BBC announces premiere of Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story, a new drama on real-life abduction

The BBC has announced the release of a new factual drama titled Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story, which is set to premiere on Wednesday 14^th August 2024. The series, based on the real-life abduction of model Chloe Ayling in Italy during 2017, will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am, with a double bill airing on BBC Three at 9pm that same evening.

Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story is produced by River Pictures in collaboration with ZDFneo and examines the harrowing experience of Ayling, who was kidnapped under the pretence of a modelling job. The series delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of her ordeal, including her time in captivity and the subsequent trial that led to her kidnappers’ convictions.

Despite the convictions, Ayling faced widespread scepticism and was subjected to a media frenzy, with some accusing her of orchestrating her own abduction. The drama aims to address these controversies and provide a deeper understanding of Ayling’s experience.

The series features Nadia Parkes in the role of Chloe Ayling, with a supporting cast that includes Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Lindsay, Olive Gray, Eleonora Romandini, Julian Swiezewski and Christine Tremarco. It is penned by Georgia Lester, known for her work on Killing Eve and Skins, and includes episodes written by Nessa Wrafter and Tolula Dada.

Director Al Mackay and producer Clare Shepherd lead the production team, with executive producers Michael Parke, Andrew Morrissey, Georgia Lester, Al Mackay, and Priscilla Parish, alongside Lucy Richer for the BBC. The series was filmed in both the UK and Italy with Chloe Ayling’s cooperation, aiming to portray an authentic representation of her story.

The editorial unit

Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story is released on 14^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story here: