The gripping thriller Absentia has just landed on Netflix, introducing a new wave of viewers to the tense drama that first captivated audiences on Prime Video back in 2017.
Featuring a star-studded cast led by Stana Katic, the series follows FBI agent Emily Byrne, who vanishes while hunting a notorious Boston serial killer. After being declared dead in absentia, she is shockingly discovered alive six years later in a woodland cabin, with no memory of her missing years. Her return plunges her directly into a fresh series of murders, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
How Many Series of Absentia Are There?
The show's journey unfolded across three intense series. Following its 2017 debut, Absentia was recommissioned for a second series, which launched in March 2019. The story continued with a third series, which began broadcasting exclusively on Prime Video in July 2020.
In total, there are three series comprising 10 episodes each, offering 30 episodes for fans to binge-watch on Netflix. The programme was, however, axed after its third run, but this was always the creators' intended plan.
The Reason Behind the Show's Conclusion
Contrary to being an abrupt cancellation, the end of Absentia was a deliberate creative decision. Lead actress Stana Katic, who portrayed the central character Emily, confirmed that the show was designed to be a three-season story.
In a farewell post on X at the time, Katic shared her reflections, stating: "Although we've danced with the idea of continuing the tale, Absentia was always meant to be only three seasons, and I couldn't think of a better note to end on... for any person on this planet, but especially Emily and her loved ones."
She elaborated on the profound experience, noting: "When they asked me in January 2017 if I was ready to spend three years in Bulgaria shooting a cable TV series, I had no idea what I was in for. I could never have imagined the creative partnerships and the friendships that would form and enrich my life."
Katic concluded that three seasons was the perfect amount of space for what she described as a "beautiful, complicated and wonderfully fulfilling journey." This planned arc ensures a complete and satisfying narrative for viewers discovering the show on its new platform.
All episodes of Absentia are now available to stream on Netflix.
