56 Days – Review | Prime Video Series

56 DAYS on Prime Video is a mystery thriller series that was infinitely better than I expected. Based on the marketing for this show, I expected something along the lines of 50 Shades of Grey. However, this is more murder mystery than lots of steamy scenes. It does have that too, but when it makes sense. Read our full 56 Days series review here!

56 DAYS is a new Prime Video series. In essence, it’s a whodunit, but for the longest time, you won’t know who the victim is. In that sense, it is both about finding out who killed the person and who this person is. As a series, this is a crime, thriller, drama, romance, and mystery hybrid. Also, genre fans will notice that James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring) is one of the producers on this series!

After seeing the trailer and noticing the tone of the marketing, I did not expect much from this Prime Video production. I mean, except for the steamy scenes between the two lead characters, as this is clearly a key plot point. And, to be fair, it actually is, but it is only one plot point of many. A big part of the series also has us following the two detectives working the case, and I enjoyed this part equally.

Continue reading our 56 Days series review below. Find the series on Prime Video from February 18, 2026.

Much more than a steamy romance

In 56 Days, we follow Oliver (Avan Jogia) and Ciara (Dove Cameron) as they begin a whirlwind romance. They meet randomly in a supermarket, fall hard and fast, but could this all be too good to be true?! Well, yes. Obviously. And you will learn as much very early on. Everything from their meeting to having joint interests is part of a well-laid plan.

The whodunit murder mystery at the heart of 56 days deals with a dead body discovered fifty-six days after the two first meet.

But who is the extremely decomposed body in the bathtub? And who is responsible for the person ending up there?

Well, that’s what this Prime Video series is all about. We follow the romance evolve between Oliver and Ciara, while also being on the sidelines of the current-day investigation. The two detectives in charge of this homicide investigation are Lee Readon (Karla Souza) and Karl Connolly (Dorian Missick). Their friendship and brilliant banter made me enjoy the investigation as much as the rest of the show.

Changes from the book

In case you’re familiar with the book this Prime Video series is based on, I want to highlight a few changes. No spoilers for 56 Days, don’t worry.

However, both the time period and location have been changed from Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel, which it otherwise follows closely.

Instead of being in pandemic-era Dublin, the 56 Days series now plays out in present-day Boston. In that sense, there is no mention of anything COVID-related, and lockdown is a thing of the past. In that sense, this series adaptation does differ quite a lot.

Such a great cast

Again, I have to admit that I did not expect to care for the characters of this show, so it was a wonderful surprise to witness such nuanced and organic portrayals. And well-written characters in the first place, obviously.

With Dove Cameron as Ciara Wyse, I was completely intrigued very early on. Well, as soon as I realized that she was so much more than just eye candy. Speaking of eye candy, that job went a lot more to Avan Jogia as Oliver. He’s in great shape and gets to show this off quite a bit. Also, I have to say that the chemistry between the two leads was amazing – both in the dialogue and the steamier moments.

Also, as already mentioned, I was very happy with the scenes featuring the two homicide detectives covering the “Today” portion of the story. Quick sidenote: Don’t worry about keeping up with when we are, as this is always written clearly before we switch between scenes.

Anyway, with Karla Souza as Detective Lee Reardon and Dorian Missick as Detective Karl Connolly, we get the adult friendship that only comes from two people knowing and respecting one another. Not least because they recognize each other’s faults as well. And, trust me, quite a lot of faults will come out before this series ends!

In other key roles, we get to see Megan Peta Hill (Prey for the Bride), Patch Darragh (Birthrite), Kira Guloien (Gen V), and Jesse James Keitel (Big Sky), to name just a few.

Watch the 56 Days series on Prime Video

The Prime Video series comes from Creators and Executive Producers Lisa Zwerling and Karyn Usher. They adapted 56 Days from Catherine Ryan Howard’s best-selling novel. Also executive producing are James Wan, Michael Clear, and Rob Hackett via Atomic Monster, with Danielle Bozzone overseeing the series on behalf of the company.

Sandrine Gros d’Aillon also serves as executive producer, with book author Catherine Ryan Howard serving as co-executive producer.

All eight episodes were watched for this review, which should say a lot. I wanted to get all the answers. If this hadn’t been a good series, I would have watched a few episodes and told you that the review was based on those. Also, I have to recommend that you watch this series fairly quickly or do your damndest to avoid all spoilers. You’ll want to experience all the reveals for yourself!

56 Days is out on Prime Video with all 8 episodes on February 18, 2026.

Details

Creators: Lisa Zwerling & Karyn Usher
Cast: Dove Cameron, Avan Jogia, Karla Souza, Dorian Missick, Megan Peta Hill, Patch Darragh, Kira Guloien, Jesse James Keitel