British thriller Missing You has quickly climbed into Netflix’s Top 10 charts in Australia delivering the kind of suspenseful storytelling fans expect from bestselling author Harlan Coben.
Key Background
Adapted from Coben’s 2014 novel, this five-part limited series follows Detective Kat Donovan as she navigates a web of personal and professional mysteries — from the disappearance of her ex-fiancé to the murder of her father. Here’s everything you need to know about Netflix’s latest must-watch thriller.
At the heart of Missing You is Kat Donovan, played by Rosalind Eleazar, a determined police officer in the Missing Persons Unit. The story takes off when Kat, still mourning her father’s murder from over a decade ago, stumbles upon her ex-fiancé’s profile on a dating app. Josh Buchanan, played by Ashley Walters, vanished without explanation 11 years earlier. His unexpected digital reappearance sets off a chain of events that intertwines past and present, leading Kat to unearth secrets she never anticipated.
As Kat digs deeper, the lines between personal vendetta and professional duty blur. Was her father’s death more than a random crime? And why did Josh disappear just after the funeral? The show raises these questions in typical Harlan Coben fashion — full of twists, betrayals, and moral grey areas.
The Cast
Missing You features a mix of familiar faces and rising stars from the UK acting scene. Here’s a quick look at the key stars:
- Rosalind Eleazar (Slow Horses, Howards End) leads as DI Kat Donovan, a woman haunted by her past but relentless in her pursuit of the truth.
- Ashley Walters (Top Boy) stars as Josh Buchanan, Kat’s ex-fiancé with a mysterious backstory.
- Richard Armitage (The Hobbit, The Stranger) plays DCI Ellis Stagger, a mentor figure with questionable intentions.
- Sir Lenny Henry appears as DS Clint Donovan, Kat’s late father whose murder kicks off much of the mystery.
- Mary Malone, a rising star, plays Aqua Vanech, a yoga instructor and close friend of Kat who holds her own secrets.
Why it’s worth watching
Harlan Coben’s Netflix adaptations have a proven track record of captivating audiences (The Stranger, Stay Close, Fool Me Once), and Missing You is no exception. What sets this series apart is its singular focus on Kat’s investigation, giving viewers a more intimate, character-driven experience.
The series also tackles themes of grief, identity, and redemption. It explores how unresolved trauma shapes our choices, making it more than just a typical crime thriller. And with a runtime of five episodes, it’s a binge-worthy weekend watch without the risk of overstaying its welcome.
