ENTERTAINMENTShocking Twists Unraveled: The Mysterious Disappearance of Madison in 'The Beast in Me'
'The Beast in Me' is a tense Netflix thriller about disappearance, murder and Nile Jarvis' dark downfall.
Nov. 22 2025, Published 3:00 p.m. ET
In The Beast in Me, Matthew Rhys stars as Nile Jarvis, a man haunted by the sudden disappearance of his first wife, Madison. The gripping miniseries dives deep into the dark alleys of his past, leaving viewers questioning the truth behind her mysterious fate.
As Nile's new neighbor, Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), grows suspicious of him, the plot thickens. By Episode 7, the show delivers devastating news: Madison was murdered.
Madison is Nile’s first wife who mysteriously disappears.
Released on Netflix, The Beast in Me quickly garnered 6.9 million views in its first four days, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative and stellar cast. The series follows Aggie, a novelist facing a creative block, who finds her inspiration in the scandalous life of her neighbor, Nile. Having fled to the suburbs with his second wife, Nina (Brittany Snow), Nile aims to escape the shadow of his first wife's disappearance.
Madison's fate remains a central mystery in the plot. As Aggie investigates Nile's life, more disappearances occur, leading to a rising body count. Did Nile kill Madison, or did she vanish without a trace? Let’s explore the unsettling details.
Episode 7 reveals Madison was murdered.
Who is Madison in The Beast in Me?
At first, Madison serves as an enigmatic figure known only as Nile's missing wife since 2019. It isn't until Episode 7, titled "Ghosts," that the audience finally meets her through flashbacks that reveal the circumstances of her exit from the limelight.
Madison had secretly informed the FBI about Nile.
Portrayed by Leila George, Madison is introduced as a gallerist involved in sourcing artwork for her family’s foundation. Then, Nina, her assistant, aspires to make her way in the art world. During a dramatic Christmas party in 2019, FBI agent Brian Abbott (David Lyons) crashes the event, making it clear that he’s been pursuing Nile for years. Tensions escalate as Madison has a heated confrontation with Abbott, leading her to insist Nile is innocent.
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
While Nile begins to feel the pressure of betrayal from someone within his circle, he grapples with an impending sense of foreboding.
Who Killed Madison in The Beast in Me?
Initially, Nile suspects Nina of leaking inside information to the FBI. However, it’s Madison who emerges as Abbott's informant. Their tense meeting leaves Madison feeling cornered, fearing for her life.
“When I look in your eyes too long, I see it — this animal. Maybe I always saw it, but I don't have a death wish anymore,” Madison tells Nile in a riveting encounter.
Nile killed Madison during a heated confrontation.
In a moment of rage, Nile confronts Madison and, after a physical struggle, he tragically kills her. The aftermath leads Nile to confide in his father, Martin (Jonathan Banks), and uncle, Rick (Tim Guinee), driving them to help cover up the horrific crime.
A fabricated suicide note — “Escape is such a thankful word...” — is discovered later, further complicating the narrative and fueling suspicion.
What Happens to Nile?
Nile, now living a life of crime, spirals further into darkness, even resorting to murder again. By the finale, his web of lies unravels. Aggie steps in to confront him, and in a twist of fate, records his confession regarding Madison's murder.
Nile later confessed, and his uncle arranged his death in prison.
With the walls closing in, Nile's uncle Rick decides to enlist against him, forcing Nile into a corner where he pleads guilty. In a haunting conclusion, a fellow inmate ends Nile's life in prison at Rick's orchestrated hands.
“Uncle Rick wasn’t content to let Nile live out his days in a prison jumpsuit,” Aggie narrates, tying up the sinister threads of the series.
'The Beast in Me' is now streaming on Netflix.
Where to Watch The Beast in Me
All eight episodes of The Beast in Me are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
