Everything you need to know about Stana Katic’s thriller ‘Absentia’
There are plenty of shows that disappear for a bit and then slide back into the conversation when you least expect it, and Absentia is having that moment again. Stana Katic fans never really stopped talking about it, but Netflix giving the series a fresh home has pushed it right back into the spotlight.
The show originally dropped years ago and ran for three full seasons. It somewhat built a loyal little army of viewers who loved its dark energy and twisty pacing. Now that it is streaming on Netflix again, a whole new batch of people is discovering it for the first time, which means your timeline is about to get very loud about missing agents and questionable memories.
If you have heard the name a hundred times but never understood what the fuss was about, this is your chance to finally catch up. The return of the show is about to spark some new debates online, with, of course, Stana Katic absolutely carrying every frame.
So, whether you watched it back in 2017 or you are pressing play for the first time in 2025, here is a clean breakdown of what the series is about, who you will see on-screen, and where you can find the trailer.
What is the plot of Absentia?
FBI Special Agent Emily Byrne vanishes while chasing a serial killer and is declared legally dead after years of failed searches. When she suddenly resurfaces with no memory of where she has been, she walks straight into a life that has moved on without her.
Her husband has remarried, her son barely recognises her, and the case she left behind is still haunting everyone involved. Emily tries to piece together what happened, only to realise she may be tangled in an even bigger mystery than the one she disappeared into.
Who is in the cast?
Stana Katic leads the series as Emily Byrne, and the show makes full use of her intensity and emotional range. Patrick Heusinger plays Nick Durand, Emily’s husband and fellow FBI agent, whose world turns upside down the moment she returns.
You also have Cara Theobold joining as Alice Durand, the woman who stepped into Emily’s old life, while Patrick McAuley appears as Flynn, the young son caught in the middle. The extended cast includes Neil Jackson, Paul Freeman, Bruno Bichir, Ralph Ineson, Angel Bonanni, and several familiar faces across seasons two and three.
Is there a trailer available?
Yes, the official trailer for Absentia is available online and gives a quick taste of the show’s tone. It is the easiest way to decide whether you want to dive straight into all three seasons now that they are on Netflix.