Kaley Cuoco's New Tense Mystery Drama With 'Hunger Games' Star Is Now Available on MGM+

Kaley Cuoco is still remembered by millions of viewers as the charming Penny from The Big Bang Theory, but she continues to confidently reinvent her image.

Following the success of The Flight Attendant, for which she received two Golden Globe nominations, the actress once again plays a woman caught in a criminal maelstrom.

The new MGM+ miniseries Vanished is a classic Hitchcockian thriller in which a romantic weekend in France turns into a nightmare.

What Is 'Vanished' About?

After years of archaeological expeditions, Alice receives a promotion and returns to civilized life. Her boyfriend, Tom, who has been working with refugees in Jordan, is finally ready to leave his dangerous mission behind for the sake of a future together.

A romantic dinner in Paris – life seems to be getting better. The next morning, Alice and Tom board a train. En route, however, Tom disappears without a trace. The police tell them to come back in two days, and only a local journalist is interested in the story.

Alice begins her own investigation and quickly realizes that four years of dating have given her no clue as to who her lover really was.

'Vanished' Is a Perfect Pick for Fans of Kaley Cuoco Who Liked 'The Flight Attendant'

A clear line can be drawn between Cassie Bowden and Alice Monroe. Both heroines suddenly find themselves in the midst of a crime and must sort out the circumstances while trusting neither the police nor their own memories.

However, while The Flight Attendant balanced between thriller and dark comedy, allowing Cuoco to demonstrate her signature comic timing, her performance here is deadly serious.

Alice doesn't make light of what's happening or try to laugh it off. She's thrashing around, afraid and losing control. This is a deliberate rejection of the qualities that made Cuoco a sitcom star and an evolution toward grand dramatic form.

Fans of the actress who have followed her career since The Big Bang Theory will appreciate this evolution, even if the series itself doesn't reach the depth of True Detective.

'Vanished' Is a Classic Mystery Drama With a Dash of Action That's Sure to Brighten Up a Couple of Evenings

Vanished is a solid, tightly constructed TV project where every detail works to maintain suspense. The creators skillfully juggle flashbacks, contrasting Tom's happy days in Paris with his dangerous work in Jordan and gradually adding clues.

While there are no thoughtful noir pauses for reflection, the excellent pacing keeps the plot moving. There are motorcycle chases, fights on the streets of Marseille, sudden arrests, and escapes.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Vanished'?

• Vanished has 46% from critics and 56% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.0/10.