The BBC police documentary series Reported Missing has made a highly anticipated return to television screens, with another gripping episode scheduled for broadcast tonight, May 28. This critically acclaimed programme has been hailed as "one of the best" shows on TV, drawing viewers into the urgent and often heart-wrenching world of missing person investigations across the United Kingdom.
A Return to Form for the Popular Series
First airing in 2017, Reported Missing has become a firm favourite among audiences, particularly those with a penchant for true crime. The documentary series follows various police departments as they launch urgent investigations the moment a person is reported missing. Each episode plunges viewers into the frantic search efforts, capturing the gut-wrenching toll on families left behind. The series has now returned for its fifth run, with a new episode airing tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
A BBC synopsis describes the show's premise: "From the moment the phone rings, follow every step of the frantic, gut-wrenching search and wait with those left behind. In the search for the missing, every second counts."
Tonight's Episode: A Scottish Investigation
Tonight's instalment takes viewers to Scotland, where police grow increasingly concerned about the mental state of two missing teenagers. The episode promises to deliver the same level of suspense and emotional depth that has made the series a standout in the documentary genre.
Social media has been abuzz with praise for the show. One true crime enthusiast wrote: "If you've not watched this before it's really good. I'm really nosey. Sometimes it's said, it has now a nice ending, but sometimes they are found safe and well. If you're looking for something to watch, Reported Missing on BBC iPlayer, it's well worth a watch." Another viewer simply commented: "Love Reported Missing." A third added: "I've never seen this series. Have watched three episodes and it's brilliant."
Police Scotland Endorses the Series
Police Scotland also took to social media to share news of the new series, writing: "Police Scotland officers from Glasgow and Edinburgh supported the making of this BBC documentary highlighting the reality of missing person investigations and the impact on families, officers and communities when someone disappears."
One BBC viewer expressed anticipation, saying they had been "waiting for this" as new episodes are released. Another commented: "This is up there as one of the best programmes. So sad though." However, a third warned: "This is really sad sometimes."
Future Episodes and Streaming Availability
The second episode is scheduled to air on BBC One next Thursday, June 5, at the same time. It will feature police searching for a teenager who may be at risk of extortion, as well as a 20-year-old who failed to return home from a mountain hike by nightfall. All four episodes of the new series are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, along with previous seasons.
Over the years, Reported Missing has been a massive hit with true crime fans, especially those looking for a real-life counterpart to fictional dramas like Line of Duty or Broadchurch. On Reddit, previous episodes have moved viewers to tears. One user wrote: "I feel totally desensitised to most things on TV but watching her episode I literally gasped out loud. Don’t want to include any outright spoilers but I didn’t foresee that outcome."
The i Paper previously praised the series, noting: "The suspense was worthy of anything fictional police dramas such as Line of Duty or Broadchurch have thrown at us this year. The odds were higher, too. This was a real person, after all."
On X, one viewer said: "It’s a really great series I have been addicted to watching it every week." Another added: "I've watched every episode, it's been a brilliant series."
Reported Missing airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
