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Ruby Stokes in The Burning Girls© Paramount +

The Burning Girls viewers saying same thing about Bridgerton star's spooky new thriller

The Paramount + series is based on CJ Tudor's hit novel

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Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
October 24, 2023
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Paramount +'s new drama, The Burning Girls, has taken the internet by storm since arriving on the streaming platform last week. 

The psychological thriller, which stars Bridgerton actress Ruby Stokes and The Serpent Queen's Samantha Morton, is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by CJ Tudor. The story follows Reverend Jack Brooks and her daughter Flo, who move to a quaint Sussex village in the hopes of a fresh start, but soon find their new hometown has a dark history.

WATCH: Ruby Stokes and Samantha Morton star in The Burning Girls

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers raved over the gripping six-parter, with many commenting on how true the series is to the book. 

One person wrote: "Looking for something to watch, I highly recommend #TheBurningGirls, which is based on the book by @cjtudor ... A fast-paced, twisty, eerie thriller. The book was 5 [star emoji] and the series is the book come to life... fantastic," while another penned: "Binged watched the entire series of #TheBurningGirls adapted from the book by @cjtudor on @ParamountPlusUK today. Incredible! Loved it. Highly recommended."

Flo Brooks played by Ruby Stokes and Jack Brooks played by Samantha Morton© Photographer: Joss Barratt
Ruby Stokes and Samantha Morton star in the series

A third person tweeted: "Just finished ep1 of #TheBurningGirls on @ParamountUK based on the fantastic novel by @cjtudor… bravo guys, bravo!! Thoroughly enjoyed!! Highly recommend both the series (so far!) AND the book!!"

Many fans also commended the compelling cast performances, particularly from Samantha Morton. One person tweeted: "Oh my - what is this!?! Two episodes in and we're hooked! #SamanthaMorton @samthesparrow is incredible as the bewildered vicar in this wonderful adaption of  #TheBurningGirls by @cjtudor. The cast are perfect! Can't wait to watch more tonight!" while another added: "Just finished #TheBurningGirls on @ParamountPlusUK. Just brilliant! Amazing performances throughout, #SamanthaMorton #JackRoth to name but a few. Stunning! But the story was pure class, I'm definitely going to read some of #CJTudor now."

A third person commented: "The Burning Girls is an excellent whodunnit and Sam Morton, as always, is marvellous."

Samantha Morton in The Burning Girls© Paramount +
Samantha Morton plays Reverend Jack Brooks

What is The Burning Girls about? 

The series follows vicar Jack Brooks and her daughter Flo as they move to the sleepy village of Chapel Croft following a family tragedy. 

They soon discover that the village holds a gruesome history that dates back 500 years when two young girls were burned at the stake alongside a number of Protestant martyrs. Things become even more creepy when they learn that three decades before their arrival, two teenage girls vanished from the village without a trace. 

Ruby Stokes in The Burning Girls© Paramount +
Ruby Stokes as Flo

The official synopsis reads: "Reverand Jack Brooks and her daughter Flo arrive in the small village of Chapel Croft, seeking a fresh start. They soon find a village rife with conspiracies and secrets where uncovering the truth can be deadly in a community with a bloody past."

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Who stars in The Burning Girls? 

Samantha Morton and Ruby Stokes lead the cast as Reverend Jack and Flo. 

They are joined by Conrad Khan (Peaky Blinders), Rupert Graves (Sherlock), Elodie Grace Orkin (Stranger Things), Janie Dee (All's Well That Ends Well), David Dawson (The Last Kingdom), Paul Bradley (EastEnders) and Jane Lapotaire (The Crown).

Rounding out the cast are Jack Roth (Bohemian Rhapsody), Mollie Holder (Sanditon), Safia Oakley-Green (Sherwood), Beth Cordingly (Learning To Walk Again) and John Macmillian (House Of The Dragon).

Samantha Morton in The Burning Girls© Paramount +
Samantha said working on the series was "an absolute thrill"

Speaking of the role, Samantha said: "I was immediately drawn to this character-led script, brought to life by a wonderfully talented and dedicated cast. On the surface, The Burning Girls is about community, but underneath, it's every man for themselves. Untangling this intricate web was an absolute thrill." 

Ruby added: "It was a pleasure working with such a talented and dedicated cast and crew. A personal highlight; playing opposite Sam, whom I greatly admire."

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