Let's discuss Kaley Cuoco's shocking 'Vanished' end with Sam Claflin

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAYMon, February 23, 2026 at 2:36 PM UTC

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Spoiler warning: This story discusses and reveals the ending of "Vanished," now streaming on MGM+.

We loved Kaley Cuoco's bad-ass ending in "Vanished" so much that we had to show it again and discuss.

As forewarned, Cuoco's Nancy Drew-esque paleontologist Alice Monroe survives the four-part action series in France and is reunited with her missing boyfriend, the suspiciously-perfect humanitarian Tom Parker (Sam Claflin).

But the best part of the "Vanished" ending is that, after the expected Tom apology and romantic night of passion, Alice doesn't stay for the happy ending. True to the show's title, she vanishes, leaving poor, mostly-naked Tom in bed the morning after. But, seriously, who leaves sleeping Sam Claflin looking like that?

All is forgiven? Not really in "Vanished." Alice Monroe (Kaley Cuoco) and Tom Parker (Sam Claflin).

Tom wakes up to a kiss-off note as Alice strides into the streets of Marseilles and grabs a taxi, while Jaakko Eino Kalevi's "Macho" plays. She gives a slight smile before ducking into the back seat. Nails the landing.

Why Kaley Cuoco leaves Sam Claflin in 'Vanished'

Alice has her reasons to leave town and Tom. In Episode 1, Tom and those cheekbones mysteriously disappear during a high-speed train ride through Southern France. Just gone. Alice's increasingly frantic search for her boyfriend turns into a dangerous trafficking conspiracy involving international crime figures, corrupt officials, with every signal suggesting that Tom is not who he claimed to be.

Alice never falters in her suspicions. And she's proven right after the finale shoot-out. Then Tom's like, "Sorry, that won't ever happen again." Smooch. Smooch. Yet, before you can say "happy ending," Alice exits stage awesome. At least she leaves a note.

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Executive producer and director Barnaby Thompson tells USA TODAY that the romantic reconciliation wouldn't have worked after Tom disappeared.

"Tom really put Alice in an unacceptable situation," says Thompson. "She leaves him with some sadness, but at the same time she knows that she deserves more."

A traditional romantic ending was considered for "Vanished," but would have been too tidy and "not true emotionally," says Thompson.

Promo image for vanished

Cuoco told USA TODAY that the limited series is just that. "'Vanished' is all tied up in a bow," she says.

But an exit like this demands attention. And maybe another season.

"Maybe we can do it again, and they get back together," says Thompson. "Who knows?"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kaley Cuoco's 'Vanished' ending with naked Sam Claflin is classic

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