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Episode
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Absentia

Absentia

20177
DramaKrimMystikk
Utgitt
25. sep. 2017
Land
USA
Produksjoner
Masha ProductionsMedia Brat ProductionsBizu Productions
En forsvunnet FBI-agent dukker opp igjen seks år etter å ha blitt erklært død.

About

Quick guide

An FBI agent presumed dead returns after six years, entangled in new murders.

Abstentia centers on FBI special agent Emily Byrne, who disappears while hunting a serial killer and is declared dead. Six years later she is found alive in a cabin, suffering memory loss. Returning to Boston, she confronts a changed family and becomes a suspect in fresh murders. The series blends procedural investigation with psychological drama, exploring the impact of trauma on personal relationships. Set in the city’s gritty streets, it follows Emily’s relentless pursuit of truth amid institutional mistrust and hidden motives. With sharp dialogue and tense pacing, Abstentia offers a dark, character‑driven narrative that keeps viewers questioning identity and justice.

What to know

  • FBI agent Emily Byrne returns after six years.
  • Boston setting with procedural investigations.
  • Dark tone with psychological depth.
  • Family relationships are central to the plot.
  • Some gore and strong language present.
  • Episodes run approximately 42 minutes.

Watch if

If you enjoy tightly paced procedural dramas that delve into psychological trauma, and appreciate dialogue‑heavy storytelling with a dark, gritty tone, Absentia offers a compelling mystery of identity and justice.

Skip if

If you prefer light‑hearted family dramas or are uncomfortable with violence, strong language and dark themes, Absentia may not be the right choice for you.

crime violencedark tonedialogue heavyinvestigation heavypsychological elementssuspensefulsome gorelanguage somelanguage strong
Premise in a Nutshell
Premise in a Nutshell: FBI special agent Emily Byrne goes missing while investigating a notorious serial killer. Declared dead, she is later found alive after six years with no memory of her captivity. Back in Boston, she confronts a new family reality and becomes a suspect in fresh murders.
Main Cast Overview
Main Cast Overview: Stana Katic leads as Emily Byrne. Patrick Heusinger portrays her husband Nick, a fellow FBI agent. Supporting roles include Cara Theobold as Nick’s wife Alice, Neil Jackson as Emily’s brother Jack, and Bruno Bichir as psychologist Daniel Vega, among others.
Production & Filming
Production & Filming: The series was produced by Sony Pictures Television and Masha Productions for the first two seasons, then by Media Brat, Bizu, and Gemstone for season three. Every episode was filmed in Bulgaria, with director Oded Ruskin overseeing all ten episodes of the first season, which was shot in a single block.
Broadcast History Overview
Broadcast History Overview: Absentia premiered on September 25, 2017, on Amazon Prime Video in the United States and on AXN internationally. Subsequent seasons aired on AXN and Prime Video, with the third season released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in July 2020. The series later became available on Netflix worldwide.
Tone & Style
Tone & Style: Absentia blends crime‑thriller suspense with psychological depth. The narrative is dialogue‑heavy and investigative, featuring complex characters and moral ambiguity. Dark tones, occasional gore, and strong language create a gritty atmosphere that keeps viewers engaged in a relentless pursuit of truth.
Critical Reception Snapshot
Critical Reception Snapshot: Reviewers praised Absentia for its strong lead performance and intricate mystery, though some felt the pacing was uneven. Rotten Tomatoes awarded a 50% approval for season one, while Metacritic gave it a 59/100, reflecting a mixed but generally positive response from critics.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters: Absentia offers a fresh take on procedural dramas by focusing on a protagonist battling amnesia and suspicion. It highlights the emotional toll of law enforcement careers, the complexities of family dynamics, and the relentless pursuit of truth, making it a compelling watch for fans of deep crime narratives.

FAQ

50 Q&A
Who is Emily Byrne?
Emily Byrne is the main character, an FBI agent who reappears after being missing for six years.
Who is the mole in the organization?
The mole in the organization is revealed to be Julianne Gunnarsen.
What is Project Jericho?
Project Jericho is a secret government operation that Emily Byrne was investigating.
What happened to Emily Byrne when she disappeared?
When Emily Byrne disappeared, she was held captive by Conrad Harlow.
What is Cal's relationship to Emily?
Cal is Emily's brother-in-law, married to her sister Alice.
What is the relationship between Emily and Flynn?
Flynn is Emily's son.
Who is Cal?
Cal is Emily Byrne's brother-in-law and a detective.
Who is Nick Durand?
Nick Durand is Emily's former FBI partner and ex-husband.
Who is Julianne Gunnarsen?
Julianne Gunnarsen is an FBI agent and a key figure in the investigation, later revealed to be involved in a conspiracy.
Where was Emily Byrne found?
Emily Byrne was found in a cabin in the woods.
What is Jack Byrne's relationship to Emily?
Jack Byrne is Emily's father.
Who is Conrad Harlow?
Conrad Harlow is a wealthy and powerful man who held Emily captive.
What is Meridian?
Meridian is a shadowy organization involved in illegal activities and connected to Emily's case.
What happened to Alice Durand?
Alice Durand, Emily's sister, was murdered.
Was Conrad Harlow the serial killer?
Conrad Harlow was not the serial killer, but he was responsible for Emily's abduction.
What is the relationship between Emily and Nick?
Emily and Nick Durand are ex-husband and wife and former FBI partners.
What is Gunnarsen's role in the story?
Julianne Gunnarsen plays a complex role, initially helping Emily but later revealed to be part of a conspiracy.
Did Emily Byrne have amnesia when she returned?
Yes, Emily Byrne suffered from amnesia when she returned.
How long was Emily Byrne missing?
Emily Byrne was missing for six years.
Who is Jack Byrne?
Jack Byrne is Emily's father.
Who is Robert Semerov?
Robert Semerov is a criminal connected to Meridian and involved in Emily's past.
Who is Flynn Durand?
Flynn Durand is Emily and Nick's son.
Who is Alice Durand?
Alice Durand is Emily's sister and Cal's wife.
What is the relationship between Nick and Alice?
Nick and Alice Durand are siblings.
Was Robert Semerov involved in Emily's disappearance?
Yes, Robert Semerov was involved in Emily's disappearance.
What were Dr. Shen's experiments?
Dr. Shen experimented with mind control and memory manipulation on kidnapped people.
What was the role of Kelly Price/Regina?
Kelly Price, also known as Regina, was a victim of Dr. Shen's experiments and later helped Emily.
Why was Emily kidnapped?
Emily was kidnapped as part of Dr. Shen's illegal experiments involving human trafficking and mind control.
What happened to Nick and Flynn at the end?
Nick and Flynn were safe and living a new life after the events of the series.
What is Emily doing in Europe?
Emily was in Europe trying to expose a criminal conspiracy and protect her family.
Where did Emily go at the end of the series?
Emily went into hiding to protect herself and her son, Flynn.
Who plays Flynn Durand?
Patrick McAuley plays Flynn Durand.
Did Emily rescue Nick?
Emily did not rescue Nick; they were separated for a long time.
Who plays Nick Durand?
Patrick Heusinger plays Nick Durand.
Does Cal reappear in Emily's life?
Cal reappear in Emily's life and helped her with her investigations.
Did Nick and Alice stay together?
Nick and Alice did not stay together; their relationship ended.
What happened to the organ harvesting ring?
The organ harvesting ring was exposed and dismantled by Emily and her allies.
Who was behind Emily's kidnapping?
Dr. Shen and a criminal organization were behind Emily's kidnapping.
What is the meaning of the title 'Absentia'?
The title 'Absentia' refers to Emily's long absence and the legal declaration of her death.
What happened to Agent Adam Radford?
Agent Adam Radford was killed while investigating the criminal conspiracy.
What happened to Tommy Gibbs?
Tommy Gibbs was arrested for his involvement in the criminal activities.
Were children trained in the organization?
Yes, children were trained and used by the criminal organization.
Who is Logan Brandt and what is her connection to Emily?
Logan Brandt was a former FBI agent who had a past connection with Emily's abductor.
Was the conspiracy fully defeated?
The main conspiracy was defeated, but elements of it may have persisted.
What is the significance of the bleeding eye visions?
The bleeding eye visions were psychological side effects of the experiments and trauma Emily endured.
Where was the series 'Absentia' filmed?
The series 'Absentia' was filmed in Bulgaria.
Did Nick and Emily get back together?
Nick and Emily did not get back together romantically; they focused on protecting Flynn.
What happened to Gunnarson?
Gunnarson was a mercenary who was eventually killed.
Who is the main actress in Absentia?
Stana Katic is the main actress in Absentia.
Why did Nick and Emily fake their deaths?
Nick and Emily did not fake their deaths; Emily was presumed dead after her long abduction.

Skuespillere

Stana Katic
Stana Katic
Emily Byrne
Patrick Heusinger
Patrick Heusinger
Nick Durand
Neil Jackson
Neil Jackson
Jack Byrne
Matthew Le Nevez
Matthew Le Nevez
Cal Isaac
Natasha Little
Natasha Little
Julianne Gunnarsen
Christopher Colquhoun
Christopher Colquhoun
Agent Derek Crown
Paul Freeman
Paul Freeman
Warren Byrne
Patrick McAuley
Patrick McAuley
Flynn Durand