As a dedicated gamer and Netflix enthusiast, I have to say that Missing You has quickly become one of my favorite binge-worthy series this year! The intricate plot, filled with twists and turns, is right up my alley, and it’s always exciting to see how the story unfolds.

I must admit, I initially thought the show was based on a true story, given the recent trend of love scandals in true crime documentaries. However, upon further research, I learned that Missing You is actually adapted from Harlan Coben’s best-selling novel of the same name.

As someone who has read several of his books and watched many of the Netflix adaptations based on them, I can attest to their ability to captivate audiences with their suspenseful plots revolving around buried secrets, murders, and betrayals. The fact that Coben is involved as an executive producer ensures that each adaptation maintains a high level of quality and keeps viewers hooked.

Although the stories are fictional, it’s fascinating to learn that certain characters have been inspired by real people. For example, I was particularly intrigued by the revelation that “Win” is loosely based on Coben’s college roommate – who, thankfully, is less psychotic in real life than his fictional counterpart!

Overall, Missing You is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good thriller and can appreciate the skillful storytelling of Harlan Coben. And if you’re curious about the inspiration behind the show, you might find yourself Googling your own college roommates, just in case!

As a final note, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of Coben creating a fake dating profile to research online dating for Missing You – talk about going deep undercover! It just goes to show that sometimes, the truth can be even stranger than fiction.

Is “Missing You” the new Netflix show that has everyone hooked, with its intricate storyline revolving around investigators, fatalities, and online dating platforms – but could it be a real-life account?

It’s a fair enough question to ask. Out of all the new true crime documentaries to drop each month, you’ll often find some sort of love scandal at the heart of at least one title. 

The storyline in “Missing You” revolves around Detective Kat Donovan, who encounters an unexpected surprise when she finds her former fiancé, Josh, on a dating platform – over a decade after he disappeared from her life without a trace.

Despite being a work of fiction, the events in the new TV series seem reminiscent of real-world mysteries. Could it be possible that a similar true mystery lies hidden within the intricate storyline of Missing You?

Missing You is based on a Harlan Coben novel

To clarify, “Missing You” is not derived from real events, but rather, it’s an adaptation from Harlan Coben’s renowned novel with the same title.

An American writer has penned over 35 captivating mystery-thrillers so far, focusing on themes such as hidden truths, killings, and deceit.

Essentially, these works are ideal for television and movie versions, as demonstrated by his Netflix agreement.

In the year 2018, he sealed a contract that spanned five years for the transformation of his books into Netflix series. Harlan Coben took up the role of executive producer for every show, and this agreement got an additional extension of four years in 2022.

As a devoted viewer, I must admit that while these shows aren’t typically associated with intellectual sophistication, each adaptation has proven to be an undeniable ratings sensation.

On January 1, 2025, “Missing You” was added to Netflix’s lineup of shows based on works by Harlan Coben. It joins other titles in this collection, such as:

  • Safe
  • The Woods
  • The Innocent
  • Gone for Good
  • Stay Close
  • Hold Tight
  • The Stranger
  • Fool Me Once

Coben does take inspiration from real life

In his fiction, every character is original, but some personalities were influenced by actual individuals. To illustrate, he himself admitted on his website that “Win bears a loose resemblance to my college roommate; however, in reality, he’s less… shall we say, disturbed than the fictional version of him.

Just like the character Maya in Fool Me Once, whose flashbacks stem from her military past, was inspired by a genuine individual as well.

During an interview with CBS Mornings, Coben shared, “I encountered one of the early female combat pilots in the Middle East, and she was incredibly impressive. This inspired me to create a character based on her.

Similarly, he told the outlet that the idea for Missing You came about after a New York Times article he read and the world of online dating. 

His research didn’t stop at just that; instead, he went on to devise a fictitious dating profile, posing as a younger woman looking for older women, in order to delve deeper into this realm.

In my personal observation, I find it intriguing how similar people tend to behave online, myself included. It’s as if we all shed our unique identities and don a uniform of shared interests when we step into the digital world. Whether it’s our genuine personas or idealized versions of ourselves, it seems that we all share a love for adventure, travel, and visiting museums. This phenomenon has made me ponder whether the internet is a mirror reflecting our deepest desires or a stage where we play out our dreams. Either way, it’s fascinating to witness this global convergence of interests in such an intimate yet public forum.

When queried about the nature of the replies, Coben affirmed that he hadn’t engaged with anyone – he merely visited profiles to gather insights on online dating for his narrative.

If you’ve stuck with the series “Missing You” till the finale, you’ll quickly understand that his research served mainly to set the stage, since the storyline offers numerous unexpected turns that extend well beyond the typical online dating framework.

Hey there fellow gamers! I just wanted to let you know that “Missing You” is now streaming on Netflix if you’re looking for something new to watch. If you’re curious about what else is on the horizon, be sure to check out our list of top TV shows to look forward to in 2025. Also, don’t forget to browse through our rankings of the best series from 2024. Lastly, keep an eye out for the movies hitting streaming platforms this month! Enjoy your binge-watching sessions!

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2025-01-01 23:02