Ranked: All 9 Harlan Coben TV Shows on Netflix

The Adaptations of Harlan Coben: A Journey Through Netflix’s Thrilling Landscape

Harlan Coben has emerged as one of the most prolific authors in the mystery genre over the past three decades. His intricate plots filled with unexpected twists have easily translated into captivating miniseries, predominantly available on Netflix. Thus far, eight of Coben’s acclaimed novels have been adapted, with varying degrees of success across the board. Many of these adaptations have garnered positive feedback, demonstrating Coben’s narratives’ inherent suitability for the miniseries format.

Shows like Safe, The Stranger, The Woods, The Innocent, Stay Close, and Fool Me Once have all been rated as “Fresh”on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating their critical acclaim. Yet, the adventures within the so-called Coben-verse haven’t been unfettered triumphs. Titles such as Gone for Good and Hold Tight have left critics and audiences unimpressed, showcasing a more polarized reception for certain projects.

Harlan Coben’s Netflix Series	Release Date	Episodes	Rotten Tomatoes Score
Safe	May 2018	8	71%
The Stranger	January 2020	8	87%
The Woods	June 2020	6	89%
The Innocent	April 2021	8	100%
Gone For Good	August 2021	5	34%*
Stay Close	December 2021	8	92%
Hold Tight	April 2022	6	39%*
Fool Me Once	January 2024	8	69%
Missing You	January 2025	5	50%

*audience score only

9 Gone For Good (2021)

The Disappearance of a Man’s Girlfriend Connects to a Past Incident

Inspired by Coben’s 2002 novel, Gone For Good is a captivating French-language thriller that ultimately falls short of its source material. Helmed by a talented cast, including Finnegan Oldfield and Nicolas Duvauchelle, the series employs a multi-timeline narrative to explore themes of family tragedy and buried secrets. The tale unfolds around Guillaume, whose girlfriend’s enigmatic disappearance links to a traumatic event from a decade ago.

Despite attempting an innovative storytelling approach, the series’ slow pacing detracts from the excitement typically found in Coben’s narratives. This lack of urgency further accentuates the disparity between the novel’s gripping pace and the series’ leisurely unfolding storyline.

8 Hold Tight (2022)

Parents Worry About Their Kids in the Aftermath of a Death

In an engaging exploration of the parental psyche, Hold Tight delves into the impact of a local student’s death on a community of protective parents. Coben effectively juxtaposes older and younger characters, yet the adaptation struggles with coherence.

While the miniseries highlights crucial questions about child safety versus overprotectiveness, its convoluted narrative, which weaves multiple storylines, ultimately leaves many viewers puzzled. As a result, the adaptation faced significant criticism, reflected in its dismal audience rating of just 39% on Rotten Tomatoes.

7 Missing You (2024)

A Detective’s Missing Fiancé Shows Up on a Dating App a Decade Later

In Missing You, NYPD detective Kat Donovan encounters a shocking twist when her long-lost fiancé Josh resurfaces on a dating platform ten years after his disappearance. As Kat investigates, she uncovers a sinister network involving kidnappers and dangerous criminals.

While the show retains elements of shocking revelations characteristic of Coben’s works, critics note that it sacrifices in-depth character development. Nonetheless, fans of Coben’s previous adaptations may find much to appreciate, even if it doesn’t quite measure up to his best narratives.

6 Fool Me Once (2024)

A Woman Discovers Her Supposedly Dead Husband May Be Alive

Fool Me Once offers a plethora of unexpected plot twists and turns, captivating audiences with its lead character, Maya Stern, played by Michelle Keegan. The narrative follows Maya, whose world is turned upside down when her deceased husband seemingly reappears through a baby monitor.

Although Fool Me Once may stretch credibility at times, critics generally praise its engaging storyline and unexpected dramatic revelations. The show’s willingness to adapt the original material, while altering substantial narrative components, creates a thrilling, binge-worthy experience.

5 The Stranger (2020)

A Secret from an Unknown Woman Turns a Man’s Life Upside Down

The series The Stranger effectively captures the essence of Coben’s 2015 novel, enveloping viewers in an atmosphere of suspicion and deception. Starring Richard Armitage as Adam Price, the series begins with a chance encounter with a mysterious woman who unveils a shocking secret about his wife.

Despite its strong adherence to the plot of the original novel, the adaptation struggles to maintain the thrilling essence that defines Coben’s written works. Still, it stands out as a compelling, well-produced thriller.

4 Safe (2018)

A Widower Searches for His Missing Daughter

As the inaugural collaboration between Harlan Coben and Netflix, Safe remains one of the most highly regarded adaptations. Unlike many of the series based on Coben’s novels, Safe presents an original story, centering on Tom, a widowed father portrayed by Michael C. Hall, whose world collapses when his daughter goes missing.

Although Safe presents certain melodramatic elements and contrived plot points, Hall’s compelling lead performance and an ensemble cast elevate it significantly. The series is noted for its cliffhangers and intriguing characters, making it a highly bingeable experience.

3 Stay Close (2021)

A Disappearance Connects to Three Different Storylines

Another collaboration featuring Richard Armitage, Stay Close exemplifies many of Coben’s intrinsic motifs. The series unfolds through three seemingly unrelated characters, all linked by the mysterious disappearance of Stewart Greene, which jeopardizes their lives.

Stay Close skillfully intertwines its narratives and maintains an engaging pace. Embracing the absurdity often found in Coben’s works, the series shines through compelling performances, particularly that of Cush Jumbo, who embodies the character Megan Pierce/Cassie Morris with depth and nuance.

2 The Woods (2020)

A Detective Looks into Past and Present Crimes

The Woods exemplifies masterful storytelling through its adept use of non-linear narratives. Set in two distinct timeframes, this Polish-language adaptation intertwines a detective’s present-day murder investigation with the haunting memories of a childhood event from 1994.

Characterized by a brooding atmosphere, The Woods artfully balances its two timelines, resulting in a compelling and emotionally resonant conclusion. This series offers a grittier take on Coben’s storytelling compared to some of his lighter adaptations, demanding the audience’s attention while delivering a suspenseful experience.

1 The Innocent (2021)

A Man Attempts to Put His Life Back Together After Being Imprisoned

Regarded as the finest Harlan Coben adaptation to date, The Innocent is a Spanish-language series that skillfully weaves a poignant narrative of guilt and redemption. The storyline follows Mateo, who becomes embroiled in a tragic nightclub brawl that alters his life significantly.

The series masterfully balances emotional depth with thrilling plot twists. Coben’s adept storytelling ensures that even the most outrageous elements feel authentic. This series might surprise fans with its darker tones, but it effectively reflects Coben’s range as an author.

Future Harlan Coben Shows

A composite image of Harlan Coben and his books

Looking ahead, the continuing success of Coben’s adaptations portends an exciting future for fans. With several projects in the pipeline, noteworthy adaptations include works featuring recurring character Myron Bolitar, who navigates a dual life as a sports agent and amateur detective.

Additionally, three upcoming adaptations are anticipated. These include the 2025 release of Missing You and adaptations of Coben’s novels Caught, I Will Find You, and Run Away, each shot in various international settings.

Each new series promises to explore Coben’s rich narratives and enticing characters. With his extensive bibliography attracting devoted fans, it seems this is just the beginning for Harlan Coben adaptations.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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