Apple TV's New 6-Part Crime Thriller Is the Perfect Weekend Binge

Published Oct 17, 2026, 7:48 AM EDT

Erin Konrad's love for everything entertainment dates back to elementary school when she became obsessed with classic Hollywood musicals. When she's not catching up on all her favorite television shows, she's advising her friends and family on what they should binge watch next.

She has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Creating content for Collider gives her the opportunity to combine her writing skills with her passion for television and movies. She spends her free time trying to beat her personal record of reading 137 books in a year and cuddling with her dog, Gracie.

There have been some truly fantastic crime thrillers released lately, with shows like I Will Find You, The Beast in Me, and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Whether you like being an armchair detective or just enjoy being absorbed in a suspenseful series, crime thrillers make for the perfect binge-watch. Now, there's one more Apple TV limited series in this realm that deserves a spot on your weekend watchlist.

What Is 'Last Seen' About?

Last Seen, which premiered on Apple TV last month, is a twisty, fascinating story that draws you further into the lives of its complex characters. The series follows Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall), a former police officer whose daughter went missing when she was a child. It's been 11 years since Maggie Ridley's disappearance; now working as an emergency dispatcher, Ian is barely hanging on. He leans on his AA sponsor, Donald (Daniel Henshall), but keeps relapsing.

Things truly go off the rails when the body of a little girl is found in a remote area near the home Ian's daughter was kidnapped from. But the biggest twist of the series occurs when Ian learns that the body doesn't actually belong to Maggie, which begs an even bigger question: what really happened to his daughter? When an adolescent girl named Sarah (Chloe Jean Lourdes), who's been living with her religious, off-the-grid parents, Henry (Brendan Cowell) and Jenna (Maxine Peake), makes a fateful phone call to emergency services, Ian begins to seriously consider the possibility that Maggie might still be alive after all.

'Last Seen' Is a Heart-Wrenching Thrill Ride

One of Last Seen's biggest strengths is that the story is told within six episodes, with each installment packing in action and in-depth storytelling. There's no filler here, and every scene either progresses the mystery of Mags' disappearance or helps viewers better understand the grief and loss that characters have experienced. Through both flashbacks and present-day plot developments, Last Seen ensures that the true effects of trauma are illustrated through each main player. By realistically depicting emotional suffering and addiction, the thriller demonstrates the long-lasting and devastating effects of a brutal crime.

Last Seen also benefits from a wildly talented cast. Brammall, who has made a splash with his roles in Colin from Accounts and as Anne Hathaway's love interest in The Devil Wears Prada 2, strikes the perfect balance between a vulnerable and authentic father and a driven action hero. Cowell, who ironically bears a resemblance to Brammall, is riveting as a husband and father blinded by his own desires, while Peake's Jenna is also moving as a woman who has become locked into a life of secrets. Jessica Wren offers a layered performance as Ian's ex-wife and Maggie's mother, and her chemistry with Brammall illustrates what a happy family they once were before the daughter's kidnapping. The real surprise within the show's ensemble is Lourdes, who delivers a breakout performance and portrays her complex character with depth and heart.

Last Seen wraps up with a solid conclusion that mostly answers any questions the viewer might have. Even though it was originally billed as a limited series, the story could continue with these compelling characters if the writers choose to. Although there's no word on a Season 2, for now, these six bingeable episodes will fit the bill if you're looking for a top-notch crime thriller.

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