Netflix’s ‘gasp-inducing’ thriller promises to be a twisty binge-watch

The Woods is a new Harlan Coben thriller coming to Netflix. Production is underway on the series, which stars Michelle Keegan and Tom Bateman

etflix has a new Harlan Coben thriller in the works – and it sounds like viewers are in for yet another binge-worthy adaptation of the crime writer’s work.

The upcoming eight-part series, The Woods, follows successful barrister Paul, whose sister disappeared 20 years ago. When a body is found, Paul becomes convinced that his sister might still be alive.

© Ben Blackall
Harlan Coben with leading actors Tom Bateman and Michelle Keegan

Netflix is no stranger to bringing Harlan’s compelling mysteries to the small screen. The Woods is the 14th title from the bestselling author produced for Netflix, following the huge success of Run Away, Missing You and Fool Me Once, all of which made for the perfect one-day TV binge.

As HELLO!‘s Acting TV and Film editor, I’ve seen my fair share of Harlan Coben dramas – and they never fail to keep me watching until the very end. Bring on The Woods!

With production now underway, find out more below…

What is The Woods about?

The story centres around Paul ‘Cope’ Copeland, whose sister vanished from a summer camp in the woods 20 years ago, tearing his family apart.

The synopsis continues: “Now a top barrister and devoted single father to ten-year-old daughter Cami, Cope appears to have rebuilt his life. But when the body of a man turns up – twenty years after he was supposedly murdered alongside Camille – Cope becomes convinced his sister may have made it out of the woods alive too.

© Vishal Sharma/Netflix
Michelle Keegan starred as Maya Stern in the 2024 Netflix thriller, Fool Me Once

“Determined to uncover the truth, Cope reunites with his first love, Lucy Silverfield, and together they begin a search for answers, unearthing years of lies, cover-ups, and family secrets that threaten to destroy everything he has built.”

The drama is penned by Danny Brocklehurst, Harlan’s longtime collaborator, whose impressive writing credits include Shameless, Brassic and Ten Pound Poms.

© GC Images
Michelle Keegan stars in the upcoming thriller

Danny described the series as a “twisty, emotional thriller,” while Harlan billed the show as a “haunting and very personal story,” adding: “It has everything you expect from us — twisty, turning, gasp-inducing — but at the core is a story of old love and yearning.”

Who stars in The Woods?

Tom Bateman (The Love Hypothesis, Hedda) leads the cast as Paul, alongside Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once, Brassic) as Lucy Silverfield.

They’re joined by Mandeep Dhillon (MobLand, After Life) as Loren Muse, Pearce Quigley (Small Prophets, The Gentlemen) as Ira Silverfield, Rade Sherbedgia (Slow Horses, Downton Abbey) as Uncle Sosh, James Buckley (The Inbetweeners, Rock & Chips) as Lonnie Berger, Shannon Watson (Outrageous, The Jetty) as Shannon Johnson and Pamela Nomvete (Nightsleeper, Andor) as Mrs. Peters.

© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireIma
Mandeep Dhillon is among the star-studded cast list

The cast also includes Kerry Howard (Witless, Him & Her) as Greta, Roger Barclay (Industry, Andor) as EJ Jenrette, Simon Lowe (Kirkmoore, Miss Scarlet and the Duke) as Bob Cole, Dean Fagan (Time, Missed Call) as DS Steve York, Tom Allen (Titanique, The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice) as Flynn Hickory, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Run Away, Friday Night Dinner) as Jessica Kinberg, Charlotte Beaumont (Broadchurch, Call the Midwife) as DC Daisy Dillon and Christopher Harper (Call the Midwife, Endeavor) as Wayne Steubens.

A release date for The Woods has yet to be announced.