Nadia Parkes will play the lead role in Kidnapped, a new factual drama based on the true story of Chloe Ayling, a British model who was abducted in Italy in 2017, having travelled there for a photo shoot.

Written by Georgia Lester (Killing Eve, Skins), the six-part series Kidnapped (w/t) starring Nadia Parkes (The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, Domina) is based on detailed research, extensive interviews, documented legal proceedings and Chloe’s own book Kidnapped. It will tell Chloe’s personal story in full for the first time, going behind the headlines to shine a light on the emotional truth.

The series follows her terrifying kidnap, her bravery and resilience in captivity, and the subsequent court case that put her kidnappers in jail. Yet despite their convictions, Chloe faced headlines accusing her of faking her own kidnapping, and found herself at the centre of a media storm.

The series asks why Chloe was blamed for her kidnappers’ crimes. How do we relate to survivors of crime who make the front pages? And how does it feel to be an ordinary person, caught up in events so extraordinary that you aren’t believed?

Joining Nadia are Adrian Edmondson (Rain Dogs, A Spy Among Friends), Nigel Lindsay (The Capture, The Salisbury Poisonings), Olive Gray (Halo, Rose), Eleonora Romandini (The White Lotus, Il Nostro Generale), Julian Swiezewski (The Passing Bells, Krucjata) and Christine Tremarco (The Responder, Casualty). Further casting will be announced in due course.

Nadia Parkes says: “This is a timely and important story about how we perceive trauma in the media. I feel honoured to be playing Chloe and to be a part of this adaptation for the BBC.”

Michael Parke, Executive Producer for BBC Studios, says: “We are delighted that the incredibly talented Nadia Parkes will portray Chloe Ayling in our drama. She has immersed herself in research and is passionate about bringing the truth about Chloe’s story to the screen.”

Fiona Campbell, Controller of Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three says: “We’re so pleased that filming has now begun on Kidnapped and that the hugely talented Nadia Parkes will lead the drama as Chloe Ayling, alongside such a fantastic and impressive cast.”

Kidnapped (w/t) is a 6x30’ BBC Studios production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. The series is written by Georgia Lester, directed by Al Mackay (Without Sin, COBRA) and produced by Clare Shepherd (Viewpoint, The A Word). The executive producers are Priscilla Parish, Michael Parke and Andrew Morrissey for BBC Studios, with Lucy Richer executive producing for the BBC and Georgia Lester.

The series is being made in full cooperation with Chloe Ayling and is filming in Italy and the UK. Further casting will be announced in due course. BBC Studios will distribute the series internationally.