Netflix 'Missing You' Ending Explained: Who Killed Kat’s Father?

Missing you: A Missing Fiance on a Dating App

My husband and I really enjoy mystery and thriller shows, and we’ve quite liked the series based on Harlan Coben’s books. After watching Fool Me Once (2024) and Run Away (2026), we decided to watch Missing You, which is about a woman who finds her missing fiancé on a dating app after 11 years.

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

👉If you liked the mystery in Missing You, you might also enjoy Netflix's Fool Me Once (2024)—it starts with a widow seeing her late husband on a nanny cam.

👉For another Harlan Coben series, I’d recommend Netflix's Run Away (2026). It’s a solid story about a father’s search for his missing daughter and the secrets he uncovers.

Missing You Netflix Series Overview: Based on the Bestselling Book

• Release Date: 1 January 2025

• Episodes: 5 Parts (Perfect length for a weekend binge-watch!)

• Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Drama

• Features: This is a British drama based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Harlan Coben. It is a hit series that opened the start of 2025, maintaining the famous 'Coben World' style with its signature plot twists and emotional depth.

Main Cast

• Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan: The protagonist and a detective. She is searching for the truth after her fiance disappeared 11 years ago and her father was murdered.

• Ashley Walters as Josh Buchanan: Kat’s former fiance who vanished without a trace 11 years ago, only to suddenly reappear on a dating app, triggering the main mystery.

• Richard Armitage as Ellis Stagger: Kat’s mentor and a high-ranking police officer (DCI). He was a close friend of Kat’s father but hides a suspicious and untrustworthy side.

• Lenny Henry as Clint Donovan: Kat’s father and a former police officer. Though he was murdered years ago, his hidden life and secrets are the key to solving the current mystery.

• Charlie Hamblett as Charlie Pitts: A tech-savvy junior detective on Kat's team. He provides crucial information and support for Kat throughout the investigation.

• James Nesbitt as Calligan: A powerful and shady crime boss in the local underworld. He holds vital clues about Kat’s father’s past.

• Steve Pemberton as Titus Monroe: A suspicious and manipulative character who adds another layer of tension to the complex mystery Kat is trying to solve.

Missing You Plot Summary: A Missing Lover on a Dating App and Dad’s Death

Image by amrothman from Pixabay

Detective Kat Donovan’s life has been shaped by two heartbreaking events. One is the murder of her father, Clint Donovan, and the other is the disappearance of her fiance, Josh, around the same time.

When Kat hears that 'Monte Leburn', the man who confessed to killing her father, is terminally ill, she secretly visits him. There, she hears a shocking confession: "Actually, I am not the real killer." To make matters worse, the profile of Josh, who has been missing for 11 years, appears on a dating app. 

Then, a high school student named Brandon appears, claiming his mother went missing after going on a trip with Josh, whom she met on the same app. The case becomes very complicated.

Netflix Missing You Ending Explained: The Truth About Josh and Clint 

Image by Mediamodifier from Unsplash

▼ Spoilers Below ▼

❗ This review does not reveal who killed Clint, but it exposes key plot twists regarding Josh’s identity and the truth about Kat’s father.

• The Fake Josh: After her investigation, Kat discovers that the person she matched with on the dating app wasn't Josh at all. He was another victim of identity theft by a criminal gang that kidnaps people for extortion. The person who replied to Kat and then blocked her was a member of this syndicate.

• The Truth About Brandon’s Mother: Thankfully, her disappearance had nothing to do with the real Josh; she was simply another victim of the same criminal organisation.

• The Hero’s Fall: The most shocking twist is the reality of Kat’s father, Clint. While Kat spent years idolising him as a hero, he was actually involved in illegal activities and maintained a secret affair.

• The Conspiracy: Everyone in Kat’s inner circle knew the truth but stayed silent to "protect" her. As she digs deeper, she realises that many more people were involved in her father's death than she ever imagined.

Honest Review of Missing You: Good for Killing Time, but Lacks Impact

Tension and Logic Disappointment

While the twist regarding her father’s secret love life was fresh, the identity of the real killer became predictable as the story went on. Personally, the scene where Kat’s best friend accidentally discovers Clint’s secret on a random street in England, at that exact time and place, felt a bit forced and unrealistic.

The Sad Cycle of Fate

I kept thinking, "If only he had controlled his anger just a little bit more that day..." It is very sad because Clint was about to clear up his bad life and start fresh. His slightly rash actions on that day ended up taking away the happiness of both Kat and Josh.

The Fun of Seeing Regular Harlan Coben Actors

It was great to see Richard Armitage again as a suspicious boss, after his strong performance as the dead husband in <Fool Me Once>. Also, I was happy to see James Nesbitt again, who played the main character's father in Stay Close (Runaway). With only 5 episodes, the pace is quite fast and easy to enjoy.

Missing You Final Conclusion: A Heartwarming Ending After the Pain

In the end, after facing all the truths, Kat accepts both her father’s hidden side and the difficult choices Josh had to make. The drama finishes by showing Kat trying to overcome the past together with Josh. While the intensity of the twists might be a bit weaker than previous series, I still recommend it for a weekend binge if you enjoyed other Harlan Coben works or like well-made British thrillers.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.