In the ever-evolving world of streaming television, where mysteries and family dramas flood our screens, one series has sliced through the noise like a knife through fog. The Last Anniversary, a six-part Australian drama executive produced by Nicole Kidman and adapted from Liane Moriarty’s bestselling 2005 novel, has taken audiences by storm since its March 2025 debut. Hailed as “10/10” and “absolutely devastating” by viewers, this gripping thriller has been dubbed darker than anything Kidman has tackled before, even surpassing the intensity of Big Little Lies. Set on the enigmatic Scribbly Gum Island, the series weaves a chilling tale of a dead woman, a cursed inheritance, and a family bound by secrets so twisted they linger long after the credits roll. This is not just a show—it’s a haunting, emotional rollercoaster that redefines what a mystery can be.
A Mysterious Inheritance Sets the Stage
At the heart of The Last Anniversary is Sophie Honeywell, played with luminous complexity by Teresa Palmer. Sophie, a single journalist approaching 40, is reeling from a breakup when she receives an unexpected gift: a house on Scribbly Gum Island, bequeathed to her by her ex-boyfriend’s great-aunt, Connie (Angela Punch McGregor). The island, a picturesque yet eerie enclave near Sydney, is steeped in a decades-old mystery—the disappearance of a young couple, Alice and Jack Munro, whose vanishing left behind a baby, Enigma, and a legacy of unanswered questions. This “Munro Baby Mystery” has turned the island into a tourist trap, with true-crime enthusiasts flocking to gawk at the abandoned Munro cabin.
Sophie’s arrival disrupts the island’s fragile status quo. The house, a stunning but weathered relic, comes with a promise from Connie that Sophie will find the man of her dreams. But what she discovers instead is a web of secrets spun by three generations of women, each guarding truths that threaten to unravel their carefully curated lives. As Sophie digs deeper, she unearths a darkness that makes her inheritance feel more like a curse than a gift. The show’s premise—a stranger inheriting a home in a close-knit, secretive community—sets the stage for a thriller that’s equal parts suspenseful and emotionally raw.
A Cast That Shines with Ferocity
While Nicole Kidman doesn’t appear on screen, her presence as an executive producer looms large, shaping The Last Anniversary into a showcase for powerhouse performances, particularly from its female leads. Teresa Palmer’s Sophie is the emotional anchor, blending vulnerability and determination as she navigates hostility from the island’s residents. Palmer’s nuanced portrayal captures Sophie’s yearning for a fresh start while hinting at a haunted undercurrent, as if she senses the island’s secrets before they fully reveal themselves. Her radiant yet guarded performance keeps viewers guessing: is Sophie a hero, a detective, or a pawn in a larger game?
The ensemble cast is a masterclass in acting, with Miranda Richardson delivering a standout performance as Rose, Connie’s sister and a keeper of the island’s darkest truths. Richardson’s face, a canvas of subtle twitches and fleeting expressions, conveys a lifetime of pain, scorn, and resignation. Her Australian accent wavers at times, but her raw intensity makes it a minor quibble—Rose is a character you can’t look away from, equal parts fragile and formidable. Helen Thomson, as the petulant yet magnetic Enigma, steals every scene she’s in. Enigma, the now-adult baby at the center of the Munro mystery, runs morbid tours of the island’s past while grappling with her own fractured identity. Thomson’s portrayal is both hilarious and heartbreaking, making Enigma a complex figure who’s as infuriating as she is sympathetic.
Danielle Macdonald’s Veronika, Connie’s granddaughter, adds another layer of tension, her initial hostility toward Sophie masking a deep-seated fear of the truth. Supporting players like Claude Scott-Mitchell as Grace, a young mother battling postnatal depression, and Uli Latukefu as her supportive husband Callum, bring depth to the show’s exploration of family dynamics. Every character, no matter how small, feels vividly alive, their secrets intertwining to create a tapestry of suspense that keeps you hooked.
A Darker, More Devastating Tone
What sets The Last Anniversary apart from Moriarty’s other adaptations, like Big Little Lies or Nine Perfect Strangers, is its unrelenting darkness. While Big Little Lies balanced its murder mystery with soapy drama and biting humor, The Last Anniversary leans into a heavier, more gothic tone. The show doesn’t shy away from exploring raw themes—grief, betrayal, postpartum struggles, and the weight of generational trauma. Viewers have called it “devastating,” and for good reason: the series doesn’t just unravel secrets; it forces its characters to confront the pain they’ve buried for decades.
The Munro Baby Mystery serves as the narrative backbone, but it’s the emotional stakes that hit hardest. The disappearance of Alice and Jack is less about whodunit and more about why—and how the aftermath shaped the women left behind. Enigma’s tours of the Munro cabin, complete with ghoulish theatrics, contrast starkly with the private agony of Rose and Grace, creating a haunting juxtaposition of public spectacle and personal sorrow. The show’s pacing, while occasionally slow to build its world, rewards patient viewers with a finale that’s both shocking and deeply satisfying. As one fan put it, “Just when you think you know everything, you realize you don’t.”
Scribbly Gum Island: A Character in Itself
The fictional Scribbly Gum Island is more than a setting—it’s a living, breathing presence that amplifies the show’s eerie atmosphere. Filmed in stunning locations around Sydney’s Hawkesbury River, the island feels both idyllic and oppressive, its lush landscapes and crashing waves hiding a sinister underbelly. The Munro cabin, with its creaking floors and faded photographs, becomes a symbol of the past’s grip on the present. The show’s cinematography, with its muted greens and grays, enhances the gothic vibe, while the sound design—think howling winds and distant gulls—keeps you on edge.
The island’s isolation, accessible only at low tide, mirrors the characters’ emotional seclusion. It’s a place where secrets fester, and the arrival of an outsider like Sophie acts as a catalyst for chaos. The show cleverly uses the island’s history as a true-crime hotspot to poke fun at our obsession with sensationalized mysteries, while never losing sight of the human cost at its core. It’s a delicate balance, and director John Polson, along with writer Samantha Strauss, pulls it off with finesse.
Nicole Kidman’s Producing Prowess
Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, alongside Bruna Papandrea’s Made Up Stories, has a track record of bringing Moriarty’s stories to life, and The Last Anniversary is no exception. Kidman’s decision to champion this project, first discussed in 2019, reflects her knack for spotting stories that resonate with women of all ages. While she doesn’t star in the series, her influence is felt in the script’s focus on complex female characters and its refusal to shy away from messy, imperfect relationships. The show joins Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers in Kidman’s growing portfolio of female-driven dramas, cementing her as a producer who amplifies bold, authentic voices.
Why It’s a Must-Watch
The Last Anniversary has been called Kidman’s darkest project yet, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not just the mystery of a missing couple or the weight of a cursed inheritance—it’s the way the show peels back the layers of its characters, exposing their flaws and fears with unflinching honesty. Fans have praised its “10/10” performances, with Palmer, Richardson, and Thomson earning particular acclaim for their ability to balance humor and heartbreak. The series’ ability to be both thought-provoking and wildly entertaining makes it a standout in 2025’s crowded TV landscape.
For those who loved Big Little Lies for its blend of drama and intrigue, The Last Anniversary takes things a step further, trading coastal glamour for gothic intensity. It’s a show that demands your attention, pulling you into its web of secrets and refusing to let go. Whether you’re drawn to the stellar cast, the haunting setting, or the promise of a mystery that cuts deeper than most, this series delivers on every front. As Sophie uncovers the truth about Scribbly Gum Island, you’ll find yourself questioning what you’d do when faced with secrets too twisted to forget.
Available on BBC iPlayer, AMC+, and Binge, The Last Anniversary is a binge-worthy triumph that proves Liane Moriarty’s stories—and Nicole Kidman’s vision—still have the power to captivate and devastate. Buckle up for a storm of emotions, because this is one island you won’t leave unscathed.
