Harlan Coben has become a staple for suspense lovers, particularly on Netflix, where his twisty thrillers have found a perfect home. These shows are known for their addictive plots, shocking reveals, and characters who seem like ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations. Coben’s knack for keeping audiences guessing until the very end is the reason they’re so popular, and with numerous series available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
So let’s start with “The Stranger” a Studio Canal production from 2020, a show that immediately grabs your attention. Richard Armitage stars as Adam Price, a man whose life is turned upside down by a stranger, played with unsettling coolness by Hannah John-Kamen, who reveals a shocking secret about his wife, Corinne, played by Dervla Kirwan. As Adam tries to uncover the truth, he spirals into a web of conspiracies, family secrets, and dangerous individuals. The supporting cast including Siobhan Finneran as a police detective, adds weight to the drama, as does Anthony Head as Adam’s father. The show, adapted from Coben’s novel of the same name, keeps viewers guessing and is a great place to start with Coben’s Netflix output.
Next up is “Safe,” a Netflix production from 2018, which stars Michael C. Hall as Tom Delaney, a widowed surgeon struggling to connect with his two teenage daughters. After one of his daughters goes missing, Tom is forced to confront dark secrets among his friends, family and neighbors. Amanda Abbington plays Sophie, Tom’s girlfriend and a police detective, and Audrey Fleurot portrays Zoe, a woman with a hidden connection to the mystery. “Safe” is a masterclass in suburban noir, proving that the most dangerous secrets can hide in plain sight and the show ran for 8 episodes.
“Stay Close“, from 2021, is a Red production which features Cush Jumbo as Megan, a woman living under a new identity, years after a past life she thought she had left behind, James Nesbitt plays the detective who never forgot the case and Richard Armitage stars again as a photojournalist whose life becomes connected to Megan. Sarah Parish as Lorraine, a mysterious figure from Megan’s past and Eddie Izzard as a lawyer who is drawn into the case all add to the puzzle. “Stay Close” feels like everyone is hiding something, as Coben’s narratives often do.
Most recently, there’s “Fool Me Once“, a Netflix production from 2024. This series stars Michelle Keegan as Maya, a former soldier who is grieving the murder of her husband, Joe, played by Richard Armitage. She is shocked when she sees him appear on a nanny cam, this sends her down a rabbit hole of conspiracy, murder and hidden agendas. Adeel Akhtar portrays detective Sami Kierce, who is investigating the murder, and Joanna Lumley plays Joe’s mother. As with the best of Coben’s stories nothing is as it first seems, and the plot is full of twists and turns.
Now for the latest show from the master of the twist, “Missing You“, which premiered New Years Day. This series follows Detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), who is haunted by the disappearance of her fiancé, Josh (Ashley Walters). When Josh unexpectedly reappears on a dating app, Kat finds herself back on the trail of his disappearance, revisiting old wounds, family secrets, and long-buried truths. It’s another Coben adaptation with all of the elements we have come to expect. There are also appearances from what is turning into something of a Coben repertory company with key roles for Richard Armitage as untrustworthy cop Ellis Stagger and James Nesbitt and Steve Pemberton as bad guys Callaghan and Titus.
With each series, Coben’s ability to weave intricate plots with believable characters is apparent. Whether you prefer the suburban mystery of “Safe,” the shocking reveals of “The Stranger,” the complex timelines of “Stay Close“, or the relentless twists of “Fool Me Once,” there is something here for everyone. “Missing You” continues this tradition, guaranteeing another suspenseful ride for viewers.
