The Stolen Girl unravels a haunting mystery about Elisa Blix, a woman who discovers her entire childhood may have been fabricated when a stranger claims she was kidnapped as a toddler. This psychological thriller explores identity, trauma, and the fragile nature of memory through a tense cat-and-mouse game between Elisa and Rebecca, the woman determined to prove their connection. With its moody British setting and complex female leads, the series promises to be Freeform’s most sophisticated drama to date.
Below is the complete cast breakdown, featuring acclaimed actors from stage and screen. Each performer brings nuanced depth to this emotionally charged exploration of stolen identity and fractured families.
The Cast of The Stolen Girl
1: Denise Gough as Elisa Blix
Born: February 28, 1980 in Ennis, Ireland
Notable Works: Colette (2018), Paula (2017), Angels in America (2017)
Two-time Olivier Award winner Denise Gough headlines as Elisa Blix, a successful architect whose life implodes when Rebecca arrives with shocking claims about her past. Gough, renowned for her intense stage performances, brings raw vulnerability to Elisa’s psychological unraveling. The role required her to master architectural drafting while portraying a woman questioning her most fundamental memories.
Gough’s preparation included consulting with trauma specialists and kidnapping survivors. Her mesmerizing performance captures both Elisa’s fierce intelligence and terrifying self-doubt as she investigates the truth. The Irish actress elevates what could be a standard thriller into a profound character study.
2: Holliday Grainger as Rebecca
Born: March 27, 1988 in Didsbury, England
Notable Works: The Borgias (2011-2013), Strike (2017-present), Animals (2019)
Holliday Grainger delivers a career-best performance as Rebecca, the mysterious woman convinced Elisa is her long-lost sister. Grainger masterfully balances Rebecca’s fragile hope with unsettling obsession, keeping viewers guessing about her true motives. The actress drew inspiration from real cases of disputed identities and adoption reunions.
Known for period dramas, Grainger here proves her mastery of contemporary psychological tension. Her chemistry with Gough creates electric scenes as their characters swing between tentative bonding and vicious confrontations. Rebecca’s backstory unfolds in heartbreaking fragments throughout the season.
3: Robyn Betteridge as Josephine Thibault
Born: June 4, 2008 in London, England
Notable Works: The Essex Serpent (2022), The Midwich Cuckoos (2022)
Young rising star Robyn Betteridge portrays Josephine, the child at the center of the alleged kidnapping case. In flashbacks, Betteridge delivers a remarkably mature performance as a toddler displaying unsettling behavior that haunts investigators. The role required her to master 1990s British sign language for key silent scenes.
Betteridge’s uncanny ability to switch between vulnerable child and eerily composed witness adds crucial tension. Her scenes with Gough (as young Elisa) establish the series’ central mystery – was this a rescue or a theft?
4: Michael Workeye as Kaleb Negasi
Born: September 12, 1992 in Accra, Ghana
Notable Works: The Lazarus Project (2022), The Rig (2023)
Michael Workeye brings grounded intensity to Kaleb, the investigative journalist helping Elisa uncover the truth. Workeye’s natural charisma shines as a reporter battling his own demons while chasing the story. The role required immersion in 1990s crime journalism practices and forensic psychology.
The Ghanaian-British actor provides crucial warmth amid the thriller’s chilling revelations. His character’s growing relationship with Elisa offers moments of respite without sacrificing narrative tension.
5: Jim Sturgess as Fred Blix
Born: May 16, 1978 in London, England
Notable Works: Across the Universe (2007), Cloud Atlas (2012), Hard Sun (2018)
Jim Sturgess portrays Fred, Elisa’s increasingly suspicious husband. Sturgess masterfully walks the line between concerned spouse and potential antagonist, his performance filled with subtle tells that keep viewers guessing. The role required studying psychology of deception and marital trauma.
The musical theater-trained actor brings haunting physicality to Fred’s breakdown scenes. His rendition of a 90s Britpop song in a flashback episode stands as one of the season’s most chilling moments.
Supporting Cast Deep Dive
6: Ambika Mod as Selma
This Is Going to Hurt star Mod plays Elisa’s sardonic best friend and colleague. Her witty one-liners provide crucial levity while her investigative skills prove invaluable.
7: Bronagh Waugh as DI Shona Sinclair
The Derry Girls alum transforms into the tough but compassionate detective reopening the cold case. Waugh consulted with retired female investigators to perfect procedural details.
8: Layo-Christina Akinlude as DS Lizzie Walker
Akinlude’s DS Walker brings youthful energy to the investigation, often clashing with Sinclair’s old-school methods.
9: Andy Sellers as Tom O’Ryan
The forensic psychologist whose controversial testimony originally closed the case. Sellers portrays a man wrestling with professional regret.
10: Lisa Bowerman as Maria Blix
Elisa’s aging mother, played with heartbreaking ambiguity by Doctor Who veteran Bowerman. Her deteriorating memory holds key answers.
