Playing Gracie Darling

When she was 14, Joni watched her friend Gracie Darling vanish during a séance, a disappearance that never got resolved. Nearly three decades later the town still carries that chill, and a childish pastime called 'Playing Gracie Darling' turns ugly when another girl goes missing under similar conditions. Now a child psychologist, Joni goes back home to face old wounds and the town's whispered secrets. She teams up with local sergeant Jay to follow leads, while Gracie's sister Ruth endures the terror of a repeat nightmare. The series traces investigations, fractured relationships, and how memories harden into suspicion without revealing any final twists.

The series premiered in 2025, created by Miranda Nation, and stars Morgana O'Reilly as Joni and Rudi Dharmalingam as Jay, with Annie Maynard, Anne Tenney, and Dominic Ona-Ariki in supporting roles. Production details emphasize a moody, small town aesthetic and tight ensemble work.

Although relatively new, the show generated steady online conversation about its eerie premise and the game that lends the series its title. Viewers have started fan threads and theory posts piecing together clues and debating what the town actually remembers versus what it chooses to forget.

As of now the series has not received major award nominations, so there are no Emmy or Golden Globe recognitions to report. It remains a title that critics and viewers are still assessing season by season.

Critical response has been mixed to positive, with particular praise for O'Reilly's layered performance and for the slow-burn atmosphere. Some reviewers note uneven pacing, but many appreciate the focus on memory, grief, community responsibility, and how folklore can shape real harm. Overall it appeals to viewers who like mystery with psychological stakes and a strong sense of place.