Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Someone Has to Know,’ originally titled ‘Alguien Tiene Que Saber,’ is a Chilean crime drama show that centers on an intriguing case. Inspired by true events, the narrative centers on the sudden disappearance of Julio Montoya Font (Clemente Rodríguez), who vanishes without a trace in a crowd of 300 people at a nightclub in Concepción, Chile. This inexplicable event sparks a chaotic and intense investigation. The search is led by Detective Montero (Alfredo Castro) and Julio’s desperate mother, Vanessa Font (Paulina García), who is relentless in her pursuit of the truth.
Complicating the already tangled case is Father San Martin (Gabriel Cañas), a priest who holds a crucial piece of information about the case, but is bound by his oath to secrecy. Julio’s disappearance quickly draws significant media attention, shocking the nation. Vanessa remains determined, making difficult choices to sustain her search for her son. Directed by Fernando Guzzoni and Pepa San Martín, the series not only presents a gripping crime story but also serves as a sharp commentary on Chilean society and its perceptions of individual liberty and safety. In this list, you will find shows similar to ‘Someone Has to Know’ that explore complex mysteries.
10. The Killing (2011-2014)
AMC’s ‘The Killing’, created by Veena Sud, is a crime drama show based on the Danish series ‘Forbrydelsen.’ It follows the struggles faced by detectives Sarah Linden (Mireille Enos) and Stephen Holder (Joel Kinnaman) as they investigate the murder of a Seattle teenager, Rosie Larsen (Katie Findlay). The case sends shockwaves through the community and begins to affect a local mayoral election for mysterious reasons. When the investigation unfolds, the detectives dig up secrets that make the case more complicated, while Rosie’s family struggles with the loss. Faced with a difficult and uncertain case, Linden and Holder work to uncover the truth behind the crime before it is too late. The narrative complements ‘Someone Has to Know’ through its visually engaging depiction of personal loss, familial bonds, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
9. The Night Of (2016)
Created by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian, HBO’s ‘The Night Of’ follows Nasir Khan AKA Naz (Riz Ahmed), a college student in NYC. His life changes after he takes his father’s taxi and accidentally crosses paths with a young woman, Andrea Cornish (Sofia Black-D’Elia). After spending the night with her, Naz wakes up to find her dead and panics. He is soon arrested by the cops and remains clueless about his situation. Detective Sergeant Dennis Box (Bill Camp) builds a case against him.
Lawyer John Stone (John Turturro) takes on his defense, but as the evidence mounts, Naz’s fate becomes uncertain while he awaits trial, even as the truth lurks in the shadows. The crime drama show is based on the first season of the British series ‘Criminal Justice.’ It shares similarities with ‘Someone Has to Know’ in that it focuses on a shocking mystery, the ordeals of a young man, and the flaws of the justice system.
8. The Five (2016)
‘The Five’ or ‘Harlan Coben’s The Five’ is a British mystery thriller series that begins in 1995 with the disappearance of a young boy. The narrative focuses on four friends, Mark Wells (Tom Cullen), Danny Kenwood (O. T. Fagbenle), Slade (Lee Ingleby), and Pru Carew (Sarah Solemani). They are left devastated after Mark’s younger brother Jesse Wells vanishes inexplicably. Danny becomes a detective as he grows up and discovers DNA at a murder scene that matches Jesse’s, two decades later. This shocking development reunites the friends, leading them to question what really happened. As they investigate further, they uncover secrets that challenge everything they believed about Jesse’s disappearance. Created by Harlan Coben, the show, akin to ‘Someone Has to Know,’ is a navigation of familial troubles and chaos that arise due to the disappearance of a young boy in mysterious circumstances.
7. Seven Seconds (2018)
Created by Veena Sud, Netflix’s ‘Seven Seconds’ begins when Peter Jablonski (Beau Knapp), a white narcotics detective in Jersey City, accidentally hits and seriously injures an African-American teenager, Brenton Butler (Daykwon Gaines), with his car. In shock, he calls fellow officers to the scene, where Mike DiAngelo (David Lyons) takes control and orders a cover-up, believing the boy is dead. As the case unfolds, racial tensions rise within the community, and assistant prosecutor KJ Harper (Clare-Hope Ashitey) pushes to treat the case as a possible hate crime. With the truth still unclear, Peter’s fate and motivations remain a mystery. The crime drama series is based on the Russian film ‘The Major.’ It is spiritually related to ‘Someone Has to Know,’ through its visually engaging narrative that centers on the cost of secrets and a case that captures public attention.
6. The Cry (2018)
‘The Cry’ is an Australian-British psychological drama series that follows Joanna Lindsay (Jenna Coleman) and Alistair Robertson (Ewen Leslie), a young couple. They travel from Scotland to Australia to seek custody of Alistair’s daughter, Chloe Robertson (Markella Kavenagh), from his former spouse. During their journey, their four-month-old son Noah Robertson disappears, triggering a devastating crisis. As the case draws public attention, the pressure begins to strain their relationship. While they try to cope, Joanna’s mental state starts to decline, and the couple’s lives begin to unravel. Noah’s fate hangs in the balance as the mystery deepens in shocking ways. Directed by Glendyn Ivin, the narrative is based on Helen FitzGerald’s novel of the same name. The ordeals faced by Joanna and Alistair reflect the struggles of Julio’s family in ‘Someone Has to Know.’
5. Unbelievable (2019)
Netflix’s ‘Unbelievable’ follows the struggles of Marie Adler (Kaitlyn Dever), a young woman who reports being raped but is later accused by the police of lying and is charged instead of being supported. As Marie faces disbelief and blame, the story highlights the wider issue of how victims are often treated. At the same time, detectives Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette) and Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) begin investigating similar cases. Their work offers a different approach, highlighting the truth and challenging the system that failed Marie. As the cops learn more about other cases, a shocking truth emerges.
The crime drama show is based on the news article ‘An Unbelievable Story of Rape,’ written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong, and also takes inspiration from the book ‘A False Report’ by the same authors. Created by Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman, and Michael Chabon, the narrative is a harrowing take on gender and justice. It shares a connection with ‘Someone Has to Know’ through its portrayal of the angst of victims, systemic issues, and the fight for truth in an unfair world.
4. The Bay (2019-)
Created by Daragh Carville and Richard Clark, ‘The Bay’ is a British crime drama series that follows Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong (Morven Christie), a Family Liaison Officer with the West Lancashire Police. A mother of two, Lisa is assigned to investigate the disappearance of two teenagers. In the first season of the show, the case becomes complicated when she realizes that Sean Meredith (Jonas Armstrong), the stepfather of the missing twins, is someone she had an intimate encounter with.
Her personal involvement creates further difficulties as she continues working on the investigation while trying to keep her own secrets. The other seasons of the show center on tense, mysterious plots that keep viewers engaged. Akin to ‘Someone Has to Know,’ the story deals with the difficulties of investigating a case of disappearance, while also shedding light on the psychological troubles of the characters.
3. Top of the Lake (2013-2017)
‘Top of the Lake’ is a New Zealand mystery drama show that centers on the experiences of Detective Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss). She investigates the disappearance of a young pregnant girl, Tui Mitcham (Jacqueline Joe), which leads to more questions than answers. As a specialist in sexual assault cases, the investigation initially challenges Robin. However, the case quickly unravels multiple layers of mystery, forcing the detective to navigate the realities of the local community. Ultimately, the investigation becomes a profound journey of self-discovery for Robin, compelling her to confront her own state of mind before it is too late. Created by Jane Campion and Gerard Lee, the series is a nuanced exploration of how the vanishing of a family member creates tensions in the community and challenges those investigating, much like ‘Someone Has to Know.’
2. Broadchurch (2013–2017)
Created by Chris Chibnall, ‘Broadchurch’ delves into the happenings at the peaceful Dorset town of Broadchurch, which is suddenly plunged into turmoil. This happens due to the discovery of young Danny Latimer’s body on the beach. Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant), an outsider, is assigned to lead the investigation. This immediately causes friction with local cop Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), who believed she should have been in charge. Despite their differences, the two are forced to collaborate on the case.
The tragedy places the community under intense media scrutiny, while Danny’s grieving family struggles to cope. As Alec and Ellie delve deeper into the mystery, their arduous investigation into the town’s secrets and deception forces them to question their own judgment. The British crime drama show is closely connected to the world and characters of ‘Someone Has to Know’ in that it delves into the minds of family members grappling with an ongoing mystery, while also exploring the challenges faced by the investigating officers.
1. The Missing (2014-2016)
BBC’s ‘The Missing’ is a British anthology drama show created by Harry Williams and Jack Williams. Season one is about Tony Hughes (James Nesbitt), a man obsessed after his young son, Oliver Hughes (Oliver Hunt), is abducted during a family vacation in France. His exhaustive, years-long search fractures his marriage to Emily Hughes (Frances O’Connor). Retired French detective Julien Baptiste (Tchéky Karyo), who led the initial search, also holds a small belief that the child may still be alive, even though time has passed and hopes have faded.
The second season chronicles the experiences of Alice Webster (Abigail Hardingham), who returns to her small community after being missing for more than a decade. Meanwhile, Julien Baptiste pursues a case, racing across Europe to find answers. The show shares similarities with ‘Someone Has to Know,’ as it explores the emotional impact on family members when a loved one goes missing. Both shows also shed light on the procedural elements of investigating cases of disappearance, while containing similar visual elements.
Read More: Shows Like Scarpetta
