Missing You, the latest captivating series on Netflix, immerses viewers in an intricate storyline involving detectives, untimely deaths, and the paradoxes of modern dating apps. The burning question arises: is this series inspired by real-life events? Given the prevalence of true crime narratives that often intertwine romance and controversy, it’s a legitimate inquiry.
The central narrative revolves around Detective Kat Donovan, who is taken aback upon spotting her long-gone ex-fiancé, Josh, on a dating platform—over ten years after he abruptly ceased communication. While fictional, the show certainly echoes narratives from real life, leading to speculation about whether a genuine mystery could be lurking beneath its surface.
Adaptation from Harlan Coben’s Work
To answer the question directly: Missing You is not based on a true story but is an adaptation of the acclaimed author Harlan Coben’s novel of the same title. Coben is a prolific writer with 35 published works, primarily crafting thrillers that delve into buried secrets, homicides, and themes of betrayal.
His compelling storytelling has made him a favorite for adaptations, particularly by Netflix. In 2018, he inked a significant five-year deal, which was subsequently extended by four additional years in 2022, to transform his literary works into Netflix series.
The adaptations may not always cater to highbrow tastes, but they consistently achieve remarkable ratings. Released on January 1, 2025, Missing You adds to the growing collection of Harlan Coben adaptations on Netflix, which includes:
- Safe
- The Woods
- The Innocent
- Gone for Good
- Stay Close
- Hold Tight
- The Stranger
- Fool Me Once
Real Life Elements in Fiction
While Coben’s narratives are predominantly fictional, he often draws inspiration from real individuals. Notably, he disclosed that a character named Win in his works is loosely based on his college roommate, albeit with a twist of psychopathic tendencies. Additionally, the character of Maya from Fool Me Once is inspired by a real combat pilot he met, who influenced the character’s military flashbacks.
In an insightful conversation with CBS Mornings, Coben attributed the idea for Missing You to a captivating article in the New York Times regarding the online dating landscape. To better understand this realm, he even created a fictitious dating profile, posing as a young woman seeking older partners, to gather insights for his storyline.
Reflecting on his findings, Coben remarked, “What’s kind of funny is everybody is the same when they’re online. I don’t know if it’s how we think we are or how we want to be, but all of us love adventure, travel, and cultural experiences.” He clarified that during his profile browsing, he refrained from engaging with anyone, focusing solely on observational research to inform his plot.
For those who have followed Missing You to its conclusion, it becomes evident that Coben’s extensive research adds a layer of authenticity to the context, yet the narrative unfolds with unexpected twists well beyond a conventional online dating scenario.
Missing You is currently available for streaming on Netflix, promising an enthralling viewing experience.
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