Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Apple TV’s Last Seen Wins Praise Despite Slow-Burn Mystery
Last Seen is a mystery show about a father searching for his missing daughter.
Ian’s daughter disappeared 11 years ago.
He now works as an emergency dispatcher.
One day, he gets a call from a teenage girl who might be his daughter.
This makes him start searching again.
The show reveals clues slowly instead of explaining everything right away.
Some viewers enjoy its moody Australian setting and the acting.
Other viewers think the story moves too slowly.
Last Seen premiered on 9 September as a six-part Australian thriller.
The series follows former detective Ian Ridley, whose daughter disappeared 11 years earlier.
Ian suspects a teenage caller may be his missing daughter and resumes his search.
Viewers praised the Australian setting, emotional tension and Patrick Brammall’s performance.
Some viewers found the early episodes too slow, while critics praised their gradual mystery-building.
- Who
- The series follows Ian Ridley, played by Patrick Brammall, alongside Brendan Cowell, Maxine Peake and Daniel Henshall.
- What
- Last Seen is a six-part thriller about a former detective investigating whether his missing daughter is still alive.
- When
- The series premiered on 9 September, with weekly episodes continuing through 7 October.
- Where
- The series was made and entirely shot in Australia, specifically Victoria.
- Why
- Ian resumes his search after receiving a distress call from a teenage girl he believes could be his missing daughter.
Praise for the Slow-Burn Approach
Concerns About the Pace
Storytelling speed
Praise for the Slow-Burn Approach
Supportive viewers and The Guardian praised the gradual placement of clues, saying the series builds tension without immediately revealing everything.
Concerns About the Pace
Some viewers described the show as very slow-burning, including one who rated it 6/10 and warned that it requires patience.
Atmosphere and performances
Praise for the Slow-Burn Approach
Viewers praised the grounded, moody Australian setting and Patrick Brammall’s portrayal of a tormented father who refuses to give up.
Concerns About the Pace
Viewers expecting a fast-moving mystery may find the early episodes frustrating because the disappearance and its new developments are explained gradually.
- Series
- Last Seen
- Format
- Six-part thriller
- Premiere
- 9 September
- Release schedule
- The first two episodes were released together, followed by weekly episodes through 7 October.
- Setting and production
- Made and entirely shot in Australia, in Victoria
- Source material
- Adapted from Ryan David Jahn’s novel The Dispatcher
- Creators
- Created by Kris Mrksa and directed by Christian Schwochow