The BBC crime drama viewers keep stumbling across and can't stop praising – with fans comparing it to Broadchurch, Breaking Bad and The Wire for its gripping storylines and powerful performances08:39, 03 Jul 2026Crime drama fans who can't resist a nail-biting series packed with unexpected twists will feel right at home with this top-rated BBC offering.‌Despite first hitting screens back in 2014, viewers appear to keep discovering this thoroughly bingeable programme, with audiences heaping praise on its storylines, performances and distinctive locations.‌The Missing is a British anthology drama, with the opening eight-part series centring on the harrowing hunt for a missing boy in France, while the second follows the disappearance of a young girl in Germany.‌Across both seasons, the show explores the lengths parents will go to driven by their unconditional love for their children, and the devastating impact that a child's disappearance can have on the families left behind.Several reviews on Rotten Tomatoes draw comparisons to some of the most celebrated programmes on television. One viewer shared: "I am enjoying Broadchurch, but I think this is even better. Totally absorbing."‌Another declared it the "closest thing to perfection I've seen on TV since Breaking Bad or The Wire". They went on to reveal they found the show to be "so good" that they wish they hadn't seen it at all, only to "experience the brilliance again".In the compelling first season, James Nesbitt takes on a central role as Tony Hughes, father of the missing child. Joining him is Frances O'Connor as Emily Hughes, Oliver's mother, whose story later sees her forge a new relationship with someone connected to her son's case.When the narrative's setting and characters shift in series two, released two years later, viewers can expect to see David Morrissey as Captain Sam Webster and Keeley Hawes portraying his wife Gemma Webster.‌Both series are anchored in specific time periods, brilliantly capturing the cultural significance of each era, with the first child's disappearance centred around the 2006 FIFA World Cup and their holiday in France. The second follows the sudden reappearance of a British girl who vanished near a German military base back in 2003.It's fair to say the show exploded in popularity after its debut series, amassing an impressive overall review score of 96%, a near-flawless Rotten Tomatoes rating. Audiences and critics alike were united in their admiration for the character development and the sheer range of emotions packed into a single storyline.‌It wasn't just television fans who recognised the show's enormous potential, as it earned nominations at some of the most prestigious awards ceremonies, having been put forward for numerous Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs upon its release.One particularly glowing review reads: "Brilliant. The writers have crafted a very clever, enthralling and all too realistic storyline about children taken by reprehensible people."The characters are fleshed out with depth; you feel the pain, fear, horror, and frustrations each one feels for their situation. And excellent casting and performances all around."Article continues belowBoth seasons of The Missing are available to stream now for free on BBC iPlayer.