vocals during the show’s pop-classic ballads transform the character into a fiery, modern princess you can’t help but root for.

The production’s standout sequences are undoubtedly the jousts, theatrical set pieces that are an absolute masterclass in stagecraft. Using a clever combination of rigging, physical choreography, and dynamic sound design, the creative team conjures a truly immersive atmosphere.

Dramatic lighting and resonant sound effects make you feel the thud of hooves and the crash of lances. The cleverly designed set, featuring an arena-style jousting field, draws the audience into the action in a way that feels fresh and cinematic.

However, the show stumbles slightly in its quieter, more emotional scenes. The dialogue, while laced with humour, sometimes dips into melodrama. The villain, Count Adhemar, feels a touch underwritten, with motivations that don’t quite match the emotional weight the story strives for, but is still well-acted.

Don’t just take it from us: the A Knight’s Tale reviews from Manchester crowds are already very strong.

The stakes between him and William never fully build to the payoff they could – leaving certain dramatic beats a little flat. Musically, the show makes a bold departure from traditional scores. Instead, it leans into a soundtrack of classic rock anthems; think Queen, AC/DC, The Who and more.

At first, it seems like an odd match for a medieval tale, just as it did with the movie, but it works brilliantly. The music injects the show with rebellious energy and gives it a timeless quality. It’s loud, bold, and exactly what this high-octane tale of ambition and identity calls for.

A special mention must go to the ensemble and choreography. The jousting scenes are beautifully choreographed, blending acrobatics, dance, and swordplay with seamless precision. Even in quieter moments, the movement on stage supports the storytelling with subtle grace.

But the unexpected stars of the show? The horses. Designed with clever costume and movement illusions, they create the convincing effect of riders in full gallop – and at times, they very nearly steal the spotlight altogether.

Credit: Supplied

Though clearly aimed at adult audiences, with its cheeky humour and classic rock soundtrack, the show flirts with the spirit of panto, oversized characters, regional accents, and exaggerated physical comedy. And it works.

The regional dialects add warmth and levity, grounding the fantasy in a cheeky, very British sensibility.
In the end, A Knight’s Tale is a triumphant and entertaining spectacle, an electrifying mix of medieval mythology and modern musical theatre.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original film or seeing the story for the first time, this production offers a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt night out. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard not to be swept up in the clashing swords, galloping hooves, and power chords.

Put simply, this is a knight to remember – with a soundtrack that slays.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Eurovision 2025 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Eurovision 2025 stage
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The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester next month.

Following the success of the previous two years, initially starting back when the internationally renowned televised event was held on British soil in Liverpool in 2023, cinemas up and down the UK are, once again, set to come together to celebrate 2025’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.

The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 17 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.

Distributed by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.

People in the cinema
The Eurovision 2025 final will be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester / Credit: CinemaLive | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

You may remember that Switzerland is hosting Eurovision this year, following the nation’s well-deserved victory at the 2024 contest with the song ‘The Code’ performed by Nemo.

But thanks to these live stream events, you won’t need to make the trip to Basel to get in on the action, as you’ll just need to nip down to your nearest participating cinema instead.

Not only will the long-awaited final of the show be streamed live onto the big screen in 5.1 surround sound, but fans are invited to bring their Eurovision parties from the front room to the cinema instead, as organisers say fancy dress is ‘heavily encouraged’, as are enthusiastic sing-alongs too.

Speaking ahead of the event next month, John Travers from distributors CinemaLive, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the third year in a row.

“There’s simply no better way to enjoy the biggest night in music than in a cinema.”

Read more:

Tickets are now live and available to book at your local cinema here.

Some of the participating Greater Manchester cinemas include Vue Manchester Printworks, Everymans in Manchester city centre and Altrincham, The Light in Stockport, and Cineworld in Didsbury, among others.

Featured Image – EBU

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