Run Away (TV series)
| Run Away | |
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 Release poster | |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Based on | Run Away by Harlan Coben |
| Developed by | Danny Brocklehurst |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Editor | David Fisher |
| Running time | 41–50 minutes |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 1 January 2026 |
Run Away is a British television miniseries made for streaming service Netflix, adapted from a novel by Harlan Coben. The series premiered on 1 January 2026 and it stars James Nesbitt, Alfred Enoch, Ruth Jones, Minnie Driver, and Ellie de Lange.
Premise
The drama follows investment banker Simon Greene (James Nesbitt), as he frantically searches for his runaway, drug-addicted daughter, Paige (Ellie de Lange). His investigation plunges him into a dangerous underworld, where dark secrets and violent truths threaten to shatter his seemingly perfect life. Along the way, Simon uncovers Paige’s hidden connections, including a mysterious young man named Aaron (Thomas Flynn), and confronts shocking revelations about his own family.
Cast
- James Nesbitt as Simon Greene
- Alfred Enoch as DS Isaac Fagbenle
- Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft, a private investigator
- Minnie Driver as Ingrid Greene, Simon's wife
- Ellie de Lange as Paige Greene, Simon and Ingrid's missing daughter
- Ingrid Oliver as Yvonne Previdi
- Amy Gledhill as DC Ruby Todd
- Jon Pointing as Ash
- Maeve Courtier-Lilley as Dee Dee/Holly
- Adrian Greensmith as Sam Greene
- Sam Swainsbury as Professor Van De Beek
- Annette Badland as Lou
- Tracy-Ann Oberman as Jessica Kinberg
- Ellie Henry as Anya Greene
- Lucian Msamati as Cornelius Faber, a friend and neighbour of Paige
- Thomas Flynn as Aaron Corval
- Simon Thorp as Sebastian Thorpe
- Marcus Fraser as Rocco, Paige's dealer
- Finty Williams as Enid Corval
- Joe McGann as Wiley Corval
- Chenée Taylor as Judy, Paige's college roommate
- Clara Lioe as Katie, Paige's college roommate
- Ken Bones as Casper Vartage , the cult leader
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
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| 1 | "Seeing is Believing" | Nimer Rashed | Danny Brocklehurst | 1 January 2026 | |
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Paige Greene has been missing for six months when her father, Simon, finds her in a park, under the influence of drugs. Simon’s attempt to take Paige home results in a physical confrontation with her boyfriend, Aaron, who is later found dead. Meanwhile, a woman named DeeDee and her companion, Ash, go on a killing spree. Simon and his wife, Ingrid, continue searching for Paige and, with the help of Cornelius, meet with her dealer, Rocco. Shortly after, another dealer named Luther shoots Ingrid. Cornelius shoots Luther in the shoulder, and Ingrid is left in a coma. Police once again question Simon, who maintains that he does not know who shot Luther. | |||||
| 2 | "Tattoos While U Wait" | Nimer Rashed | Tom Farrelly | 1 January 2026 | |
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Private investigator Elena Ravenscroft uncovers a connection between the disappearance of Henry and another victim, Damien, who is murdered by Ash and DeeDee. Meanwhile, Simon Greene’s search for Paige leads him to an adoption agency, where he discovers secrets about his wife Ingrid’s past involvement with a cult known as The Shining Truth. As Ash and DeeDee’s killing spree escalates, they murder Damien—shot by Ash—and later kill a witness. A photograph of Aaron and Paige found among their targets suggests a link to Aaron’s murder. | |||||
| 3 | "Breaking Point" | Nimer Rashed | Amanda Duke | 1 January 2026 | |
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Simon receives disturbing information about Paige at a memorial, while Elena visits a mysterious tattoo parlor that reveals a connection between Paige and another missing person, Henry. Meanwhile, hired killers Ash and DeeDee attempt to carry out a hit on Paige and Aaron, leading to a violent confrontation with drug dealer Rocco. During the clash, Ash is killed by Rocco’s associate, Luther, and DeeDee is pushed to her death by a mysterious woman linked to the cult known as The Shining Truth. | |||||
| 4 | "A Different Time" | Isher Sahota | Charlotte Coben | 1 January 2026 | |
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Simon investigates Paige’s university life and past, discovering her connection to Aaron. Meanwhile, Elena uncovers disturbing links between adoption cases and a cult, while DeeDee and Ash confront their traumatic past at a former foster home. The encounter spirals into violence as they attempt to escape the shadows of their history. | |||||
| 5 | "Forever Be The Shining Truth" | Isher Sahota | Charlotte Coben | 1 January 2026 | |
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Simon and Elena’s investigation intensifies as Simon collects DNA samples and confronts his family about long-buried secrets. At the same time, Elena uncovers Aaron’s ties to a cult known as Shining Haven and the existence of a possible half-sibling, leading her into dangerous encounters with cult members. The revelations culminate in a shocking twist involving Ingrid’s past and a cult leader, ending in a violent confrontation that leaves Ingrid rushed into surgery. | |||||
| 6 | "The Man I Knew" | Isher Sahota | Tom Farrelly | 1 January 2026 | |
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While police focus on drug gangs, Elena tracks down Aaron’s adoptive mother figure, Alison, leading to a dangerous confrontation. She is lured to a cabin by DeeDee, who has been sent by the cult leader to eliminate them. Meanwhile, Ash and DeeDee are on a mission to kill Casper’s other secret sons, setting the stage for the explosive finale. | |||||
| 7 | "Sliding Doors" | Nimer Rashed | Danny Brocklehurst | 1 January 2026 | |
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A deadly shootout erupts at the estate between Simon, Cornelius, Luther, Rocco, and cult members DeeDee and Ash. The clash leaves Rocco, Luther, and Ash dead, while DeeDee is pushed from a balcony by Mother Adiona just as she is about to kill Simon. The confrontation reveals The Shining Truth cult’s sinister motive: eliminating illegitimate male heirs, setting the stage for the final showdown as police close in on the compound. | |||||
| 8 | "It Stays With Us" | Nimer Rashed | Danny Brocklehurst | 1 January 2026 | |
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Simon uncovers that his daughter Paige’s “boyfriend” Aaron was actually her half-brother, and that his wife Ingrid killed him to protect Paige after Aaron had drugged and abused her. With the cult, The Shining Truth, exposed and dismantled, Paige returns from rehab, and Simon and Ingrid choose to live with the secret to preserve their family’s fragile peace. | |||||
Production
Netflix said in January 2024, it would be adapting Run Away by Harlan Coben with Coben as executive producer on the series.[1]
A full cast list announced on 21 January 2025 showed James Nesbitt and Alfred Enoch leading the cast alongside Ruth Jones, Minnie Driver, Ellie de Lange, Ingrid Oliver, Amy Gledhill, Jon Pointing, and Maeve Courtier-Lilley.[2]
Filming started in England in January 2025.[3][4] Locations included Saddleworth Moor and Greater Manchester, as well as Liverpool.[5][6] The exterior of the depicted Lanford University is the former S. Katharine's College building, now part of Liverpool Hope University and this is edited together with scenes in the University of Manchester Old Quadrangle.[7]
Music
The score for the first two episodes was composed by David Buckley and Luke Richards, with Luke Richards receiving sole composer credit for the remaining six episodes.
Release
The eight-part series was released on 1 January 2026.[8]
Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 82% approval rating based on 28 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "A sturdy adaptation from the Harlan Coben canon, Run Away sprints through a series of twists while never losing steam thanks to James Nesbitt's committed performance."[9] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, gave a score of 56 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[10]
References
- ^ Stedman, Emily (22 January 2024). "Netflix confirm two new Harlan Coben dramas following Fool Me Once success". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Run Away: James Nesbitt Will Lead Harlan Coben's Next Twisty Mystery". Netflix.com. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ Cremona, Patrick (21 January 2025). "Harlan Coben's next Netflix drama casts Gavin & Stacey and Missing You stars". Radio Times. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Anderton, Joe (27 January 2025). "James Nesbitt stars in first look at new Harlan Coben Netflix show". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- ^ "New Netflix Harlan Coben drama begins filming on bleak Greater Manchester moor with James Nesbitt". Manchester Evening News. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
- ^ Holmes, Wesley (26 February 2025). "New Harlan Coben Netflix drama starring James Nesbitt to be filmed in Georgian Quarter". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Where Netflix Run Away was filmed across Greater Manchester". Manchester Evening News. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 4 January 2026.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (20 October 2025). "'Run Away': First Look At Harlan Coben's Latest Netflix Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Run Away: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Run Away: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
