Ruth Jones steals the show in Netflix’s new Harlan Coben thriller packed with twists – streaming now

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For many, New Year’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a Harlan Coben thriller. It’s become a recent tradition, and just when the holiday season seems over, Coben provides a welcome surprise with a new, eight-episode series that’s full of suspense.

“Run Away” follows Simon (James Nesbitt) as he frantically searches for his daughter, Paige (Ellie De Lange). When he finds her in a park, he hopes to convince her to come home, but things quickly become heated and spiral out of control. He loses track of Paige again, and a resulting violent encounter brings the police into the situation. Despite the growing trouble, Simon remains determined to find his daughter, even if it means facing danger and uncovering family secrets that could have devastating consequences.

Ruth Jones, known for her role in Gavin and Stacey, also appears in this series. Even though she’s a supporting character, her mysterious portrayal of Elena Ravenscroft is a big part of what makes the show so captivating.

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Elena immediately captures your attention. It’s fun trying to figure out if she’s a hero or a villain, especially since her motives aren’t immediately obvious. Even without revealing where her story goes, she’s simply a very entertaining character to watch.

She’s a complex character – both enigmatic and kind, honest yet sometimes misleading. She’s fiercely determined and will do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, but also possesses a surprising warmth. Jones perfectly embodies this layered personality, making the character instantly likable and relatable.

This show really revolves around Nesbitt, and he’s fantastic as the stressed, courageous, and determined father at its heart. While some plot points feel a bit unbelievable, Nesbitt’s performance ultimately makes the story work.

Driven by a frantic and desperate need to find his daughter, he consistently makes impulsive and dangerous choices. His overwhelming despair is palpable as he relentlessly pursues every possible clue.

The surprises in Run Away are a mixed bag – they’re among the series’ strongest points, but can also be really annoying. There are a lot of them, and most of the time they’re captivating and feel right for the story.

The pacing can be slow, with explanations drawn out too long, which lessens the surprise of the plot twists. Often, you’ll guess what’s happening before the characters do. Despite this, they remain enjoyable, as Harlan Coben’s novels often are.

The show’s strongest point is the connection between its characters. Nesbitt and Jones clearly understand each other, recognizing the struggles each has faced. Even though their lives take different turns, they work well together and are compelling as a pair.

Dee Dee (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) and Ash (Jon Pointing) have incredible chemistry together. Without giving away too much about who they are, there’s a genuine warmth between them that contrasts with how they present themselves. Courtier-Lilley and Pointing skillfully reveal the characters’ hidden vulnerabilities, making you feel protective of them, even when they’re difficult to like.

But it’s the ending that really makes Run Away special. The series carefully builds several storylines that mostly wrap up nicely. And just when you think you know how it all ends, Coben delivers a shocking final twist that still manages to be impactful, even with the lengthy build-up.

Yes, Run Away is definitely over-the-top, but that’s typical for a Harlan Coben novel. The key to enjoying it is to relax and embrace the wild ride.

Once you’ve seen it, this could be the ideal way to begin your 2026 viewing experience – full of surprising turns, intense moments, and heartfelt emotions, all in one package.

All episodes of Run Away are available to watch now on Netflix.

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2026-01-01 11:19