Absentia – Season 2 (2019)

Added to Netflix Canada on November 14, 2025

Former FBI agent Emily Byrne attempts to find a new normal following her traumatic captivity and the resolution of her abduction case. However, her obsessive investigation into her fragmented past leads her and Nick into a deadly new mystery involving a serial killer and a massive terrorist attack, threatening her fragile recovery, family, and identity.

Length: 6h55m
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
This Title is: Intense, Psychological, Trauma-Focused

Cast

Stana Katic, Patrick Heusinger, Matthew Le Nevez, Cara Theobold, Patrick McAuley

Parental Guidance

Maturity Rating: TV-MA – Violence, Disturbing Images, Mature Themes, Strong Language

FAQ

  • Is Absentia – Season 2 (2019) Based on a True Story?: No, it is a fictional psychological thriller created by Gaia Violo and Matt Cirulnick.
  • Where was Absentia – Season 2 (2019) filmed?: Bulgaria
  • Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Nami Melumad

Filmmaker Profile

Lead actress Stana Katic also served as an Executive Producer, emphasizing her commitment to the production’s direction and quality. She worked closely with director Oded Ruskin to ensure the visual language captured the psychological intensity and darkness surrounding Emily’s story.

Why It’s Worth Watching

The second season successfully raises the stakes with a complex, high-octane plot that blends FBI procedure with personal drama. The action sequences are well-executed, and the direction keeps the pacing tight across all ten episodes. It is a gripping story about survival and the painful search for truth amidst deep personal betrayal and high-level conspiracy.

Main Character Deep Dive

Emily Byrne’s internal struggle as a survivor of physical and mental abuse is the core of the season’s power. Stana Katic provides an exceptional performance, capturing the raw vulnerability and ferocious determination of a woman fighting PTSD while desperately trying to reconnect with her son. Her fight to define her own moral center is truly memorable and central to the series.

Unforgettable Quote

“We let the devil in.”

Trivia

  • Principal photography for the series took place entirely in Bulgaria.
  • The main character, Emily Byrne, was played and executive produced by Stana Katic.
  • Season 2 introduces Matthew Le Nevez as Special Agent Cal Isaac, an empathetic counterpart to Emily.

Trailer

Streaming Link

Stream Absentia – Season 2 (2019) on:

Netflix

Our Review

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The second outing for Emily Byrne delivers a satisfying, heart-pounding experience. The production shines by escalating the tension, moving beyond the central mystery of the first season to explore the immense psychological toll on its protagonist. I found the way the show expertly balanced high-stakes action with quiet moments of emotional repair to be extremely effective. Stana Katic’s acting is extraordinary, grounding the often chaotic proceedings with her powerful portrayal of a woman striving fiercely for stability and her family. The introduction of new characters, particularly Matthew Le Nevez’s Cal Isaac, provides a fantastic dynamic that aids Emily in her difficult journey. The writing staff did an excellent job constructing a complex web of events, tying together a terrorist attack and a serial killer investigation into a shocking conclusion. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the ten episodes and thoroughly enjoyed the creative ambition on display. This second chapter proves the series is a strong entry in the television suspense space.

Who Should Watch This?

Stream it if you enjoy intensely focused psychological thrillers that prioritize character trauma and complex government conspiracy over simple procedural drama.