The Missing creators: “We felt f***ing stupid” writing acclaimed BBC thriller

Before penning their critically acclaimed thriller series The Missing, which traced the hunt for a lost child in France during its initial season, Harry and Jack Williams primarily focused on writing comedies. Notable examples of their comedy work include the brief-lived series Roman’s Empire, Full English, and Fried.

From the very start, “The Missing” proved successful, causing the writing duo to concentrate solely on thriller series. They then produced numerous thrilling programs such as “Liar,” “Rellik,” “The Tourist,” and most recently, “The Assassin.

Presently, joining us for a chat in our exclusive “The TopMob Writers’ Room” series, where we delve into the minds of screenwriters, they shared their experiences about how risky penning The Missing turned out to be and left them with feelings of “what a fool I’ve been!” or simply put, “feeling rather foolish.

The siblings shared that they initially penned the collection since they hadn’t been employed for approximately nine months, and admitted they found it challenging to continue with comedy as they felt their services were no longer desired.

Harry explained, “Instead of our usual approach, we decided to go for a drastically different style, opting for a more serious tone without any humor, as comedic elements seem inappropriate in content related to pedophilia.

Jack mentioned, “Generally speaking, no. Once completed, we shared it with our representative and suggested, ‘If it turns out to be particularly awkward, kindly keep it a secret. Simply do not present it to anyone.’

As a film enthusiast, penning those lines felt more like scribbling heartfelt adolescent verses. It carried such intensity and raw emotion that I couldn’t help but feel a tad self-conscious. Yet, in my heart, I believed it was exceptional. I found myself drawn to it, deeply captivated by its brilliance.

In my own words, I shared, “It was incredibly intense, indeed. There were numerous heartfelt speeches, somber instances, and experiences that were unprecedented for us. To put it in your terms, it was akin to revealing the contents of my private journal or something deeply personal.

Jack concluded that “fortunately, he liked it, and other people liked it”.

In our recent conversation at The TopMob Writers’ Room, the Williams brothers hinted that they’ve left the door open for a potential comeback in the thrilling universe of The Missing and its offshoot, Baptiste, by not explicitly dismissing the idea of another season.

Jack mentioned that it’s a topic we’ve frequently discussed for quite some time now, so it remains a subject of ongoing consideration. Nevertheless, he clarified that currently, there are no immediate plans in sight.

Watch ‘The Assassin’ streaming live on Amazon Prime Video right now! Start with a 30-day free trial if you haven’t subscribed yet.

Read More

2025-07-29 18:51