Kaley Cuoco stars in “Vanished,” a four-part thriller series that premiered Sunday on MGM+, marking a continued shift for the actress into suspenseful roles following her decade-long run on the comedy “The Big Bang Theory” and the HBO Max series “The Flight Attendant.”
In “Vanished,” Cuoco plays Alice, an archaeologist whose planned move to Princeton with her boyfriend, Tom (Sam Claflin), is disrupted when he disappears on a train to Marseille, France. The series follows Alice as she navigates a foreign country and a complex investigation, aided by investigative reporter Helene (Karin Viard), to uncover the truth behind Tom’s vanishing.
Cuoco’s move toward thrillers began with “The Flight Attendant,” which debuted in November 2020, and has continued with roles in “Role Play” and “Based on a True Story.” This transition represents a deliberate change for the actress, who previously found widespread recognition for her comedic function on “The Big Bang Theory,” which ran from 2007 to 2019. According to a recent interview, Cuoco has found the current television landscape “complicated” and that finding “great stuff” is “harder now.”
Whereas “The Flight Attendant” blended mystery with comedic elements and explored the internal struggles of its protagonist, Cassie, “Vanished” presents a more grounded character in Alice, described as a “reliable narrator” who is nonetheless deceived. Cuoco noted in an interview that Alice’s competence makes her situation particularly frightening, as she is “super, super smart” and well-prepared, yet still vulnerable to manipulation.
The series features Matthias Schweighöfer as Alex Durand, a former colleague of Tom’s, and Simon Abkarian as Monsieur Drax, a police inspector who initially dismisses Alice’s concerns. The plot unfolds as Alice uncovers suspicious financial records, photographs, and information about Tom’s past, leading her down a path of intrigue and danger.
Critics have noted that “Vanished” lacks the comedic spark and character depth of “The Flight Attendant,” offering a more straightforward, albeit less engaging, thriller experience. Despite this, Cuoco’s performance continues to be a draw for audiences, and the series provides a distraction for viewers seeking a light, fast-paced mystery.
