Olivia Colman has made a habit of bringing us mesmerising performances – from Broadchurch to The Crown to The Night Manager – but one that might have passed you by is The Lost Daughter. The outstanding drama stars Olivia as Led, a mother whose holiday takes a seemingly strange turn when she becomes infatuated with a mother and daughter on the beach - and her performance is so good, we’d say it’s even better than The Night Manager.
The film, which first aired in 2021, is raw, moving and sometimes quite uncomfortable to watch. Leda, a mother herself, is quietly complex and has built a hugely successful career as a professor of literature, but she’s also haunted by her experiences of motherhood and what it meant for her, which becomes clear when she meets Nina (Dakota Johnson) and daughter, Elena.
With the film now available to stream, here’s everything you need to know about The Lost Daughter, including the full plot, cast and where to watch it.
What is The Lost Daughter about?
Adapted from Elena Ferrante’s 2006 novel, the film is a deeply honest exploration of motherhood and the often unspoken emotions that come with. At the centre of it is Olivia Colman’s Leda, who becomes fixated on a young mother, Nina (Dakota Johnson) and daughter, Elena, while on holiday in Greece. The relationship between the pair – and Nina’s struggle with the demands of her daughter - awakens memories from the past, specifically Leda’s own experiences of early motherhood.
Impulsively, Leda steals the daughter’s doll and despite the impact it has not only Elena but her mother too, Leda holds onto it. All the while, Leda’s own motherhood story is told in flashbacks. We soon learn that Leda abandoned her young daughters for several years to pursue her career and the result is an intense, thought-provoking film that raises as many questions as it answers.
In an interview with the BBC, Olivia explained how that Leda is unlike other characters she’s played – and seen – before on screen. “I don't recall seeing a woman like Leda depicted on screen before,” she said. "It's searingly honest, the depiction of not necessarily being a great mum.”
"I've always felt that I'm a better mummy when I feel creatively fulfilled, so I'm very lucky, I get to do both things. I love my job and I get to have lots of time with my children.
“But when young Leda doesn't feel like her partner is as appreciative of her brain and her ability as his own, that's where things start to go wrong. I can really understand why she's at the end of her tether. She's not being seen and heard.”
Who’s in the cast of The Lost Daughter?
The cast of The Lost Daughter includes:
- Olivia Colman as older Leda
- Jessie Buckley as younger Leda
- Dakota Johnson as Nina
- Paul Mescal as Will
- Dagmara Domińczyk as Callisto "Callie"
- Peter Sarsgaard as Professor Hardy
- Ed Harris as Lyle
- Jack Farthing as Joe
Is there a trailer for The Lost Daughter?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for The Lost Daughter below.
Is The Lost Daughter any good?
Yes – if you need any more proof of how brilliant Olivia Colman is, you’ll find it in The Lost Daughter. The genius of the film isn’t necessarily in the plot, but in the emotional journey we go on with Olivia and all the ambiguities that come with it. It’s fantastic enough to captivate you right until the very final moments.
How can I watch The Lost Daughter?
The Lost Daughter is available to watch now on Netflix.
What other Olivia Colman dramas can I watch now?
For a particularly moving watch, we’d recommend The Father. Anthony Hopkins is 80-year-old Anthony, a father with dementia who’s determined to carry life as normal. His daughter, Anne (Olivia), wants to help – but the reality is far from simple. You can watch The Father on Prime Video. We’d also highly recommend The Roses. Olivia plays one half of a warring couple, Theo and Ivy, who enter an epic divorce battle that’s as bitter as it is hilarious. The Roses is available to watch now on Disney+. For more great Olivia Colman dramas you can watch now, see our pick of her best roles here.
