The popular true crime documentary series Missing: Dead or Alive? has returned for a second season, leaving many viewers to wonder if a third season is on the horizon. The show, which follows the intense work of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina, continues to attract an audience with its real-time look into missing persons investigations. Here is everything known so far about the potential for Season 3.
The Current Status of Season 3
As of now, Netflix has not announced a third season of Missing: Dead or Alive?. The streaming platform only lists two seasons for the show, with the second season having been released on November 24, 2025. There have been no official statements from Netflix or the show’s producers regarding renewal plans. All discussions about a new season remain speculative.
The show was officially renewed for its second season in September 2023, following its successful debut. At that time, production was gearing up to film another four episodes in South Carolina. The lack of a similar renewal announcement for a third season means its future is currently unknown.
Factors That Could Lead to a New Season
Several factors could influence Netflix’s decision to greenlight a third season. The show’s format, which deals with an ongoing real-world issue, provides a nearly endless supply of new material. Unlike scripted television, the nature of crime and missing persons cases means the series will not run out of stories to tell.
The show’s performance is another key factor. When it first aired, Missing: Dead or Alive? appeared in Netflix’s Global Top 10 lists in close to 20 countries. For its second season, the show needs to demonstrate strong viewer engagement. Netflix heavily relies on internal data such as total viewing hours and, crucially, completion ratesโhow many viewers finish the entire season. Strong performance in these areas would make a renewal more likely.
The continued popularity of the true crime genre on Netflix also works in the show’s favor. Docuseries and true crime content are among the most-watched non-fiction categories on the platform, which could help the show’s case for another season.
How the Show Performed with Viewers
The first season of Missing: Dead or Alive? quickly gained attention after its premiere in May 2023. It secured a place in Netflix’s Top 10 during its initial release. Public rating platforms show the series has a moderate reception.
The ultimate decision for renewal rests with Netflix and depends on the show meeting internal performance benchmarks that are not publicly disclosed. While the show has a dedicated audience, its future depends on whether Netflix’s internal data justifies a new season.
The Investigators and the Show’s Format
Missing: Dead or Alive? provides a behind-the-scenes look at the work of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit. The series focuses on the investigators, including Vicki Rains, an officer with over 22 years of experience in Major Crimes; JP Smith, a veteran with 40 years in law enforcement; and Captain Heidi Jackson, who oversees the unit.
The documentary is filmed in a cinรฉma vรฉritรฉ style, following the officers in real-time as they handle new cases. It shows the emotional weight of the investigations on both the families and the officers involved. The series aims to highlight the humanity behind each case, ensuring the missing person is not just a statistic.
The second season continues this approach, featuring another set of gripping cases, such as the investigation into the death of Morgan Duncan. The unscripted nature of the subject matter means the show can potentially continue as long as there are new cases to document and an audience interested in watching.
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Where to Watch the Series
All episodes of Missing: Dead or Alive?* are available to stream exclusively on Netflix. This includes both the first season, which premiered in May 2023, and the second season, which arrived in November 2025. To watch, you need an active Netflix subscription.
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