Paramount+ series The Doll Factory filming in Ireland

Filming for the new Paramount+ original series, The Doll Factory, has commenced on location in and around Dublin, Ireland.

Adapted from the Sunday Times bestselling novel of the same name by Elizabeth Macneal, The Doll Factory is set in London, 1850. It tells the story of Iris, who paints dolls for a living alongside her twin sister, Rose. Silas is a taxidermist who dreams of one day finding an item so unique he will be catapulted to fame. Louis is a painter searching for his next muse. When Iris meets Silas, and then Louis, she 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. But as Iris’ world expands, a story of dark obsession begins to unfold…

Production on the six-part thriller series is currently underway and will continue through to 2023. Local production in Ireland is provided by ShinAwil.

Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna) leads the cast as Iris, who dreams of becoming an artist, and by night, secretly paints herself. Normal People's Éanna Hardwicke stars as Silas, a taxidermist who owns a shop filled with his creations. The Witcher: Blood Origin's Mirren Mack is Rose, Iris’s twin sister who works alongside her in the doll shop and George Webster (Wedding Season) will portray Louis, a painter and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

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 executive produce for London-based Buccaneer. Rising British screenwriter Charley Miles is adapting the series for screen and will also serve as executive producer. Sacha Polak (Hanna) is directing and Suzanne McAuley (Magpie Murders) serves as series producer.

“We are so excited about the group of people we’ve brought together for this show. Charley and Sacha are an incredible team, and we couldn’t wish for a more talented cast to be bringing to life the characters we love so much. A huge thanks to Paramount+ who we are delighted to be working with again, and to our partners at Cineflix, SBS and TVNZ. Finally, thank you to Elizabeth Macneal, who has been a dream collaborator from the very start” said Burns, EP, Buccaneer.

The series was ordered for Paramount+ by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer, UK, Paramount; and is part of the streamer's strategy to commission 150 international originals by 2025.