Netflix's new Australian mystery series, The Survivors, based on the 2020 novel by Jane Harper, unravels a complex web of secrets, grief, and guilt in the small coastal town of Evelyn Bay, Tasmania. The six-part series, which premiered on June 6, 2025, revolves around Kieran Elliott (Charlie Vickers), who returns to his hometown with his partner Mia (Yerin Ha) and their daughter Audrey, fifteen years after a tragic storm claimed the lives of his brother Finn and friend Toby, also resulting in the disappearance of a young girl named Gabby Birch. The idyllic setting is soon disrupted by the murder of Bronte Laidler (Shannon Berry), a true-crime enthusiast investigating Gabby's disappearance, forcing buried secrets to resurface.
The series masterfully keeps viewers guessing, with several characters initially appearing as potential suspects in Bronte's murder. Kieran's father, Brian (Damien Garvey), who suffers from dementia, becomes a prime suspect when his DNA is found on Bronte's body. However, his declining health casts doubt on his ability to commit such a crime. Other characters, including Julian Gilroy (Martin Sacks), Toby's father, are also implicated.
Ultimately, the finale reveals the shocking truth: Sean Gilroy (Thom Green), Toby's younger brother and Kieran's friend, is responsible for both Gabby's death and Bronte's murder. Fifteen years prior, Gabby, who had a crush on Kieran, sought him out at the caves. Sean offered to take her there, but when she rejected his advances, he abandoned her as the storm rolled in, leading to her drowning in the rising tide. Her body was never recovered, and Sean kept his involvement a secret, with his father, Julian, covering up his crime to protect his remaining son.
In the present day, Bronte, while working on a true-crime project, stumbles upon Gabby's name carved into the cave walls, unknowingly uncovering Sean's dark secret. When Bronte shares her findings with Sean and expresses her intention to create an art tribute to Gabby, Sean fears exposure and silences her by hitting her with a flashlight, ultimately killing her. He then disposes of her body in the ocean. Later, Brian finds Bronte's body on his nightly walk and attempts CPR, which explains why his DNA was found on her.
The climax sees Kieran confronting Sean in the caves, leading to a brutal fight. Kieran, now aware of Sean's guilt, grapples with the revelation that his friend was responsible for the tragedies that have haunted Evelyn Bay for years. Although Kieran almost strangles Sean, he stops, proving he is not a killer. The police, alerted by Verity (Robyn Malcolm), arrive just in time to arrest Sean.
The Survivors concludes with a memorial for Bronte and Gabby, finally bringing closure to Trish (Catherine McClements), Gabby's mother, and Bronte's parents. Kieran decides to stay in Evelyn Bay with Mia and Audrey, hoping to repair his relationships with his parents. The series ends with footage from Bronte's true crime project, giving her the last word and a sense of justice.
