Apple TV’s new six-episode drama 'Last Seen' premiered its first two episodes on September 25, marking the return of actor Patrick Brammall in a dramatic role. The series follows Ian Ridley, a grief-stricken police dispatcher in Canberra, Australia, who receives a call from a girl he believes to be his 3-year-old daughter, who vanished 11 years ago and was presumed dead. The call suggests she may still be alive and closer than anyone realized.
Based on Ryan David Jahn’s 2011 novel The Dispatcher, the series was adapted by Kris Mrksa and will release new episodes weekly through October 7. Brammall, known for his comedic role in Colin From Accounts, initially hesitated to take on the heavy subject matter but ultimately submitted an audition tape after encouragement from casting director Kirsty McGregor.
The drama unfolds against a backdrop of rolling seas, heavy mists, and carnival illuminations, building eerie tension as Ridley grapples with the possibility that his daughter’s disappearance was not what it seemed. The series joins a long tradition of Australian thrillers centered on vanished children, including classics like Picnic at Hanging Rock and A Cry in the Dark, which also explored real-life cases of missing children and the emotional toll on families.
Brammall’s dual role in Colin From Accounts—a romantic comedy he created, writes, and stars in alongside his wife Harriet Dyer—premiered on Paramount+ on September 26, just one day after Last Seen debuted. The contrast between his comedic and dramatic performances highlights his versatility as an actor.
Critics have noted the series’ slow-burn tension, with reviewers praising its atmospheric storytelling and Brammall’s performance as a man torn between hope and despair. The show’s premise—rooted in the psychological weight of a parent’s unresolved grief—has drawn comparisons to other missing-child narratives, though its Australian setting and unique twist set it apart.
The series is produced for Apple TV and will continue its weekly release schedule through early October.