Harlan Coben’s eagerly awaited new series ‘Missing You’ has finally made its way onto Netflix, but not all critics are enthused about the show.
Launched on New Year’s Day, a year after the highly acclaimed Michelle Keegan-led ‘Fool Me Once’, the show centres on Katy Donovan as she encounters her partner on a dating platform, a man she last saw a decade ago.
With viewers’ expectations soaring following its successful forerunner, ‘Missing You’ boasts a glittering cast featuring the talents of ‘Top Boy’s Ashley Walters, ‘EastEnders’ Jessica Plummer, Rosalind Eleazar, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt and Lisa Faulkner.
Although the cast has garnered praise from reviewers, opinions are divided over the chemistry between the lead actors.
Critics aren’t sure about the chemistry between the leads
The Independent’s critic Nick Hilton only awarded the drama two stars saying: “Of course, nobody, at this point, watches a Harlan Coben adaptation for the gripping interpersonal chemistry. This is television for the shattered attention span.
“Every few minutes there’s a new twist to trigger the dopamine receptors in your brain and try to keep you from doom scrolling on Instagram for another few minutes, until the next twist.
“There’s a sort of intellectual dishonesty to basing so much of your narrative on faulty information, but viewers won’t care so long as the cliffhangers and gasp-inducing revelations keep coming. ‘It’s not subtle, but it is effective.”
The Standard’s Hayley Spencer has dubbed it the ideal post-New Year series for a binge-watch.
Netflix thriller Missing You has landed
She said: “So as long as you’re not expecting small screen mastery, or indeed the performance of year (it is the first of January after all) then do go forth and gobble up this latest Coben drama.
“It will fill the void on this final languid sofa day of the festive season. And give you plenty of opportunities for some second screen-time alongside watching – this is not drama that needs your undivided attention.”, reports the Mirror.
Meanwhile, just hours into 2025, fans are already devouring the series and expressing their approval online.
One enthusiastic viewer tweeted: “New Year, same me. Starting the day with a Netflix binge I think. See what #MissingYou has to offer.”
(Image: Vishal Sharma/Netflix)
Another said: “Currently watching @HarlanCoben #MissingYou on Netflix … so far so good”, while a third shared: “Started this 2025 series and it is looking good already #Netflix #Missingyou.”
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