Samantha Morton and Ruby Stokes to Star in Paramount+'s 'The Burning Girls'

Streaming network Parmount+ is in the process of rapidly expanding its upcoming slate of British content, greenlighting multiple new UK-based series, including thriller The Doll Factory and a prequel series based on the cult classic film Sexy Beasts. And now, one of its very first UK commissions is finally going into production, with an entire cast announced for the upcoming series The Burning Girls. The drama, which comes from the producers behind the female-led thrillers like Marcella and Whitstable Pearl, is based on the 2021 C.J. Tudor novel of the same name and follows the story of a village haunted by its dark and turbulent history.

The series is led by Oscar nominee (and period drama powerhouse) Samantha Morton (The Serpent Queen), who will star as Reverend Jack Brooks, a single parent struggling to overcome personal tragedy and looking for a fresh start with her daughter in the town of Chapel Croft. Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton) will play her teenage daughter Flo, who is described as "march[ing] to the beat of her own drum." Buccaneer Media CEO Tony Wood said in a statement. "We couldn't be happier with The Burning Girls cast as we start production this week. The depth of talent is substantial."

Unfortunately for Reverend Jack, Chapel Cove is full of conspiracies and secrets of its own, and their hopeful new beginning takes a dark and unexpected turn when they discover its long history of disturbing deaths and disappearances. Some 500 years ago, eight martyrs were burned. Thirty years ago, two teenagers disappeared without a trace. And two months ago, the vicar committed suicide. Threatening messages, age-old superstitions, and a possible cover-up surrounding her predecessor's death are just a few of the problems Jack will face as she searches for the truth about what's happening in their village.