Netflix’s Patience (2025), a six-part British psychological thriller created by acclaimed writer Simon Stephenson and directed by Joseph Miale, has quietly become one of the streamer’s most talked-about originals of the year. Starring Ella Purnell as Patience Phillips, a brilliant but emotionally guarded forensic anthropologist, the series blends the slow-burn dread of The Missing with the forensic intensity of Silent Witness, delivering a gripping, character-driven exploration of grief, memory, and the cost of uncovering truth.
The story follows Patience, a woman in her late 20s who has spent her life working with the dead. After the mysterious disappearance of her younger sister 15 years earlier, Patience has dedicated herself to helping other families find closure — even when the cases seem impossible. When a new case in a remote English coastal town mirrors her sister’s disappearance, Patience is forced to confront her own past while racing to save another family from the same fate.
Purnell, fresh from her acclaimed role in Yellowjackets, delivers a career-defining performance. Her Patience is quiet, meticulous, and deeply wounded — a woman who has built emotional walls so high that even she struggles to climb them. The series’ strength lies in its refusal to rush the mystery. Each episode peels back layers of Patience’s psyche as much as it unravels the case, using flashbacks, dream sequences, and subtle visual cues to blur the line between memory and reality.
The supporting cast is exceptional: Stephen Graham plays a grizzled detective who reluctantly partners with Patience, bringing warmth and weariness to the role; Niamh Algar is haunting as the mother of the missing girl; and Mark Addy adds quiet depth as Patience’s estranged father. The chemistry between Purnell and Graham grounds the series, turning what could have been a standard procedural into a profound character study.
Stephenson’s writing is razor-sharp, balancing forensic detail with emotional authenticity. The coastal setting — foggy cliffs, deserted beaches, and decaying seaside towns — mirrors Patience’s inner turmoil. The cinematography is stunning: muted blues and grays, long takes of empty landscapes, and intimate close-ups that make every glance feel loaded with meaning.
Critics have been unanimous in praise. The Guardian called it “a slow-burn masterpiece that lingers long after the credits,” while Variety praised Purnell’s “devastatingly restrained” performance. With a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, audiences echo the sentiment: “I binged all six episodes in one night — couldn’t look away. It’s haunting, heartbreaking, and brilliant.”
The series doesn’t shy from dark themes: trauma, guilt, the limits of memory, and the toll of living with unanswered questions. Patience’s journey is as much about healing herself as solving the case. The final twist — subtle, earned, and utterly devastating — reframes the entire story without cheap gimmicks.
For fans of The Missing, Broadchurch, or Mare of Easttown, Patience is essential viewing — a quiet, unflinching thriller that proves the most terrifying mysteries are often the ones we carry inside.
All six episodes are now streaming on Netflix. Clear your schedule. This one will stay with you.
