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

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Read more:

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

Featured Image – Disney+ UK

TV & Showbiz

A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Shaun the Sheep live circus and stage show Manchester tickets

Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.

This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.

Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.

Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.

‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.

Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.

Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.

Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.

And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.

Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.

Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.

John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.

“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“

Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

IDLES frontman Joe Talbot set for ’10 Songs That Made Me’ interview at AO Arena

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joe Talbot 10 Songs That Made Me podcast interview Manchester AO Arena tickets

Cult favourite frontman Joe Talbot of IDLES fame is set to for an eye-opening sit-down interview as part of AO Arena’s ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series.

The lead singer of the politically-charged post-punk band will be joining the in-conversation event opposite BBC 6 Music host and popular radio host, full stop, Chris Hawkins.

Having often drifted into hardcore, art rock and even spoken word at times, Joe Talbot and co. have become known for the cutting lyricism and insightful songwriting in general, so we can only assume that diving into his own musical influences will be just as riveting.

Joining his fellow audophile on stage at the city’s legendary live music and entertainment venue this November, Talbot and Hawkins will be running through the tracks that quite literally helped create the musician we know today.

According to the AO, the arena will host an in-depth chat with the provocative 41-year-old artist as he walks Chris Hawkins through “the most important musical chapters of his life, his stunning musical journey from resident DJ at one of Bristol’s hottest clubs, through to headlining Glastonbury festival.”

It is quite the career he’s had when you break it down.

They go on to promise “raw honesty and trademark wit” as Joe reflects on the record, acts and cultural moments that shaped him as a young performer before breaking onto the scene with IDLES.

As for the ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series itself, it may be what it says on the tin, but most interestingly, being in the crowd and hearing it from each different group/individual changes the experience entirely.

“More than a story of success—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and community”, they go on to add. “Expect an evening of candid conversation, unexpected anecdotes, and deep dives into the music that has not only defined Joe’s career but also resonated with millions around the world.

If you’re fans of the band or Talbot, in particular, you’ll already know they’re great orators; plus, if you caught even a small clip from his own fledgling Oh Gatekeeper podcast, you’ll know he loves nothing more than diving deep into tunes that shape not just the audio landscape but people at their core.

Just casually getting the lead singer of The Strokes on for in the first season, as you do…

On a personal note, we’ve watched the IDLES x Grammy Museum interview on multiple ocassions at this point, and know how much artistry there is behind everything they do.

The same goes for Talbot, specifically – there’s no doubt about that.

If you’re interested in being part of the audience for Joe Talbot’s in conversation event with Chris Hawkins as part of ’10 Songs That Made Me’, tickets for the date at AO Arena on Tuesday, 25 November are live now, and you can grab yours via Skiddle right HERE.

Last but not least, special mention goes to the interviewing expert himself, whose recent chat with Tim Burgess about The Charlatans getting back into the studio is also well worth a listen.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shot (supplied)

More TV & Showbiz

Daddy Issues S2

Trending

BBC releases first look images for second series of popular Stockport-set sitcom Daddy Issues

The Traitors

Trending

BBC is casting for next series of The Traitors and wants Mancs who are ‘good at lying’ to apply

Art & Culture

A first look into the highly-anticipated TV soap crossover ‘Corriedale’ has just dropped

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches