Netflix launched a new mystery thriller on 1 January 2025: Missing You, a five-part limited series adapted from a Harlan Coben novel of the same name. The story follows Detective Kat Donovan, a missing-persons investigator whose past collides with her present when she spots the face of her long-lost fiancé on a dating app.
This marks the 10th adaptation in Netflix’s 14-book deal with the bestselling author. With a compact run of five episodes, the series attempts to weave together a dual mystery—a vanished partner and an unsolved murder—into a single, twist-heavy narrative.
Early reviews have been mixed, with some critics praising the central performance and others questioning the show’s pace. Below is a full breakdown of the cast, episode structure, plot, and early reception.
What is the Missing You 2025 TV Series About?
Detective Kat Donovan, played by Rosalind Eleazar, works as a missing-persons detective in London. Eleven years before the story begins, her fiancé Josh Buchanan disappeared without explanation, leaving Kat with no answers and no closure.
While swiping through a dating app, Kat recognises Josh’s face. His apparent reappearance pulls her back into the mystery of his disappearance, forcing her to re-examine her father’s murder and long-buried secrets from her past. The plot also involves a hitman named Monte, who is connected to the death of Kat’s father, Clint Donovan.
Missing You is adapted from a Harlan Coben novel of the same name. It is one of 14 titles in the author’s long-term adaptation deal with Netflix, which has previously produced series such as Stay Close, Fool Me Once, and The Stranger.
Overview at a glance
Key insights
- Missing You is the 10th adaptation in Netflix’s 14-book deal with Harlan Coben.
- The series uses a dual mystery: the missing fiancé and the father’s unsolved murder.
- Critics noted a slow start but engaging mid-series twists.
- All 5 episodes were released simultaneously on 1 January 2025, following a binge-release model.
Snapshot facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Title | Missing You (2025 TV series) |
| Network / Platform | Netflix |
| Release Format | Miniseries (5 episodes) |
| Release Date | 1 January 2025 |
| Created By | Harlan Coben (source material) |
| Lead Actor (Kat Donovan) | Rosalind Eleazar |
| IMDb Rating | TBD |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | TBD |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | TBD |
Who is in the Cast of Missing You?
The principal cast was announced in March 2024, ahead of the January 2025 premiere. Several actors are returning faces in Netflix’s Harlan Coben adaptation slate—Richard Armitage and James Nesbitt, for instance, have appeared in multiple Coben-based series.
Main cast
- Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Kat Donovan
- Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan
- Richard Armitage as Ellis Stagger
- Jessica Plummer as Stacey Embalo
- Lenny Henry as Clint Donovan
- Steve Pemberton as Titus
- Marc Warren as Monte Leburne / Monte
- Samantha Spiro as Nurse Sally Steiner
- Lisa Faulkner as Dana Fells
- Mary Malone as Aqua / Aqua Vanech
- James Nesbitt as Calligan
- Charlie Hamblett as Charlie Pitts
- Oscar Kennedy as Brendan Fells
Additional cast members include Jo Martin, Brigid Zengeni, Catherine Ayers, Felix Garcia Guyer, GK Barry / Grace Keeling, Kieran Burton, Rudi Dharmalingam, Alice Offley, Paul Kaye, and Matt Willis.
Who plays Detective Kat Donovan in Missing You?
Rosalind Eleazar portrays the lead character, Detective Kat Donovan. Eleazar is known for roles in The Last Tree, Deep Water, and Patrick Melrose. Her casting was confirmed in March 2024 alongside the initial announcement.
The 2025 Netflix series is unrelated to the South Korean film Missing You (2016) and the Korean drama Missing You (2013). Despite sharing similar titles, these are entirely separate projects with different plots, casts, and production teams.
How Many Episodes of Missing You Are on Netflix?
Missing You consists of five episodes. All episodes were released on Netflix on 1 January 2025, allowing viewers to binge the entire series immediately.
The series is structured as a miniseries, meaning it tells a complete story across its five episodes with a definitive ending. IMDb lists principal cast members credited across all five episodes, with some supporting roles appearing in four or three episodes.
Is Missing You a movie or a series?
It is a TV miniseries, not a film. The five-episode format is consistent with other Harlan Coben Netflix adaptations such as Fool Me Once and Stay Close.
What is the release date of Missing You on Netflix?
The series premiered globally on Netflix on 1 January 2025.
Will there be a season 2 of Missing You?
As of early 2025, Netflix has not announced a second season. The series is structured as a miniseries, which typically implies a single season. However, Netflix has renewed other miniseries in the past depending on audience demand. No confirmation exists either way at this stage.
What Are the Reviews Saying About Missing You?
Critical reception has been mixed. The Guardian published a notably harsh review, describing the series as a mystery that viewers “won’t remember … 10 minutes later.” The review characterised the show as a familiar, by-the-book Coben-style thriller with some weak dialogue, though it acknowledged Kat’s competency as a protagonist and the strength of the central hook—Josh’s reappearance on a dating app.
Other early commentary suggests the series starts slowly but picks up in the middle episodes with layered twists. Broader audience reactions remain in flux as more viewers complete the series in January 2025.
Is there a Korean version of Missing You?
There is a South Korean film titled Missing You (2016) and a Korean drama Missing You (2013), but neither is connected to the 2025 Netflix series. The Netflix adaptation is an English-language production based on a Harlan Coben novel. The similar titles have caused some confusion online.
Timeline of Key Events for Missing You
- Pre-2025: Netflix signs a 14-book deal with Harlan Coben for a series of television adaptations.
- Pre-2025: The Missing You adaptation is greenlit as part of that deal.
- March 2024: Cast announcements are publicised, including Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan.
- 1 January 2025: Missing You premieres globally on Netflix.
- January 2025 onward: Reviews are published and social media discussion peaks as audiences binge the series.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Missing You?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Missing You is a 5-episode miniseries released on Netflix on 1 January 2025. | Critical reception is mixed: some call it slow, others appreciate the layered mystery. |
| It is based on a Harlan Coben novel and is part of a multi-book Netflix deal. | Whether there will be a season 2 is unconfirmed (miniseries implies one season but Netflix may renew for another story). |
| The central character is Detective Kat Donovan, played by Rosalind Eleazar. | Confusion with Missing You (2016)—a different South Korean film with a similar title. |
| The series centres on a fiancé who disappeared 11 years ago. | Confusion with Korean drama Missing You (2013)—an unrelated project. |
How Does Missing You Fit Into the Harlan Coben Adaptation Universe?
Harlan Coben’s novels share a recognisable formula: missing persons, suburban secrets, and dual timelines. Missing You follows that blueprint closely. It is similar in tone and structure to previous Netflix adaptations such as Stay Close, Fool Me Once, and The Stranger.
The title Missing You operates on two levels. It refers literally to a missing person case—the disappeared fiancé—but also carries an emotional weight of longing and unresolved grief, an element that the series explores through Kat’s personal journey.
Several cast members are veterans of the Coben adaptation universe. Richard Armitage appeared in The Stranger, and James Nesbitt had a role in Stay Close. This continuity gives the Netflix Coben slate a consistent ensemble feel.
Where Can I Find Reviews and Official Information About Missing You?
“The 10th of Netflix’s 14-book deal with the author starts slowly and features some desperate dialogue, though once it gets going it’s…”
The Guardian review (1 January 2025)
“Detective Kat Donovan’s world unravels when she finds her estranged fiancé on a dating app.”
IMDb synopsis
“When Detective Kat Donovan matches on a dating app with the fiancé who disappeared years before, she learns that some secrets are best left in the past.”
Netflix Official Site
For further reading on British actors in major productions, see the biography of Simon Pegg – Biography, Net Worth, and The Boys Connection or Hannah John-Kamen – Biography, Age, Movies and TV Shows.
Summary
Missing You is a five-part Netflix mystery thriller adapted from a Harlan Coben novel, released on 1 January 2025. It centres on Detective Kat Donovan, played by Rosalind Eleazar, as she investigates the reappearance of her long-lost fiancé on a dating app. The series features a strong ensemble cast, including Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, and Lenny Henry. Early critical reception is mixed, with praise for the central premise but criticism of the pacing. Whether a second season will follow remains unconfirmed. For more on British actors in genre TV, the article on Simon Pegg – Biography, Net Worth, and The Boys Connection may be of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Missing You
Is Missing You a movie or a series?
Missing You (2025) is a TV miniseries consisting of 5 episodes.
Is Missing You based on a book?
Yes, it is based on a Harlan Coben novel, part of Netflix’s multi-book adaptation deal.
Is there a Korean version of Missing You?
There is a South Korean film titled Missing You (2016) and a Korean drama Missing You (2013), but neither is related to this 2025 Netflix series.
Will there be a season 2 of Missing You?
As of early 2025, Netflix has not announced a season 2. The series is structured as a miniseries.
Who plays Detective Kat Donovan in Missing You?
Rosalind Eleazar portrays Detective Kat Donovan in the series.
How many episodes of Missing You are on Netflix?
Five episodes. All were released on 1 January 2025.
What is the release date of Missing You on Netflix?
The series premiered globally on Netflix on 1 January 2025.
Is Missing You related to other Harlan Coben Netflix adaptations?
Yes. It is the 10th adaptation in Netflix’s 14-book deal with Harlan Coben, alongside Stay Close, Fool Me Once, and The Stranger.
What genre is Missing You?
It is a mystery thriller and crime drama.
Why is the series called Missing You?
The title refers both to a missing-person case and to the emotional weight of longing and unresolved grief central to the story.
Daniel Mercer is Playlists & Discovery Editor at PlaylisterUK.co.uk, covering playlist culture, music discovery, emerging artists, streaming trends and genre guides.