Netflix’s latest Australian drama miniseries, The Survivors, created by Tony Ayres and adapted from Jane Harper’s 2020 novel, delves into the lasting impact of tragedy on a tight-knit community. Set in the small Tasmanian town of Evelyn Bay, the series offers a gripping, if sometimes melodramatic, portrayal of grief, guilt, and hidden secrets.
The story centers on Kieran Elliott (played by a compelling lead), whose life was irrevocably changed fifteen years earlier when a devastating storm claimed the lives of his brother Finn and their friend Toby while they attempted to rescue him at sea. Kieran was the sole survivor of that fateful night. Coinciding with the tragedy, another local, Gabby Birch, mysteriously disappeared and was largely forgotten by the town.
The narrative resumes as Kieran returns to Evelyn Bay with his wife, Mia Chang, and their young child, intending to reconnect with his past and introduce his family to his aging parents, Verity and Brian. However, the discovery of a young woman’s body on the beach reignites old wounds and thrusts the community into turmoil. The ensuing investigation threatens to expose long-buried secrets—including the truth about Gabby’s disappearance—and suggests that a killer may have been living among them all along.
While The Survivors opens with familiar crime fiction tropes, it distinguishes itself through its portrayal of the community’s complex reactions. Evelyn Bay’s residents, desperate for answers, become increasingly suspicious and fractious. The series sensitively explores the struggles of a grieving mother trying to be heard and the difficult circumstances surrounding Brian, Kieran’s father, who suffers from dementia and becomes a figure of suspicion.
At its core, The Survivors is a study of relationships strained by tragedy and time. Kieran’s return sparks a mixture of warm welcomes and cold shoulders from old friends—Ash Carter, Toby’s brother Sean, and his former love Olivia. Meanwhile, Bronte, a woman producing a documentary about Gabby Birch, represents a fresh perspective focused on the overlooked victim. Tension simmers with Liam, Toby’s son, whose unresolved anger towards Kieran adds emotional depth to the unfolding drama.
Despite its strengths in character dynamics and atmosphere, the series sometimes falters under the weight of melodrama. Some supporting characters remain underdeveloped, serving mainly as plot devices rather than fully realized individuals, which occasionally detracts from the overall narrative cohesion.
Nonetheless, as The Survivors peels back layers of interpersonal connections—linking Kieran’s family with the wider community—it skillfully builds suspense. The portrayal of dementia’s impact on Brian injects a poignant, unsettling dimension, challenging both Kieran and viewers to navigate blurred memories and dangerous assumptions.
For audiences seeking a crime drama rich in emotional complexity rather than high-octane spectacle, The Survivors offers a compelling exploration of how the past haunts a community and the tenuous nature of truth and forgiveness. While the series may occasionally get tangled in its own dramatic threads, it remains a noteworthy addition to Netflix’s growing slate of Australian productions.
The Survivors is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
