The MGM+ four-part original series 'Vanished' plunges viewers into a gripping mystery as Alice (Kaley Cuoco) relentlessly hunts for her boyfriend, Tom (Sam Claflin), after his perplexing disappearance aboard a train to the south of France. What begins as a much-needed Parisian getaway quickly transforms into a dangerous quest for truth, as Alice uncovers shocking secrets and lies that reveal the man she thought she knew was a complete stranger.

Kaley Cuoco, who also served as an Executive Producer, was drawn to the series due to her profound love for true crime, finding a deep connection with Alice's unwavering drive for answers. Unlike previous characters she's played, such as Cassie in 'The Flight Attendant', Alice is a grounded, organized, and career-focused individual whose well-structured life is shattered by Tom's betrayal. This contrast makes her ordeal even more terrifying: despite having her life together, she was completely duped, highlighting the profound impact of unexpected deceit.

The circumstances of Tom's disappearance on a moving train amplify the panic and desperation Alice experiences. Trapped in a foreign country, unable to immediately search for him, she innocently approaches the police only to find herself under suspicion. This terrifying scenario, where she has no one to trust and fears being framed, resonates with Cuoco's own fascination with true crime narratives and the insane decisions people make under duress. The idea that someone could simply vanish from a moving vehicle is a worst nightmare come true.

Sam Claflin was perfectly cast as Tom due to his inherent charm and authenticity, which made his character's long-term deception believable. Given their globe-trotting, episodic relationship, Alice never spent long periods with Tom, making it plausible that he could be leading a double life. Flashbacks initially portray their relationship with 'rose-colored glasses,' but as Alice delves deeper, her memories shift, revealing the romanticized version of Tom was far from reality. Claflin's ability to exude an innocent surface while hinting at an underlying edge effectively conveys why Alice never suspected him, especially as he appeared to be a humanitarian 'global ambassador.'

A central emotional anchor of 'Vanished' is the unexpected and fierce friendship that blossoms between Alice and Hélène (Karin Viard). Cuoco describes this bond as the 'real love story' of the series. Initially, Hélène offers assistance as an interpreter, becoming the only person helping Alice. Despite Hélène's chaotic nature and Alice's growing suspicion, the lack of other allies forces Alice to place her trust in this woman, leading to a genuinely special relationship where they mutually support each other through their respective ordeals.

When Alice finally confronts Tom, his cold dismissal, stating their relationship is 'over,' is met with a surprisingly controlled reaction from Alice. This was a deliberate choice, as Alice was aware of surveillance from watching police. In such profound betrayal, one can either erupt in rage or be left speechless by the sheer shock. Alice chose the latter, maintaining her composure, still clinging to the hope that 'something is going on' beyond a simple breakup. Her gut feeling proves correct, as Tom is revealed not as a villain, but as an Interpol agent. While this truth might offer some comfort that her judge of character wasn't entirely broken, the scale of his deception – leaving her to face kidnapping and violence – makes forgiveness impossible. Cuoco firmly believes there's no coming back from such a colossal breach of trust, even if he had a 'reason.'

The series finale features Alice leaving Tom a pointed note: 'Dear Tom, at least I had the good manners to leave you a fucking note.' Cuoco personally added the expletive, emphasizing Alice's final act of defiance and highlighting Tom's egregious failure to provide even the simplest explanation, despite his high-stakes work. This small but powerful detail underscores his lack of true love for her, enabling Alice to find closure and move on.

While Cuoco loved the experience and the character, she views 'Vanished' as a complete story, unlikely to have a second season, though she acknowledges 'TV is weird.' She expresses hope that Alice and Hélène maintain a lifelong friendship, laughing and talking regularly. Looking ahead, Cuoco is excited about her upcoming HBO comedy series, 'Kansas City Star,' developed with the 'Hacks' team (Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky). Slated to begin shooting by late 2024 or early 2027, the show promises a return to her roots in pure, self-deprecating comedy, inspired by a personal experience.