Run Away Netflix Series: Release Date, Full Cast Details and Trailer for Harlan Coben Adaptation

Netflix has set January 1, 2026 as the release date for Run Away, the next television adaptation from bestselling author Harlan Coben. The eight-episode thriller will arrive all at once on the streaming service, continuing the successful partnership that has brought viewers hits like Fool Me Once and Missing You. Starring James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones, and Minnie Driver, the series tells the tense story of a father whose search for his missing daughter uncovers dangerous family secrets.

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The first trailer for the series was released in early December 2025, giving viewers a direct look at the mystery and emotional turmoil at the story’s core. The project is based on Coben’s 2019 novel of the same name and, like his other Netflix adaptations, moves the setting from the United States to the United Kingdom. Filming took place across Northern England, including locations in Manchester, Liverpool, and on Saddleworth Moor.

The Story and Characters of Run Away

Run Away follows Simon Greene, a man who appears to have a perfect life with a loving family and a successful career. This stability shatters when his eldest daughter, Paige, suddenly disappears. Simon’s desperate search leads him to a shocking discovery: he finds Paige in a public park, visibly distressed and struggling with drug use. A confrontation with a man she is with turns violent, and in the chaos, Simon loses sight of his daughter once more.

His mission to find Paige again pulls him into a dark and dangerous world. The situation grows more complicated when it is revealed that the man from the park, Aaron, has been murdered. This connects Simon’s personal crisis to a police investigation led by Detective Isaac Fagbenle, played by Alfred Enoch. Simultaneously, a private investigator named Elena Ravenscroft is also looking for Paige, forcing Simon to decide whether to work with her or go it alone.

Coben has described the series as an “emotional roller coaster” that explores intense themes of family, addiction, and the secrets people keep. He shared that the initial idea for the story came from a personal moment of panic as a parent.

“I found some drug paraphernalia in her room when she was a teenager. But she swears it was a friend’s pipe,” Coben recalled about his daughter. “And of course, my mind spiraled, which is what it does.”

The search for the actress to play the runaway daughter, Paige, was extensive. Coben stated that Ellie de Lange won the role because she captured “both the strength and the frailty” of the character.

Meet the Cast and Creative Team

The series features a large and notable cast led by James Nesbitt as Simon Greene. Nesbitt, who also starred in Coben’s Missing You, described connecting to this role on a personal level. “This is a character who’s a father,” he said. “I am a father, of girls. It’s something that unquestionably you tap into.”

He is joined by Ruth Jones, famed for Gavin & Stacey, who plays private investigator Elena Ravenscroft. Jones praised the unique dynamic between their characters, noting it is not a romantic relationship but a compelling partnership formed out of necessity. Minnie Driver plays Simon’s wife, Ingrid Greene, who is grappling with the collapse of her family.

The supporting cast includes several recognizable faces from British television and film:

• Alfred Enoch as Detective Isaac Fagbenle
• Lucian Msamati as Cornelius Faber
• Jon Pointing as Ash
• Adrian Greensmith as Sam Greene, Simon and Ingrid’s son
• Ellie Henry as Anya Greene, the younger daughter

The series is produced by Quay Street Productions, which has collaborated with Coben on several previous projects. Coben serves as an executive producer through his company, Final Twist Productions. The lead writer and executive producer is Danny Brocklehurst, who also worked on Fool Me Once, ensuring a consistent tone with Coben’s other Netflix hits. Directors Nimer Rashed and Isher Sahota helmed the episodes.

Filming Locations and Series Details

Production for Run Away began in January 2025 in England. The filming primarily took place in the North of England, utilizing the landscapes and urban settings of Greater Manchester and Liverpool. Specific scenes were shot on Saddleworth Moor, known for its bleak and atmospheric scenery, and in Liverpool’s historic Georgian Quarter.

This UK setting is a deliberate choice for Coben’s Netflix adaptations, relocating the American settings of his novels to create a distinct visual identity for the shows. Danny Brocklehurst joked about the practical benefit of the location, saying he liked to shoot “near my house.”

The series is officially rated 16+ on Netflix, indicating mature content related to the thriller’s themes of violence, crime, and drug use. The full season of eight episodes will be available for streaming at 12:00 AM Pacific Time on New Year’s Day, 2026.

Ruth Jones highlighted the collaborative atmosphere on set and her experience working with James Nesbitt. “I was a little trepidatious about it because I have always been a big admirer of his work… but instantly we just seemed to click,” she said. She also praised the bold costume choices for her character, Elena, which she felt reflected the character’s unique and determined personality.

Credits: Netflix Tudum

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