Ragdoll - What We Know So Far

In mid-August, AMC+ finally revealed the first images from their upcoming, six-episode show "Ragdoll". The new images, released via Variety, not only teased the look and feel of the new series but gave audiences the first look at the show's intriguing leads. But, before we can talk about the show's cast, you should get familiar with this show's bona fides; once you know the team behind the show, you'll definitely want to add "Ragdoll" to your queue.

Announced in February 2021 by The Hollywood Reporter, "Ragdoll," based on Daniel Cole's novel of the same name, comes from "Killing Eve" production company Sid Gentle Films and U.K. producers Alibi. "Sex Education" alum Freddy Sydborn serves as the show's lead writer as well as an executive producer. At the time it was announced, it was called a "murder thriller," adding plenty of intrigue to the ominous-sounding show. "Ragdoll" also had a rapid production timeline, with filming taking place in London from April to May 2021 (via Variety) — a shockingly quick turnaround, even for a TV show with a smaller episode count.

Here's what else we know so far about "Ragdoll," including the release date, the cast, and the plot ahead of the series premiere.

"Ragdoll" is set to air on AMC+ in late 2021, per AMC+'s official press release for the upcoming limited series (via THR). Although first-look images have been released for "Ragdoll," no official release date has been announced. However, seeing as the images are debuting in August, the frame of time to which "late 2021" applies is closing quickly. As such, we can expect "Ragdoll" to premiere sometime in fall or early winter 2021. With the first images already unveiled, a trailer will arrive soon, perhaps by mid-September. If this occurs, we should expect AMC+ to set an October or November premiere date. Given that the genre of "Ragdoll" is working in the crime thriller genre and dark comedy categories, AMC+ could time the show's premiere date to coincide with Halloween to add an extra unsettling layer to the show.

Beyond this, it's still unclear if all six episodes of "Ragdoll" will be released in one block to allow for audiences to binge-watch, or if they will premiere from week to week to keep viewers in suspense. Chances are, AMC+ will reveal its release strategy plans around the time the first trailer is released. 

The "Ragdoll" cast is led by Lucy Hale, an actress who is no stranger to starring in dark, suspenseful television dramas. Hale was confirmed as part of the "Ragdoll" cast back in March 2021. Per Deadline, Hale will play DC Lake Edmunds, the newest recruit to join a London-based investigative unit. Although she has appeared in a number of high-profile movies and TV shows in recent years, Hale is still best known for her seven-season arc as Aria Montgomery on Freeform's "Pretty Little Liars." Since wrapping on "PLL" in 2017, Hale has popped up in horror features "Truth or Dare" and "Fantasy Island," as well as the short-lived "Riverdale" spinoff "Katy Keene."

Joining Hale in "Ragdoll" is Henry Lloyd-Hughes, a British actor perhaps best known to U.S. viewers for his supporting role in the recent Netflix show "The Irregulars." Hughes was announced as a "Ragdoll" co-lead in April 2021, in addition to "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw" alum Thalisa Teixeira (via Deadline). Lloyd-Hughes is set to play DS Nathan Rose, a detective who is "recently reinstated to the London Met" and Teixeira will play DI Emily Baxter, "[Rose's] best friend and boss," per Deadline.

The official plot of "Ragdoll" was revealed through a press release from AMC+ and, subsequently, THR in February. Per AMC+'s announcement, "Ragdoll" will focus on a grisly crime involving "six people [who] have been murdered, dismembered and sewn into the shape of one grotesque body — nicknamed the 'Ragdoll.'" 

The horrific crime is assigned to a trio of detectives: DS Nathan Rose (Lloyd-Hughes), DI Emily Baxter (Teixeira), and DC Lake Edmunds. "As these three investigate the murder, "the 'Ragdoll Killer' taunts the police by sending them a list of his next victims, with Rose's name among them. And with those victims to protect, our heroes soon come under intense public scrutiny," the press release reads.

From the description, "Ragdoll" sounds like it will mix the horror of crimes founds in the cult-hit NBC show "Hannibal" will the sense of humor showcased in "Killing Eve." The latter of the two should be achieved easily, considering "Ragdoll" comes from the production company behind the popular BBC America show. AMC+ also touts "Ragdoll" as "a gruesomely imaginative serial killer thriller" that "captures the fascinating but flawed friends struggling with the consequences of institutionalization and trauma."