10 Best TV Shows Like Run Away

Netflix’s newest Harlan Coben adaptation, Run Away, has proven popular with viewers who are now searching for similar shows. The series is a strong addition to Netflix’s growing collection of crime thrillers, and it’s just one of many Coben stories the platform has brought to life over the past decade, establishing Netflix as a go-to source for this genre.

I just finished watching Run Away, and wow, it really got to me! It’s about a dad, Simon Green, played by James Nesbitt, whose teenage daughter vanishes, and his whole world falls apart. As he tries to find her, he uncovers all sorts of hidden secrets and realizes things aren’t what they seem – and it’s way bigger than just his family. Honestly, the mystery is so gripping and full of unexpected turns, it’s exactly what I look for in a good crime thriller. It really pulls you in and keeps you guessing!

Run Away is a gripping mystery series with well-developed, morally gray characters. It keeps you guessing with clever twists and turns, but never loses touch with genuine emotion. Typical of Harlan Coben’s work, the story centers on a desperate and loving main character who finds themselves caught in a complicated situation where every new discovery leads to more questions about who to trust, and who is really at fault.

The best crime thrillers combine the details of police work with compelling stories about the people involved, often putting everyday individuals into intense situations. Viewers enjoy trying to solve the mystery alongside the investigators, questioning the suspects, and figuring out why people are doing what they’re doing. The most successful shows make all these elements work together, and feature characters with believable flaws that make them relatable. Unlike many other dramas, a truly great crime thriller stays with you long after you’ve finished watching, sparking conversations and encouraging repeat viewings.

Streaming services have become very successful with thriller shows because they can tell complex, ongoing stories without being limited by weekly schedules. This format lets them accurately adapt books and develop detailed plots. They also excel at creating original thrillers that look and feel like movies, while still focusing on rich characters and thoughtful storytelling.

Many crime thrillers on streaming services, whether based on books or created as original stories, are pushing the limits of the genre. They often combine suspense with deeply personal stories, creating a viewing experience that feels both new and emotionally impactful. With viewers looking for shows that are rewarding and keep them engaged over time, series like Run Away show why crime thrillers continue to be such a popular and captivating form of TV entertainment.

10. Missing You

The mystery series Missing You, based on a novel by Harlan Coben, centers around a search for answers after someone vanishes. Detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar) is shocked to find her long-lost fiancé on a dating app – he disappeared ten years ago! Featuring Richard Armitage (who’s appeared in other Coben adaptations), Missing You is a gripping and fast-paced show that’s perfect for binge-watching.

9. The Perfect Couple

Netflix’s new miniseries, The Perfect Couple, is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s popular novel of the same name. Starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber, the show centers around a puzzling couple and a family secret, all unfolding during a glamorous wedding on Nantucket. The celebration is quickly overshadowed when a death occurs, turning the event into a mystery.

With a mix of mystery and personal conflicts, The Perfect Couple delves into the hidden lives of affluent families and those connected to them. Similar to Run Away, the show builds suspense gradually, revealing secrets piece by piece to keep you engaged. It features well-developed characters and compelling plot twists.

8. Safe

“Safe,” the latest series adapted from a Harlan Coben novel, follows surgeon Tom Delaney, played by Michael C. Hall, as he frantically searches for his teenage daughter after she goes missing. Her disappearance following a party unravels secrets and forces Delaney to re-evaluate everything he thought he knew about his life.

Delaney keeps investigating, even as he uncovers secrets and deception within his new, wealthy neighborhood. Like the series Run Away, Safe uses a seemingly normal suburban setting to build a compelling mystery. The show reveals hidden truths about its characters, using suspense and relatable emotions to keep viewers engaged.

7. Bloodline

The Netflix series Bloodline centers on the Rayburn family, whose carefully constructed facade begins to crumble when their estranged brother, Danny (Ben Mendelsohn), returns home. What starts as a family gathering quickly unravels as secrets from Danny’s past – and his complex relationships with his siblings John (Kyle Chandler), Meg (Linda Cardellini), and Kevin (Norbert Leo Butz) – are revealed.

Set in the beautiful Florida Keys, Bloodline is a compelling series that combines family drama with a gradually unfolding mystery over its three seasons. The show is full of crime, lies, and betrayals, and it really focuses on complex characters and hidden secrets that are revealed bit by bit. Its slow reveal of past events and the tension within the family create a similar atmosphere to the series Run Away.

6. The Innocent

Netflix

The 2021 miniseries The Innocent is a suspenseful thriller based on a novel by Harlan Coben. It follows Mateo (Mario Casas), who is attempting to rebuild his life with his wife after a fatal accident. However, his past comes back to haunt him, pulling him into a complicated and dangerous mystery.

The Innocent is a suspenseful series that combines thrilling twists with characters trying to make amends for their past mistakes. It starts with a simple premise – unexpected consequences – and then shows how those consequences affect everyone involved. The story keeps you guessing by constantly revealing new information that changes your understanding of the characters and their secrets.

5. The Survivors

The Australian miniseries The Survivors is based on Jane Harper’s novel and centers around Kieran Elliott, who revisits a coastal town marked by a tragic event from the past. Fifteen years after a devastating storm and several disappearances, a new murder stirs up old secrets and reignites conflict within the community. Like the series Run Away, it combines a compelling investigation with deep emotional stories and unresolved mysteries from the characters’ pasts.

“The Survivors” is a captivating thriller that builds suspense through complex characters and a layered plot. It’s a slow-burn mystery, similar to Harlan Coben’s series, that draws viewers in and offers emotional resonance alongside the central whodunit.

4. The Stranger

Based on another Harlan Coben novel, The Stranger is a captivating mystery brought to life as a limited series. The story centers around a mysterious woman who exposes shocking secrets about everyday people. When she tells Adam Price (Richard Armitage) something about his wife, his world quickly falls apart, leading to disappearances and a complex conspiracy.

This series builds suspense by showing how a single discovery can trigger a chain of events, much like Run Away. It expertly blends compelling characters with a captivating mystery. The story unfolds through a complex plot filled with interconnected secrets, both personal and those affecting the wider community, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

3. The Beast In Me

Courtesy of Netflix

The new Netflix thriller, The Beast In Me, features Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes in a suspenseful story about a well-known author who becomes fixated on her enigmatic neighbor, who is a suspect in his wife’s death. The series delves into themes of mistrust, uncovering the truth, and how easily people can be manipulated as the author investigates a potential history of hidden violence.

I’m really hooked on this show – it’s a lot like Run Away in the way it blends a central mystery with really deep character studies. What keeps me coming back is how it plays with what seems real versus what’s actually going on, and how the suspense builds around the secrets people keep from each other. If you like thrillers that focus on characters and slowly reveal layers of truth, this is definitely one to watch!

2. Fool Me Once

The new Netflix series, Fool Me Once, is based on Harlan Coben’s popular novel and centers around a thrilling murder mystery. When Maya Stern (played by Michelle Keegan) spots her husband—whom she believed was dead—on a security camera, she starts investigating a complex conspiracy. The show blends themes of loss, suspense, and surprising discoveries as Maya tries to uncover the truth.

Fool Me Once takes the pain of loss and the feeling of not knowing what’s true and turns it into a gripping mystery. The story builds suspense and explores complex emotions, keeping you hooked until the very end. Like Run Away, it slowly reveals clues and personal connections, making it a great choice for viewers who enjoy thrillers based on books with plenty of twists and emotional depth.

1. Adolescence

The Netflix series Adolescence follows the events after a teenager is arrested for murder. It shows how the community and the teen’s family deal with feelings of guilt, try to place blame, and question who they are. The series is filmed in a unique style, using long, unbroken shots, and explores both the emotional and legal consequences of the crime.

Though it prioritizes character development over typical thriller elements, this show, like Run Away, skillfully blends mystery with emotionally resonant stories. Its critical success and focus on uncovering hidden truths and morally complex characters will likely attract viewers who enjoy mysteries that make them think.

2026-01-06 04:11