I know there has been a bunch of shows following the disappearance or murder of a child or teenager in recent years every since Nordic Noir came out with Denmark's excellent Forbrydelsen or better known in the U.S. as "The Killing," but Starz is airing this amazing eight part series that starts tonight called the Missing and it's simply riveting television. (You can see the first episode online for free)

It's been running over on BBC1 for the last three weeks and The Guardian said this about it:

The Missing is not mawkish, or overly sentimental; it’s just very human, and very very sad. It’s also a thriller, about a hunt and an investigation, by the police initially, then by a father, with the help of a retired French detective. The press (British, of course) are also involved, though it’s not yet clear how. I imagine in a thoroughly disreputable way.

The thriller side of things is excellent, too, and provides the momentum to carry it through eight episodes.

The story line beautifully bounces between the present day and eight years earlier when the tragedy took place. I've seen the first three episodes and it is everything Sam Wollaston wrote and more. The entire cast is tremendous led by the terrific James Nesbitt, Frances O’Connor and Tchéky Karyo.

Grade: A