"The Vanishings" has been broadcast before – in Ireland and across the world as "The Vanishing Triangle" (see FAQ below for the reason why) – but premieres on U.K. terrestrial TV on Channel 5 as interest in the cases of the young women who disappeared quite rightly shows no signs of abating. Allen Leech and India Mullen star in this drama.
Below we explain how to watch "The Vanishings" from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE!
"The Vanishings" premieres on Channel 5 at 9 p.m. GMT on Thursday, February 6 and is available to stream on My5.
• FREE STREAM — Channel 5/My5 (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN risk-free
Investigative journalist Lisa Wallace (played by Mullen) publishes an article about her mother's murder and then Amy Reynolds disappears . She and Detective David Burkely (Leech) embark upon an investigation that takes them round Ireland but more young women go missing.
The killer, getting a sick kick out of it all, enjoys playing psychological games but corruption within the top ranks of the Garda keeps him out of reach. When Lisa eventually faces off with the killer she must overcome her childhood trauma in order to save the other victims of "The Vanishings".
Keep reading for all the details on where to watch "The Vanishings" online from anywhere today.
How to watch 'The Vanishings' for free in the U.K.
"The Vanishings" drops on Channel 5 on Thursday, February 6 at 9 p.m. GMT and is available to stream on My5. It also aired on Acorn TV last year (as "The Vanishing Triangle") and is still available to stream there.
Traveling outside the U.K.? Don't worry — you can watch "The Vanishings" from anywhere in the world with a VPN. Read on and we'll explain how.
How to watch 'The Vanishings' from abroad
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "The Vanishings" on your usual Channel 5 account? Don't panic.
You can still watch the show thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best VPN on the market.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple, just follow these steps.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're visiting the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select a U.K. location from the server list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Channel 5 and watch "The Vanishings" online just like you would at home.
Where to watch 'The Vanishings' around the world
How to watch 'The Vanishings' in the U.S. and Canada
"The Vanishings" first premiered in the U.S. on Sundance Now in October 2023 and is still available to catch (as "The Vanishing Triangle") on AMC+ (FREE trial). It is also available to watch in Canada on both of those services, accessed via Amazon Prime.
However, if you're across the Atlantic and want to watch "The Vanishings" on your usual domestic streamer, you can do this by using a VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch 'The Vanishings' in Australia
"The Vanishings" premiered on Australian television (as "The Vanishing Triangle") on SBS in March 2024. It is still available to stream, for free.
Traveling abroad? Watch your usual domestic stream even when away for the holidays by using a VPN. Our favorite VPN for streaming is NordVPN.
'The Vanishings' cast
India Mullen - Lisa Wallace
Allen Leech - David Burkely
Aaron Monaghan - Gareth Brennan
Laoise Sweeney - Susan Reynolds
Derbhle Crotty - Barbara Abrahams
Stuart Dunne - Chris Wallace
Adam John Richardson - Tommy Stephens
Sarah Carroll - Mary Burkely
Philip O'Sullivan - Det. Chief Supt. Gill
Jana Mohieden - Mandy Clarke
Fionnuala Murphy - Frances Reynolds
Sheila Flitton - Betty Walsh
Kiera Crawford - Rachel Burkely
Carolyn Donnelly - Sinead Clarke
Grace Daly - Laura Doolan
Molly McCann - Young Lisa
Paul Ward - Billy Miller
Maura Foley - Janice Wallace
Stephen Hogan - Ger Gough
Brian Moore - Mark Bulger
Matt Ryan Jr. - Frank Carey
Brían Ó Súilleabháin - Male Officer
Fionnuala Gygax - Garda Róisín
Emily Kilkenny Roddy - Teresa Gannon
Nick Devlin - Doctor Taite
Micheál Woods - Young Chris
'The Vanishings' episode list
Season 01 Episode 01: Journalist Lisa Wallace receives a letter from her mother's killer, hinting at the kidnapping of another woman. Lisa and Detective David Burkely start working together to get to the bottom of the investigation.
S01 E02: David goes to Castlemoy to continue the investigation. He and Detective Brennan chase a lead that pins Mark Bulger, an ex-con, to the kidnapping of a young woman.
S01 E03: David and Brennan try to get a statement from Teresa and a confession from Bulger. Lisa uses her resources to confirm if Bulger could be both her mother's killer and Amy's kidnapper.
S01 E04: Lisa has until 5pm to make a decision: Susan or Mandy. Chris learns information crucial to the case that takes Lisa to an address, where she discovers incriminating information that someone tries to cover up
S01 E05: David and Brennan target Gough as the potential killer whilst Lisa tries to connect him to the kidnappings. Gill threatens to blackmail David if he continues his investigation of Gough. Lisa faces her worst fear with a hospital call about her father.
S01 E06: The investigation is halted. David confronts top Gardaí officials to expose Gill and Gough but finds no support. He reveals a long-hidden secret to his family. Lisa and Brennan follow a lead on the killer, investigating an abandoned slaughterhouse.
"The Vanishings" FAQ
Is "The Vanishings" based on a true story?
Yes. Originally titled "The Vanishing Triangle", the show is based on the unsolved disappearances of several Irish women in a triangle of land in the eastern part of the island, near the boundaries of Leinster, in an 80-mile area outside Dublin in the 1980s and 90s. The ages of the women ranged from late teens to early thirties and they disappeared suddenly, without an obvious explanation.
What else can I watch for free on Channel 5?
Lots – from historical docs such as "Mysteries From The Grave: Titanic" to dark thrillers such as "The Night Caller" and even Monday Night NFL football. Traveling outside the country? Here's our guide to watching watch U.K. TV from abroad.
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