Last Seen – Review | Apple TV Series

LAST SEEN on Apple TV is a thriller series with a plot that I’m sure most will consider their worst nightmare. This is an Australian series, which means it takes place in Australia, but the story is so universal that it could take place anywhere. It is brutal, fascinating, and engaging. Read our Last Seen series review here!

LAST SEEN is an Apple TV series from Australia. The thriller series has six episodes and is based on a best-selling novel. However, anyone who has read the book will notice some rather radical changes. In fact, it’s better to think of this Apple TV series as “inspired by” rather than as an adaptation. Just to manage your expectations.

Having said this, I am not saying that this isn’t a good series. It absolutely is a good watch, despite also being an absolute nightmare for the main characters. It’s brutal and fascinating, with an amazing cast and a storyline that offers both predictable twists and a few surprises along the way.

Continue reading our Last Seen series review below. Start watching on Apple TV on September 9, 2026.

Living through and with the worst nightmare

Last Seen is the story of Maggie’s disappearance. Or rather, it’s the story of how her father, police detective Ian Ridley (Patrick Brammall), has dealt with it. His life fell apart 11 years ago when his young daughter disappeared without a trace. Ever since that day, he has been hoping for any sign that she’s still alive. Hoping that something will somehow turn up.

In the present, he is working as a police dispatcher, which seems to finally be helping him stay sober. He still refuses to accept that Maggie (or “Marg”, as she is also called) is gone forever.

One day, his hope appears to be rewarded when he receives a distress call from a teenage girl. Based on the very few things she says, he is convinced that she is his missing daughter, Maggie. Now, Ian is ready to do whatever it takes to find her and finally reunite every aspect of his broken family.

And no, obviously, it won’t be that simple. The devil is in the details, and in Last Seen, you never know what will come next. Also, we’re in Australia, and as anyone who has watched Wolf Creek or Penny Lane is Dead will know, you can get away with horrifying actions in those rural areas.

Interesting characters and a great cast

Most of the scenes in Last Seen tend to be heartbreaking or extremely emotional in some other way. I mean, we are dealing with a little girl being abducted and the aftermath of this. Not just the immediate aftermath, but rather those long-lasting effects. Especially in the present, when it suddenly appears possible that the missing girl is still alive.

The star of Last Seen on Apple TV is Patrick Brammall. An Australian actor you may recognize from the amazing Glitch series, or, most recently, The Devil Wears Prada 2. He portrays the father of the missing girl, who has been lost in an alcoholic slump. During this period, he lost his marriage and his son. Sure, he is still good friends with his ex-wife, but the relationship with his son is trickier.

Long story short, the son is very aware that his dad blames him for what happened. At least to some degree.

Strong supporting cast

The son is portrayed by Tobias Muhafidin, who delivers a strong performance. The same goes for Jessica Wren (Mr. Inbetween), Maggie’s mother, and the ex-wife of Ian. For a lot of this Apple TV series, she has plenty of reason to be or get angry with her ex-husband.

Often, she handles situations remarkably well. Better than I ever would have, but this appears to be how she has rebuilt her life. Unlike her ex-husband, who drank a lot of his pain away in the years between the disappearance of their daughter and this latest hopeful situation. Speaking of… the girl Ian believes to be his daughter is portrayed with tenderness and grit by newcomer Chloe Jean Lourdes.

Finally, you can also look forward to Brendan Cowell (Avatar: Fire and Ash, Dune: Prophecy), Maxine Peake (Black Mirror), Daniel Henshall (Okja, Mickey 17), and Zahra Newman (Pieces of Her, Leviticus) in other key roles.

Watch the Last Seen series on Apple TV

The Emmy Award-nominated filmmaker Christian Schwochow (The Crown) directs and executive produces the series. The entire storyline is set in Victoria, Australia, where it was also filmed. The Apple TV thriller series is based on author Ryan David Jahn’s book “The Dispatcher”.

Adapting the book is acclaimed writer and executive producer Kris Mrksa, who worked on Glitch and created the series Protection (2024) and Requiem (2018). Other writers include Giula Sandler (Savage River) and Alexei Mizin & Ryan van Dijk (Watching You).

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Executive producers on the Apple TV series include Jamie Laurenson and Hakan Kousetta at 60Forty Films (Hijack, Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road), and Joanna Werner (The Newsreader, Riot, Clickbait) at Werner Film Productions.

Last Seen will debut with two episodes, followed by a new episode every Wednesday until October 7, 2026. For me, this Australian thriller series got me hooked immediately. I have not read the book, but from what I gather, quite a lot has been changed. Watch this Apple TV series as a solid thriller mystery, but don’t think you’ve got it all worked out.

Last Seen premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Details

Creator: Kris Mrksa
Director: Christian Schwochow
Writers: Kris Mrksa, Alexei Mizin, Giula Sandler, Ryan van Dijk (based on the novel by Ryan David Jahn)
Cast: Patrick Brammall, Maxine Peake, Brendan Cowell, Daniel Henshall, Zahra Newman, Jessica Wren, Tobias Muhafidin, Chloe Jean Lourdes