London, 1851. Iris paints dolls for a living, alongside her twin sister Rose, but dreams of becoming an artist. By night she secretly paints, honing her craft. Silas is a taxidermist who owns a shop filled with his creations. He hopes to one day find an item so unique he will be catapulted to fame. Louis, a painter and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, is searching for his next muse. In a city humming with anticipation for the Great Exhibition, their three worlds collide, and Iris is offered an opportunity to escape and start a new life. To do so, she must abandon her sister, sacrifice her reputation, and launch herself into the unknown. As Iris’ world expands, she finds herself challenging patriarchal beliefs, exploring her sexuality, and starting to experience the things she has always dreamed of. But alongside her newfound independence, a dark obsession begins to unfold.
Based on the best-selling novel by Elizabeth Macneal, The Doll Factory is a searing story of love, art, freedom—and what happens when a woman dares to take what she wants in a world that would rather kill her than let her have it.
Leading the cast is Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna) as Iris, Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People) as Silas, Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin) as Rose, and George Webster (Wedding Season) as Louis. Also joining the ensemble cast are Pippa Haywood (Bodyguard), Sharlene Whyte (Stephen), newcomer Reece Kenwyne-Mpudzi, Freddy Carter (Shadow and Bone), Saoirse Monica Jackson (Derry Girls), Laurie Kynaston (The Sandman), Jim Caesar (The Witcher), Akshay Khanna (Chloe), Aysha Kala (The Undeclared War), and Nell Hudson (Outlander).
Tony Wood, Anna Burns, and Richard Tulk-Hart are Executive Producers for Buccaneer. British screenwriter Charley Miles is adapting the series for screen and will also serve as Executive Producer, along with author Elizabeth Macneal. Sacha Polak (Hanna, Dirty God) is directing the series, with Cathy Brady (Wildfire) directing episodes four and five. Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders, Maigret) is Series Producer and Julie Harkin (I May Destroy You, Becoming Elizabeth) is casting director.
