By: Malasha Parker
Q) What drew you to being a part of the riveting drama series, “Girl Taken?”
A) What immediately drew me in was the emotional depth of the story and the way it centres the humanity of the victim, not just the mechanics of the crime. It isn’t a sensationalised thriller for the sake of it — it’s a character-driven exploration of trauma, resilience and the long shadow that abduction leaves behind. I was also really struck by how layered the female characters are, and how much empathy exists at the heart of the storytelling.
Q) What approach did you take in playing the role of DC Rachel Wickford?
A) I approached Rachel from a place of grounded empathy. She’s highly competent, but she also leads with emotional intelligence. I wanted her to feel like someone who genuinely carries the weight of these cases — not just as a detective, but as a human being. A lot of my work was about listening, observing and allowing stillness to communicate as much as dialogue.
Q) Did you read Hollie Overton’s 2016 novel, Baby Doll, before getting the role and did you use it as source material for the role?
A) I didn’t use the novel as direct source material for Rachel, as she isn’t a character in the book, so I didn’t have a specific blueprint to draw from within the storyline. Instead, I did my own research into real-life abduction cases, survivor experiences and the psychological impact on detectives who work in this space. I was particularly interested in how prolonged exposure to traumatic cases shapes a person’s empathy, instincts, and emotional resilience.
Q) Rachel looks after Lily from afar—meaning she thinks how Lily may feel in the situation she is in. What kind of discussions did you have about DC Rachel being that inside voice for her?
A) We talked a lot about Rachel acting almost as Lily’s (Tallulah Evans) advocate in the room — the person who consistently asks, “What would Lily want?” or “How might this feel to her?” Rachel holds Lily’s humanity at the centre of the investigation. She isn’t just trying to solve a puzzle; she’s trying to protect a person.
Q) Which of her choices do you think Rachel would have made differently during the search and investigation for Lily?
A) I think Rachel would probably wish she’d trusted her instincts even earlier. In episode one, she clocks the altercation between Abby (Delphi Evans) and Archie (Kiran Krishnakumar), and she also notices how unusually protective Rick (Alfie Allen) is towards Lily. Those moments stay with her. Rachel is very observant and I think in hindsight she would wish she’d pushed harder on those early red flags.
Q) Is there a particular scene that you found the most challenging for you to film – either emotionally or physically?
A) Physically, the bridge scene with Zoe (Niamh Walsh) was particularly challenging — pulling her away to stop her from jumping onto the train tracks just as the train was coming. The adrenaline is so high in that moment. Emotionally, the scenes dealing with the aftermath of Lily’s trauma were also very heavy, and required a lot of care and presence.
Q) How did you shake off a long day of being on set for this adrenaline pumping series?
A) I was working away from my son, Théo, so I FaceTimed him and that always feeds my soul. Music also plays a huge part — my career began in The Lion King and I’ve always found singing and songwriting to be incredibly therapeutic.
Q) While this story has a specific storyline, stories of missing girls happen every day. What did it mean for you to be a part of a story that shines light on abduction cases such as this one?
A) It meant a great deal. On a human level, it feels like we’ve achieved something — creating space for empathy, awareness and conversation around experiences that are often silenced or overlooked. If the show helps even one person feel seen, understood or less alone, then that really matters.
Q) What kind of fan response have you been receiving to this standout new show?
A) The response has been incredibly moving. People have spoken about how emotionally invested they feel, and some have shared personal experiences. I don’t take that lightly. It means a lot that the story is resonating in such a genuine way.
Q) What are the upcoming projects that you have been busy working on?
A) Alongside “Girl Taken,” I’m an Executive Producer on Shades of Survival, which is another form of advocacy — tackling a different kind of adversary — shining a light on systemic inequities in healthcare and the disparities faced by Black women with breast cancer. And to add some light to the shade, I’m also filming a Christmas movie that will be out later this year, which has been a real joy.
Q) What would you like to say to the fans and supporters of you and your work?
A) Thank you. Truly. Your support, messages and engagement mean more than you know. I’m so grateful to be able to tell stories that connect with people, and I don’t take that privilege lightly.