Run Away

James Nesbitt stars as Simon Greene, a father determined to find his missing daughter, in Run Away, the latest of Netflix’s Harlan Coben adaptations. Six months after she ran out of the family home, Simon spots her busking in a park. While trying to convince her to come back, he’s approached by her addict boyfriend, Aaron (Thomas Flynn), and the pair get into a savage fight that goes viral. When Aaron is later found brutally murdered in his flat, Simon is marked as the prime suspect. Meanwhile, tenacious private investigator Elana Ravenscroft (Ruth Jones) is investigating another missing person, and two killers for hire (Jon Pointing and Maeve Courtier-Lilley) are on the road completing jobs. The mystery only thickens as the investigation continues in what is the most compelling entry in Netflix’s Coben collection to date.

The plot twists come at a generous pace as Simon and his wife (and a wonderful Minnie Driver) are thrust into the centre of an elaborate conspiracy. Everything goes further than viewers initially suspect, and everyone is hiding something. It’s all par for the course for a Coben thriller, but it’s done exceedingly well here. Each revelation raises intriguing lines of inquiry for the show to explore to gripping effect, with enticing cliffhangers leaving audiences eager to find out what happens next.

Nesbitt is sensational in the starring role. The acting veteran articulates Simon’s concern and rage with such force that it’s impossible not to become swept up in his ongoing turmoil. Some of his dialogue can occasionally lean on the corny side whenever the script aims for levity, but Nesbitt brings enough deadpan charm for these moments to work. Jones, too, gives a noteworthy performance as Elana, who’s a constant highlight whenever she’s onscreen. However, it’s Pointing and Courtier-Lilley’s murderous duo who stand out as the show’s most fascinating element, with the combination of their infectious chemistry and unknown motivations making them a dangerous enigma.

Run Away has all the hallmarks that audiences have come to expect from a Coben adaptation. However, it executes them better than any of the streaming service’s other outings. Throw in fabulous turns from the cast, and this could be the show that wins over those who haven’t been caught up in the Coben craze.

Andrew Murray

Run Away is released on Netflix on 1^st January 2026.

Watch the trailer for Run Away here: