Netflix Lines Up New Harlan Coben Drama

Harlan Coben’s New York Times best-selling novel Stay Close is getting the series treatment for Netflix.

The new eight-part drama will follow three key characters whose dark secrets resurface, setting off a chain of events that threatens to destroy their lives. Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Deadwater Fell), James Nesbitt (Bloody Sunday, The Missing) and Richard Armitage (The Stranger, The Hobbit, Hannibal) are confirmed in the three lead roles, with Sarah Parish (Bancroft, Medici) also joining.

RED Production Company, a STUDIOCANAL company, will produce.

On the heels of the successful limited series The Stranger, Stay Close reunites long-term collaborators Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee as executive producers, alongside Coben and Danny Brocklehurst, who is lead writer again.

Stay Close is the latest Netflix project for Harlan Coben, as part of his current five-year deal with the streamer to develop 14 of his titles into film and TV dramas.

Jumbo said: “I’m so excited to work alongside Netflix, Nicola and the whole team on Stay Close. Can’t wait to get my teeth into such a brilliant British thriller.”

Nesbitt added: “The team at RED are a northern powerhouse of world-class TV. They are a benchmark for quality drama, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a great production. The scripts drew me in from the get-go and I am looking forward to starting filming”

Armitage said: “I can’t wait to return to Manchester to work with Nicola, Danny, Harlan and the team again. I love Harlan’s style and this plot and character will be brilliantly challenging. At a time when we have remained apart; Stay Close promises to break all the rules.”

Coben said: “I am so happy and excited to Stay Close (pun intended) with Danny Brocklehurst, Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee—the same team that made The Stranger, Safe and The Five. And talk about a dream-come-true cast: Cush Jumbo, an incendiary and awesome talent; Jimmy Nesbitt, a legendary actor I always wanted to collaborate with; and wow, Richard Armitage back again! Netflix has been a wonderful home, and from what I’ve seen so far, Stay Close will be our most gripping and binge-able series yet.”

Shindler, executive producer, said; “Working with Harlan, Danny and Richard for the fourth collaboration is a joy as we push each other for more bingeable ideas and twists. Harlan’s books and stories are a pleasure to bring to the screen. And we are delighted to have Cush, Jimmy and Richard to bring the characters to life.”

Brocklehurst, writer, said: “After the phenomenal success of The Stranger, I’m elated to be collaborating once again with RED, Netflix and the master storyteller Harlan Coben. Stay Close will be a compelling twisty turny ride through the dark heart of suburban life that leaves viewers desperate for answers.”

Fee, executive producer for RED Production Company, commented: “It’s such a pleasure to be setting off on another thrill-ride with Harlan, Danny and Nicola, as we dive into a brand new story about people who keep shocking secrets from their families and closest friends. We’re excited to have the opportunity again to hook Netflix viewers around the world with a compelling mystery that will keep people up late into the night.”

Sarah Doole, the newly appointed CEO of RED Production Company, added: “Harlan’s book and Danny’s screenplay create an irresistible cocktail of crime drama—who knew such thrilling secrets and lies lurk in our suburbs? RED is very proud to be bringing this terrific storytelling to Netflix.”