Samantha Morton to lead Paramount+ thriller The Burning Girls alongside Bridgerton star Ruby Stokes

The Walking Dead’s Samantha Morton and Bridgerton’s Ruby Stokes have been cast in forthcoming Paramount+ series The Burning Girls. 

Double Oscar nominee Morton, 45, will play the lead role in the show, based on the 2021 novel by CJ Tudor, Deadline reports.

Morton plays reverend named Jack Brooks, a single parent who is haunted by a tragedy from her past, as well as her husband’s death.

Stokes, 22, will play Morton’s daughter Flo, described as a unique teen. 

Together they arrive in a village called Chapel Croft, anticipating new beginnings.

But it doesn’t take them long to find that they’ve moved to a community full of ‘conspiracies and secrets.’

The series is coming from Buccaneer Media, and CEO Tony Wood said, ‘We couldn’t be happier with The Burning Girls cast as we start production this week.’

The executive added, ‘The depth of talent is substantial.’

Coming soon: The two women, 45 and 22, will star in Burning Girls, based on the 2021 novel by CJ Tudor; seen in 2019

Also set to appear in the show are Conrad Khan of Peaky Blinders, Rupert Graves, Elodie Grace Orkin of Stranger Things, and more.

Both Morton and Stokes are also currently busy with other projects – Morton in Starz’ Serpent Queen, and Stokes in Lockwood & Co. on Netflix.

The upcoming TV series will also see appearances from Janie Dee, David Dawson, Paul Bradley, Jane Lapotaire, Jack Roth, Mollie Holder, Safia Oakley-Green, Beth Cordingly and John Macmillian.

And about the narrative of the book, Wood said last year, ‘The Burning Girls is a terrific story; it’s very easy to see how CJ Tudor has risen to the top of the charts in pretty short order. Her ability to tell a truly gripping story is exceptional.’ 

Another star: Also set to appear in the show is Conrad Khan of Peaky Blinders; pictured in June