Where the Crawdads Sing, a gripping dramatic thriller on TF1

Where the Crawdads Sing is an American dramatic thriller directed by Olivia Newman, released in theaters on August 17, 2022. Adapted from Delia Owens’ bestselling novel, the film will be broadcast on TF1 on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 9:15 PM. Led by Daisy Edgar-Jones, alongside Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson, the movie blends coming-of-age drama, survival story, and courtroom intrigue, set against the lush, swampy landscapes of North Carolina.

Abandoned at a very young age, Kya grows up alone in the wild marshes of North Carolina. Known as the "Marsh Girl," she lives on the fringes of the Barkley Cove community, fueling rumors and suspicion. Resilient and sensitive, she finds solace in nature, which she carefully observes and sketches with great detail.

When Kya becomes close to two young men from town, she steps into a world that’s both fresh and turbulent. But everything changes when the body of one of them is discovered: the entire community quickly labels her as the prime suspect. As the investigation unfolds, long-buried secrets lurking in the marshes threaten to come back to light.

The trailer for The Where Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing

The film is adapted from the eponymous novel by Delia Owens, published in 2018 and selling over 12 million copies worldwide. A trained zoologist, the author drew inspiration from her childhood and her close connection to nature to craft her debut work of fiction. The title, deliberately mysterious, alludes to a familiar phrase suggesting a place "where nature remains untouched," even though, of course, crayfish don’t sing.

The project was developed by Hello Sunshine, the company founded by Reese Witherspoon. Enthralled by the novel—which she devoured in a single day—the actress turned producer chose it for her book club, helping to propel its international success.

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True to Hello Sunshine’s editorial vision, Where the Crawdads Sing is driven by a predominantly female creative team. Led by director Olivia Newman, the project also features screenwriter Lucy Alibar, producers Reese Witherspoon, Lauren Neustadter, and Elizabeth Gabler, along with cinematographer Polly Morgan and production designer Sue Chan. This team selection reflects a commitment to diversity and aligns with the nuanced perspective on the character of Kya.

To portray Kya, Daisy Edgar-Jones underwent extensive preparation. The British actress worked with a specialized dialect coach to master a Southern American accent, practiced navigating canoes through marshes, and honed the artistic skills of her character. The sketches and paintings attributed to Kya were created in collaboration with art director Kirby Feagan to lend authenticity to the role.

The film was primarily shot in Louisiana and Florida, focusing on swampy areas near New Orleans. The small town of Houma stood in for Barkley Cove on screen. Kya’s cabin was entirely constructed on location within the natural settings of Fairview-Riverside Park to maintain an authentic, immersive swamp environment.

The film's soundtrack is composed by Mychael Danna, an Oscar-winning composer for Life of Pi. He blends traditional instruments from the southern United States with sounds produced by shells and conch shells, crafting a hypnotic atmosphere that evokes the primal voice of the swamp. The original score also features the exclusive track Carolina, written and performed by Taylor Swift, who received a Golden Globe nomination in 2023.

Where the Crawdads Sing
Film | 2022
In theaters from August 17, 2022
TV Premiere: January 11, 2026, at 9:15 PM on TF1
Drama, Thriller | Runtime: 2h05
Directed by Olivia Newman | Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson
Original title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Country: United States

Blending elements of psychological drama and thriller, Where the Crawdads Sing delivers a gripping story of survival and self-discovery. Centered around a solitary heroine and set against a lush natural backdrop that almost takes on a character of its own, the film immerses viewers in a world where isolation and resilience intertwine.

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