Based on the 2020 hit novel of the same name by Jane Harper, theNetflixlimited seriesThe Survivorsis equal parts murdermysteryand drama. Kiera Elliot (Charlie Vickers fromThe Rings of Power) returns to his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Tasmania, after 15 years with his partner Mia (Yerin Ha) and their baby. His return dredges up a tragic past in which the lives of two young men, including his brother, were lost during a storm. It also coincides with the murder of Bronte (Shannon Berry), a young woman who had been asking uncomfortable questions about the long-unsolved disappearance of a teen named Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), which has always been attributed to that fateful storm.
The Survivors
The Australian TV showrevolves around the chaos that follows in the community after Bronte’s body is found on the beach, while also linking together the past with the present and unearthing long-buried secrets and sins. If you’re part of the many who tuned in, you might be craving another brooding mystery with compelling characters and gripping drama.
This list has you covered with 9 great mystery series that have a lot in common withThe Survivors.
9’Broadchurch' (2013 - 2017)
Broadchurch
The British crime seriesBroadchurchis also set on the coast. It follows the aftermath of the murder of Danny Latimer (Oskar McNamara), an 11-year-old local boy, in the fictional seaside English town of Dorset. Detective duo Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller,played by the talented David Tennantand the award-winning Olivia Colman, investigate his death. Although new cases are introduced in the second and third seasons, this initial mystery hovers over the rest of the series.
One of the Most Celebrated British Dramas
Similar toThe Survivors' Evelyn Bay, the close-knit community inBroadchurchis festering with secrets. If you liked the Australian series, you will appreciate the brooding, atmospheric nature of this crime drama with a seemingly idyllic setting. It also delves into themes of grief, suspicion, and deception. The show has earned many accolades, including seven BAFTA nominations. In 2014, Olivia Colman won the BAFTA for Best Actress for her work on the series.
8’The Forest' (2017)
The Forest
The Netflix originalThe Forestis a French limited series which has drawn comparisons to the aforementionedBroadchurch. Set in a French village near the Belgian border, it revolves around the disappearance of 16-year-old Jennifer Lenoir (Isis Guillaume) in the Forest of Ardennes. Captain Gaspard Deker (Samuel Labarthe) leads the investigation with local cop Virginie Musso (Suzanne Clément). Ève Mendel (Alexa Barlier), a lonely teacher with a mysterious background, also tries to unravel the mystery. As the story progresses,other disappearances occur, and shocking revelations about the town’s residents come to light.
An Atmospheric, Gripping Mystery
LikeThe Survivors, this dark crime drama weaves the past and present together, with Jennifer’s case raising connections to the disappearances of other girls years prior. The story also explores unsettling secrets and past trauma. Those who enjoyed Netflix’s Australian murder mystery will also find themselves captivated by this poignant, slow-paced mystery. Once you start it, you’ll want to stay seated until you’re done bingeing it.
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7Sharp Objects (2018)
Sharp Objects
Amy Adams stars as Camille Preaker, a Chicago reporter whose struggles with self-harm and alcoholism are spawned byher strained relationship with her mother, Adora Crellin (Patricia Clarkson). When two young girls are found murdered in her hometown of Windgap, Missouri, she’s put on the case and forced to return to the home she always loathed. There, she connects with her teenage half-sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen) and finds herself confronting her demons.
An Eerie Southern Gothic Mystery
Based on Gillian Flynn’s (Gone Girl) book of the same name,Sharp Objectsis also adapted from a hit novel. Both shows feature main characters reluctant to return to a home associated with painful memories. Much like Kieran, Camille finds herself still grappling with the immense grief of her sibling’s death many years prior. If you’re craving another small-town mystery with a dose of family dysfunction, this is a solid option.
6’The Woods' (2020)
The Polish mystery miniseriesThe Woodsis based on Harlen Coben’s novel of the same name, and is one of hisbest adaptations on Netflix. Much likeThe Survivors, the show flashes back and forth between the past and present. It follows Pawel Kopinski (Grzegorz Damięcki), a Warsaw prosecutor haunted by the events of a summer camp in 1994, where he was a counselor. Two campers were murdered and another two, including his sister, vanished without a trace. When he’s asked to identify a murder victim, who was found with a collection of newspaper clippings related to his past, he searches for answers.
For Fans of Gritty Dramas
If you lovedThe Survivors, you’ll enjoy any and all Harlen Coben TV shows, butThe Woodsis definitely at the top of that list. Like Kieran, the protagonist is haunted by guilt and grief. The present mystery is connected to the one from the past. While extremely different in setting, both are highly atmospheric and weave an intricate web of interconnected storylines.
5’Mare of Easttown' (2021)
Mare of Easttown
This HBO seven-episode miniseriesstars Kate Winslet as the titular Pennsylvania detective, Marianne “Mare” Sheehan. Cailee Spaeny (Alien: RomulusandPriscilla) plays the teen mother who becomes the victim of a murder. Her case becomes highly publicized, pushing Mare to her limits, as she struggles in her personal life and still grapples with the guilt associated with the cold case of Katie Bailey (Caitlin Houlahan), a girl who went missing a year prior. The cast also includes Guy Pearce, Evan Peters, Julianne Nicholson, Angourie Rice, Sosie Bacon, Jean Smart, and David Denman.
A Must-Watch Crime Drama
Widely cited as one of the best mystery TV shows of all time,Mare of Easttowncompletely immerses viewers in its small-town setting and gripping narrative, just like Netflix’s Australian crime drama. More than a mystery, the series also serves as a compelling character study. The secrets, the deception, and the darkness lurking beneath Easttown are reminiscent of Evelyn Bay.
4’Glitch' (2015 - 2019)
The award-winningGlitchis an Australian mystery co-created by Louise Fox and Tony Ayres, the latter of whom createdThe Survivors. In the country town of Yoorana, Sergeant James Hayes (Patrick Brammall) is called to the local cemetery one night, where he finds that six formerly deceased people have inexplicablyrisen from their gravesin perfect health. Among the “risen” is his wife, Kate (Emma Booth). He becomes determined to find out how and why they have returned.
Makes for Another Perfect Netflix Binge
Glitchis one of the most underrated shows on Netflix. If you’re looking for something intriguing to binge, this is the choice for you. While this entry stands out against other series on this list for its supernatural element, it has more in common withThe Survivorsthan one would think, like its themes of loss, love, and grief. Its slow-burn, character-driven mystery is utterly captivating. The story also explores the drama and tensions within a small town. If you liked the intricacies of the relationships between the characters inThe Survivors, you’ll appreciate this gem.
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3Black Snow (2023 - Present)
Black Snow
Travis Fimmel stars as James Cormack,a dedicated cold case detectivehaunted by the decades-old disappearance of his brother. Season 1 follows as he works on the reopened case of Isabelle Baker (Talijah Blackman-Corowa), a murdered 17-year-old girl from a small South Sea Islander community in North Queensland, after a clue is found in a 1994 time capsule. The second season takes him to the fictional town of Moorevale to look into the 2003 vanishing of Zoe Jacobs (Jana McKinnon) from her 21st birthday party. Meanwhile, he continues trying to solve what happened to his brother.
The Best Crime Drama You Aren’t Watching
Black Snowis one of the greatest crime dramas created in recent years, and it deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. The Australian show is more than a mystery, delving into important sociopolitical issues in both of its seasons. If you were drawn to the wayThe Survivorsused its setting to its advantage and unearthed past secrets, you’ll enjoy this series. The show also has the same small-town vibes as its fellow compatriot.
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2’Scrublands' (2023 - Present)
Scrublands
The first season ofScrublandsfollows burnt-out journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold), who has been tasked with writing a follow-up story abouta tragedy in a small isolated town, in which a charismatic local priest opened fire on his parishioners, killing five. What follows is the unearthing of a web of secrets. In Season 2, he returns to his hometown of Port Silver, where a desperate phone call from his childhood best friend leads him to a bloodied crime scene, with his new love, Mandy (Bella Heathcote), holding the weapon without any recollection.
A Gripping Rural Noir
LikeThe Survivors,Scrublandsis an Australian series with roots in fiction. It’s based on theMartin Scarsdenseries by Chris Hammer. In each season, the series also brings to life a town haunted by a painful past, delving into the impact of long-held secrets and lies. If you’re looking for a quintessential Australian drama, look no further.
1’Secrets We Keep' (2025)
Secrets We Keep
InSecrets We Keep, Ruby (Donna Levkovski), a young woman from the Philippines working as an au pair for a wealthy family, goes missing from their affluent neighborhood north of Copenhagen. Few people seem to care about her disappearance, including the couple she works for, who act completely unconcerned. That isn’t the case with Cecile (Marie Bach Hansen), friend and neighbor to her employers. Determined to find out what happened to Ruby, Cecile’s compelling questions lead her to chilling discoveries.
A Binge-Worthy Nordic Noir Drama
The Danish miniseriesboasts a100% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. It entered the Top 10 in 82 countries, becoming the number one show in 28 of them. Although the show differs thematically fromThe Survivors, both are set in close-knit communities plagued by secrets and deception. Fans of the Australian tale will appreciate the waySecrets We Keepslowly and deliberately unravels its mystery.
