Netflix’s new Harlan Coben thriller already sounds like the first must-binge of 2026 — here’s the first look

Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft in "Run Away" on Netflix

(Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Netflix fans won’t be escaping Harlan Coben anytime soon. The streaming service has already brought almost a dozen of his novels to the screen, and they’re gearing up to drop another one.

This time, James Nesbitt stars in the upcoming mystery thriller “Run Away,” which follows a man whose perfect life starts to crumble after his daughter runs away. Netflix has described it as a “twisty new mystery,” and even from that brief description and the fact that it’s eight episodes long, I’m already intrigued.

After hearing the first details back in January, we now have some first-look photos of the show. While they don’t reveal much of the plot, they do give us an idea of the characters at the center.

James Nesbitt as Simon Greene in "Run Away" on Netflix — (Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Netflix often releases its series in batches, but that won’t be the case for “Run Away.” True to Coben’s other Netflix adaptations, all episodes will be available at once, giving you the chance to dive into the full mystery without waiting (I definitely will be).

“Run Away” is set to premiere on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026, making it the perfect binge-watch for anyone looking to relax after the whirlwind of the holiday season. This is also the very same date that saw the premieres of “Fool Me Once” and “Missing You” in earlier years.

‘Run Away’ on Netflix — everything we know right now

Minnie Driver as Ingrid Greene and James Nesbitt as Simon Greene in "Run Away" on Netflix — (Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Along with the release date and first look, we also have an official synopsis: “Simon (Nesbitt) had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige (de Lange) ran away and everything fell apart. So now when he finds her, vulnerable and strung out on drugs in a city park, he finally has the chance to bring his little girl home.

But it turns out she’s not alone, and an argument escalates into shocking violence. In the aftermath, Simon loses his daughter all over again, and his search to find her will take him into a dangerous underworld, revealing deep secrets that could tear his family apart forever.”

Starring alongside Nesbitt and de Lange are Ruth Jones, Minnie Driver, Alfred Enoch, Adrian Greensmith, Lucian Msamati, and Jon Pointing.

Maeve Courtier-Lilley as Dee Dee and Jon Pointing as Ash in "Run Away" on Netflix — (Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

Coben told Tudum: “Run Away is about family — about what we will do to keep our family intact, what secrets we keep within our family, and what secrets we keep as a family. Every time you walk past the house, there’s a whole universe that goes on behind that door and none of us have a clue what it is.”

As for Nesbitt, Coben says his instinct told him right away that he was the ideal fit. “Jimmy just has so much range. He’s so natural and authentic at all times,” the creator says. “He’s an empathetic actor in the sense that he feels, and then you feel for him.”

If you didn’t know already, Nesbitt is known for his work across both drama and comedy, from “The Missing” and “Bloodlands” to “Cold Feet.” This adaptation has a pretty solid cast and I’m looking forward to seeing how they work together in this “twisty” mystery.

Alfred Enoch as Isaac Fagbenle in "Run Away" on Netflix — (Image credit: Ben Blackall / Netflix)

It seems like “Run Away” will be the latest in a string of successful Coben adaptations for Netflix. In fact, there's another Coben show releasing this week (Oct. 22) on Prime Video, called “Lazarus,” which marks a departure from his usual book-based series. This original six-episode psychological thriller stars Sam Claflin as a forensic psychologist who returns to his family home after his father's mysterious death, only to uncover unsettling truths about his past.

“Run Away” is definitely on my must-watch list for 2026. Coben’s adaptations are usually pretty easy to get into as they’re short, tightly written limited series that make for a great weekend binge. If you’re into a twisty mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, this looks like it could be another solid pick.

Stream "Run Away" on Netflix starting January 1, 2026.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

More from Tom's Guide

See more Entertainment News

Alix is a Senior Streaming Writer at Tom’s Guide, which basically means watching the best movies and TV shows and then writing about them. It’s a dream job for someone who’s been obsessed with storytelling since she first figured out how to work a remote.

Before joining Tom’s Guide, Alix honed her skills as a staff writer with outlets like Screen Rant and Bough Digital, where she discovered her love for the entertainment industry.

She heads to the cinema every week as a tradition, no matter what’s showing. For her, movies aren’t just entertainment — they’re a ritual, a comfort, and a constant source of inspiration. When she’s not at her desk or at the cinema, you’ll probably find her deep into a horror video game on her PC.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.