Fans of gripping BBC crime dramas are hailing 'The Missing' as even better than the acclaimed 'Line of Duty'. The anthology series, which first aired in 2014, continues to attract new viewers who praise its compelling storylines, powerful performances, and twisting missing persons cases across two seasons.
Comparisons to TV Greats
On Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have drawn comparisons to some of the most celebrated shows on television. One fan wrote: 'I am enjoying Broadchurch, but I think this is even better. Totally absorbing.' Another described it as the 'closest thing to perfection I've seen on TV since Breaking Bad or The Wire,' adding they wished they could experience the brilliance again for the first time.
Plot and Setting
The first eight-part series follows the harrowing hunt for a missing boy in France, while the second focuses on a young girl who disappears in Germany. Both seasons examine the lengths parents go to in their unconditional love and the devastating impact on families left behind.
The first season stars James Nesbitt as Tony Hughes, father of the missing boy Oliver, alongside Frances O'Connor as his mother Emily. The second season, released two years later, features David Morrissey as Captain Sam Webster and Keeley Hawes as his wife Gemma.
Cultural Backdrop and Critical Acclaim
Each series is anchored in specific eras: the first unfolds against the 2006 FIFA World Cup in France, while the second centres on a British girl's disappearance near a German military base in 2003.
The show earned a 96% overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its depth of character development and emotional range. It received nominations at the Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. One review summed it up: 'Brilliant. The writers have crafted a very clever, enthralling and all too realistic storyline about children taken by reprehensible people. The characters are fleshed out with depth; you feel the pain, fear, horror, and frustrations each one feels.'
Both seasons of 'The Missing' are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
