27 November (2023-11-27) – 1 December 2023 (2023-12-01)
The Doll Factory is a period thriller television series based on the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Macneal, adapted by Charley Miles for Paramount+. The series premiered on 27 November 2023, with all episodes released on 1 December 2023.[1]
Cast
Main
Esmé Creed-Miles as Iris Whittle, an aspiring artist who paints dolls for a living
Éanna Hardwicke as Silas Reed, a taxidermist who runs the Shop of Curiosities Antique and New
Mirren Mack as Rose Whittle, a seamstress and Iris' resentful twin sister, scarred by smallpox
Iris works in a doll-making shop but dreams of becoming an artist. Her chance encounter with a pre-Raphaelite painter changes her life.
2
"Episode 2"
Sacha Polak
Unknown
November 27, 2023 (2023-11-27)
Iris leaves the doll shop and agrees to be Louis's muse, once he agrees to teach her to paint. When Silas learns of Iris's choice, he is devastated and the two men fight. As Iris breathes in her new freedom, a shocking crime takes place.
3
"Episode 3"
Sacha Polak
Unknown
November 28, 2023 (2023-11-28)
Iris grows closer to Louis but continues to meet with Silas, who warns her away from Louis; the Madame begins a search for the perpetrator of Bluebell's murder; Iris decides to enter her self-portrait into the Royal Academy exhibition.
4
"Episode 4"
Unknown
Unknown
November 29, 2023 (2023-11-29)
Iris attends The Royal Academy Exhibition with the PRB; Silas waits for Iris to visit the Great Exhibition, where his exhibits are finally on display; the Madame and Albie team up to discover who killed Bluebell.
5
"Episode 5"
Unknown
Unknown
November 30, 2023 (2023-11-30)
Iris discovers a shocking truth about Louis. Forced to leave The Factory, she returns to the doll shop once more to have an important conversation with her sister.
6
"Episode 6"
Unknown
Unknown
December 1, 2023 (2023-12-01)
With the truth finally exposed, Iris finds herself trapped in a terrifying situation. She is forced to use her wits and strength to claw her way back to freedom.
Production
In July 2022, it was announced the UK and Ireland wing of Paramount+ had commissioned a six-part adaptation of Macneal's novel from Buccaneer Media, with Shinawil handling local production in Ireland. Charley Miles would adapt the novel, and Sacha Polak would direct the series.[3]
Principal photography was under way in and around Dublin as of November 2022. Filming was reported at Trinity College Dublin in January 2023, specifically in the Museum Building and the Physics Lecture Theatre.[5]