As the nights draw in, there's no better time to dive into a new, heart-pounding television series. For thriller aficionados in the UK, a critically acclaimed show has just arrived on Netflix, promising to be your next obsession. If the twisty narrative of Gone Girl left you captivated, this is the series you've been waiting for.
A Gripping Tale of Disappearance and Accusation
Absentia centres on FBI agent Emily Byrne, portrayed by Stana Katic. While hunting a notorious serial killer in Boston, Emily vanishes without a trace. With no leads, she is tragically declared dead in absentia. The story takes a shocking turn six years later when she is found alive in a remote cabin in the woods, with no memory of her missing years.
Her return is far from a happy homecoming. Emily discovers her husband has moved on, remarried, and her young son is now being raised by his new wife. As she struggles to piece her life back together, she is swiftly implicated in a fresh wave of murders, forcing her to fight to clear her name and reclaim her identity.
From Prime Video to Netflix: A New UK Home
The series originally premiered in 2017 on Amazon Prime Video in the United States, while international audiences could watch it on AXN. Absentia ran for three compelling seasons before concluding in 2020. It has now found a new and accessible home for British viewers, with all episodes available to stream on Netflix UK.
The show's arrival has generated significant buzz on social media. A TikTok user named Molly passionately recommended the series to her followers, drawing direct comparisons to the themes of Gone Girl and the character-driven intensity of the show Castle, where Stana Katic also starred as Detective Kate Beckett.
Viewers Are Calling It a 'Brilliant' Binge-Watch
Molly elaborated on the connection, stating, "Absentia feels like those episodes of Castle that were very Kate-centric. Where she'd get kidnapped or something, and things would get very intense." She added, "I used to watch Absentia while it was airing, and I was obsessed. It's so bingeable. What I would have given to be able to watch it all in one go. Which you can do because all three seasons are on Netflix now."
Her post was met with a flood of agreement from other viewers. One commenter described the show as "brilliant" and praised its "wild plots," while also expressing surprise at discovering the series was filmed in Bulgaria, not Boston. Another viewer was spooked by the accuracy of the recommendation, writing, "Girl, how did you speak exactly to me? How did you know I love both Gone Girl and Castle? I'm scared." A third simply confirmed its power to hold attention, penning, "Just finished that series the other day, it was pretty good and held my attention despite my having no attention span."
With a compelling premise, a strong lead performance, and a seal of approval from thrilled audiences, Absentia is positioned to be the next big binge-watch for UK thriller fans this season.
