Disney+’s gripping five-part crime thriller, The Stolen Girl, has captivated audiences with its intense storyline and stunning visuals. If you’re curious about The Stolen Girl filming locations, you’ve come to the right place. At NetFilming, we’re diving into the real-world places where this psychological drama was brought to life. From the urban streets of Manchester to the sunny coast of Toulon, the series uses a mix of locations in England and France to tell its chilling story of a child abduction. Let’s explore where the show was filmed and why these places matter.
About The Stolen Girl
The Stolen Girl, which premiered on Disney+ on April 16, 2025, and on Hulu and Freeform the next day, is a five-part psychological crime thriller that keeps viewers on edge. Adapted from Alex Dahl’s novel Playdate by Catherine Moulton, the series centers on Elisa and Fred Blix, a couple whose nine-year-old daughter, Lucia, is abducted during a sleepover at her friend Josie’s house. The story unfolds as Elisa (Denise Gough) and Fred (Jim Sturgess) discover that Josie’s mother, Rebecca Walsh (Holliday Grainger), has vanished with the girls, triggering a desperate international manhunt. Journalist Selma Desai (Ambika Mod) investigates the case, uncovering secrets tied to Elisa’s past that deepen the mystery.
Directed by Eva Husson, the series draws inspiration from real-life events, notably the 1990s abduction of Nadia Dabbagh by her ex-husband. This grounding in reality adds emotional weight to the narrative, exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and parental desperation. The show’s 90% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its compelling performances and twist-filled plot, making it a must-watch for thriller fans. Its use of authentic locations enhances the storytelling, creating a vivid backdrop for the characters’ emotional journey. Whether it’s the tense urban scenes or the deceptive calm of coastal settings, The Stolen Girl uses its settings to amplify the drama, drawing viewers into a world where every clue matters.
Where was The Stolen Girl Filmed?
The series was filmed across multiple locations in the United Kingdom and France, chosen to reflect the story’s emotional and geographical shifts, moving from suburban Manchester to the Mediterranean coast. Let’s take a closer look at the key filming locations.
England, UK
The majority of The Stolen Girl was filmed in England, with a focus on creating a realistic and immersive urban and suburban backdrop for the early episodes. Manchester served as the central hub, but the production team also ventured to Liverpool, Shropshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Kent to capture the story’s diverse settings. Each location was carefully selected to reflect the narrative’s emotional weight, from the Blix family’s familiar neighborhood to the tense settings of police investigations and smuggling operations. These English locations ground the series in a relatable, gritty atmosphere that contrasts with the later French scenes, enhancing the story’s progression.
Manchester, Greater Manchester:
Manchester, a vibrant city in northwest England, was the cornerstone of the show’s urban scenes. The production team used multiple locations to depict the Blix family’s world and the unfolding investigation. The Sunlight House, a Grade II-listed Art Deco building at Little Quay Street, was transformed into the offices of Dash Voice, the online publication where journalist Selma Desai tracks the abduction case. Its sleek, modern design provided a professional backdrop for Selma’s investigative work.
In Cheadle Hulme, a suburb near Stockport, the crew filmed the Blix family home in a charming Victorian-style house in Bramhall, evoking a sense of suburban normalcy. Cheadle Hulme School on Claremont Road doubled as Lucia’s school, where Elisa first meets Rebecca Walsh. Location manager Kevin Jackson emphasized the importance of proximity, noting that the school was just a mile from the Blix home, creating a cohesive neighborhood feel.
Manchester Airport’s luxury terminal, Aether, stood in for Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport, adding authenticity to scenes of international travel. Whalley Range, a suburban area southwest of Manchester’s city center, served as Selma Desai’s hometown, with the crew securing a house for filming after outreach to residents.
The Dalton Building at Manchester Metropolitan University’s All Saints Campus was repurposed as the Manchester Metropolitan Police Station, its stark concrete design underscoring the investigation’s intensity.
Liverpool, Merseyside:
Liverpool, a port city with a rich cultural heritage, provided the setting for Rebecca Walsh’s home. The Glass House at 19 Fulwood Park, a modern pavilion-style building surrounded by lush greenery, was chosen for its striking minimalist design. This aesthetic contrasted with the natural surroundings, creating a tense and surreal atmosphere for the abduction scenes. The crew also filmed the sleepover house nearby, leveraging Liverpool’s architectural diversity to enhance the narrative’s visual impact.
Shropshire, West Midlands:
Shrewsbury Prison at The Dana in Shrewsbury was used for scenes involving Elisa’s incarcerated former lover. This Victorian-era prison, decommissioned in 2013 and now a tourist attraction, offered an authentic, gritty backdrop with its weathered brick walls and preserved cells. The prison’s stark atmosphere amplified the emotional weight of these sequences, making it a perfect fit for the story’s darker moments. Its history as a filming location for shows like Man Like Mobeen and Coronation Street added to its appeal.
Marsden, West Yorkshire:
The village of Marsden in Kirklees stood in for the fictional commune of Eyton, where Elisa once lived. Its picturesque 19th-century buildings, including the Bank Bottom Mill, and scenic terrain provided a serene, rural contrast to Manchester’s urban grit. The crew adapted the script to incorporate the mill’s cotton and wool production, adding depth to the commune’s backstory. Mill Road was also used for several scenes, enhancing the setting’s authenticity.
Blackpool, Lancashire:
Blackpool Airport on the Fylde coast was the site of private jet scenes filmed in July 2023. Originally planned for Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, the shoot featured a Bombardier Global Express jet with green screens for digital effects, tying into Elisa’s private jet company. The county’s Horrobin Lane, between the Upper and Lower Rivington Reservoirs, offered a tranquil backdrop for transitional scenes, providing a brief escape from the urban tension.
Dover, Kent:
The Port of Dover, one of Europe’s busiest passenger ports, was used for a pivotal scene where Lucia is smuggled out of England via a ferry terminal. Its modern facilities and proximity to France made it an ideal choice, reinforcing the story’s international stakes. The port’s sleek design aligned with the show’s urban aesthetic, heightening the suspense of the sequence.
Filming Locations in France
In the later episodes of The Stolen Girl, the narrative shifts to a brighter, more luxurious setting, and the production team chose southeastern France to capture this change. Filming primarily took place in Toulon, with a brief shoot in Cannes, both in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. These locations provided a vivid contrast to the muted, gritty tones of the English scenes, reflecting the story’s emotional and geographical progression.
Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur:
Toulon, a picturesque coastal city in southern France, served as the primary location for scenes depicting Rebecca Walsh’s country home. The production team spent five weeks filming at Domaine d’Orvès, a stunning 17th-century manor located at 71 Avenue de la Libération in La Valette-du-Var, just outside Toulon.
Recognized as a “Jardin Remarquable” for its exceptional botanical gardens, this privately owned estate features lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and elegant interiors adorned with artwork and murals. The manor’s bohemian charm perfectly suited Rebecca’s envisioned lifestyle, creating an idyllic yet deceptive setting for key scenes.
Holliday Grainger, who plays Rebecca, described the experience of filming at Domaine d’Orvès as immersive, noting how the house’s beauty, with its kids’ rooms decorated with murals and its proximity to local bakeries, made it easy to feel part of Nina’s world. The estate’s serene atmosphere contrasted sharply with the story’s tension, amplifying the emotional stakes.
Beyond Domaine d’Orvès, the crew filmed extensively in Toulon’s surrounding areas, particularly in La Seyne-sur-Mer, to capture the vibrant French Riviera lifestyle. Several outdoor scenes were shot at local establishments, adding authenticity to the setting. The pastry shop Gâteaux & Chocolats at 17 Rue Lamalgue became a backdrop for everyday moments, showcasing the region’s culinary charm.
Le Bidule bar at 13 Rue Amable Lagane provided a casual, lively setting for character interactions, while the Plage de la Verne pebble beach offered a scenic coastal view that underscored the story’s shift to a new environment. The crew also filmed in nearby streets and shops, weaving Toulon’s colorful markets and Mediterranean architecture into the narrative.
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur:
For a single day of filming, the production team traveled to Cannes, an iconic city on the French Riviera, to shoot villa scenes toward the series’ conclusion. The Carlton Hotel, located at 58 Boulevard de la Croisette, served as the primary location. This luxurious hotel, a landmark of the Cannes Film Festival, is steeped in cinematic history, having appeared in films like Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief.
Behind the Scenes: Filming Challenges
Filming The Stolen Girl wasn’t without challenges. Principal photography began in June 2023 and wrapped by August 2024, with the crew navigating multiple locations across two countries. While the SAG-AFTRA strikes (July-November 2023) may have posed logistical hurdles, the team’s focus on real locations paid off. For instance, securing a house in Whalley Range required outreach to residents, and adapting the script to incorporate Marsden’s mill showed the crew’s flexibility. These efforts ensured the locations felt integral to the story.
If you’re fascinated by how films are made, visit NetFilming for more insights into your favorite shows’ filming locations. Which location would you love to visit? Let us know!
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