New BBC series shows 'shocking truth' behind insane model kidnap case
A new BBC drama has revealed the 'shocking truth' behind the kidnap of model Chloe Ayling.
The series, Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story, will focus on how Chloe was lured to Milan, believing she was travelling there for a photoshoot.
Chloe's horrific ordeal began when she arrived at the address she had been given, only to be abducted and drugged by two men.
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It was the start of a horrifying experience which lasted for days.
Chloe, who was just 20 at the time, was held at ransom at a farmhouse in Turin by kidnappers Lukasz Herba and his brother Michal.
The two men, who claimed to be from a terror organisation called The Black Death Group, told her they would sell her as a sex slave on the dark web if they were not paid €300,000 (£265,000).
The brothers held her captive in a farmhouse in Turin for six days - but the model managed to convince her kidnappers to let her go after explaining that she had a young son.
The two men were arrested by authorities and Lukasz was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in prison, while his brother, Michał, was given 16 years and eight months in prison.
Now, the shocking story has been turned into a BBC series, directed by Without Sin’s Al Mackay, and produced by Viewpoint’s Clare Shepherd.
The six-part series is based on police interviews, court transcripts and personal accounts.
The drama will also address how Chloe was accused of faking her abduction, with some people believing it had all been a publicity stunt.
Speaking to The Times ahead of the drama, Chloe said: "Seeing it gave me chills because it’s such a relief. People will see all the evidence against [the Herbas] laid out word for word, without bias.
"At the time everything was so focused on me and no one was interested in how the brothers were changing their story every second to completely contradictory ones."
The show's writer, Georgia Lester, who has worked on Killing Eve and Skins - said: "I think the wider story here is about how we treat victims, specifically women.
"It feels like a timely and important drama."
Chloe will be portrayed by Nadia Parkes in the series. Also starring is Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Lindsay, Julian Swiezewski and Olive Gray.
Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story will air on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 14 August.
Topics: TV and Film, BBC, Crime
Lucy Devine