A crime thriller that has been described as "phenomenal" is winning over Netflix UK viewers, with many hooked within the first ten minutes. Absentia, which originally aired on Amazon's Prime Video between 2017 and 2020, has found a new audience since arriving on the rival streaming platform.
The show has quickly climbed the charts and is currently the fifth most-watched series among UK subscribers, competing with high-profile releases such as The Beast In Me. All three seasons are also available to stream free on Channel 5 for those without a Netflix subscription.
The series follows FBI special agent Emily Byrne, who vanishes without trace while hunting a notorious Boston serial killer and is declared dead in absentia. Six years later, she is discovered barely alive in a cabin in the woods, with no memory of her time missing. On returning home, she finds her husband has remarried and her son is being raised by his new wife, before she becomes implicated in a fresh series of murders.
Stana Katic, best known for playing Detective Kate Beckett in all eight seasons of Castle, takes the lead role. While Absentia holds a 50% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, its audience score is more favourable at 70%, with fans vocal in their praise.
One viewer said: "Right from the initial 10 minutes, it had me hooked to the screen. Surely its among the great mystery thrillers ever made." Another added: "The twists and turns can be difficult to keep track of but it’s been a long time since a series has had me so captured." A third praised Katic, saying: "Stana is phenomenal per-usual and gives an excellent performance."
