Only days after its release, a Netflixmystery-drama book adaptation with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score became a global hit. Netflix updates its Top 10 lists every week, allowing viewers to stay up-to-date with the most popular shows. Over the years, the streaming giant has released manygreat mystery shows, many of which are adapted from bestselling books. Their streaming data from June 05, 2025, to July 03, 2025, indicates that they’re continuing this trend of making great mystery adaptations.
Netflix’s streaming numbers shared onTudumreveal that the limited seriesThe Survivorsreached number 4 on the global, English-speaking top 10 TV shows list, beating outCold Case: The Tylenol MurdersandGinny & Georgiaseasons 1 and 2. Although it’s gaining popularity in the United States as well, it hasn’t reached the US Top 10 shows list.
The Survivorsadapts the titular book by author Jane Harper, which quickly hit the New York Times Bestsellers list shortly after its release.Set in Tasmania, the story follows Kieran and Mia, a couple that returns to their childhood home of Evelyn Bay only for a 15-year-old tragedy to be brought back up after a young woman named Bronte gets murdered. It’s a well-written show with twists from the start toThe Survivors' tense ending.
What The Survivors' Success On Netflix Means
The Australian Mystery Drama Opens Doors For Future Australian TV Shows On Netflix
Although Netflix and other streaming giants used to prioritize Hollywood shows and movies over international projects, they’ve made attempts to expand their catalog. The new hit mystery drama is a prime example of this.The Survivorscastincludes almost all Australian actors, rather than featuring Hollywood stars. Very few faces will be recognizable to individuals who don’t watch Australian TV shows and movies. The miniseries was filmed in Australia by Tony Ayres Productions, Matchbox Pictures, and NBCUniversal International Studios; the first two are Australian production studios. It’s based on a book published by a British-Australian author.
The mystery show’s success with global audiences is a great sign that viewers are open to shows made outside of Hollywood.IfThe Survivorsand other non-Hollywood projects continue to find success at Netflix, they may continue to widen their bases, offering more reach for international projects that are too often trampled by Hollywood shows.
Our Take On The Survivors Hitting Netflix’s Global Top 10
The Survivors' Message Is Important For Global Audiences
Netflix’sThe Survivorsis such a well-written, compelling mystery that’s worth watching, and I’m excited that it’s gaining an audience. The show has a lot to say about the importance of healing trauma and receiving closure – a message that will reach more people now that the world has become more aware of mental health. The show’s success only makes me wish Jane Harper had more books to adapt for Netflix.
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Exiles
2022
Harper has only released five books to date, and two of five books,The DryandForce of Nature,were turned into feature-length films. That leaves onlyExilesandThe Lost Manas possible stories to bring to the small screen afterThe Survivors. Since Exiles is the third book after The Dry and Force of Nature, it’s unlikely to get a Netflix show.Fingers crossed,The Survivorsgets enough attention that they makeThe Lost Man.
