Netflix is carrying on its annual tradition by ushering in a brand new Harlan Coben adaptation for the new year. Kicking off the slate for 2026, the streamer has officially dropped all eight episodes of Run Away, a thrilling mystery series starring James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver.

Following its debut on 1 January, fans have already devoured the show in one sitting and followed up with early reactions on social media. So, is Run Away worth a watch? Our in-house TV experts earmarked Run Away as one of our top picks for 2026, praising its “impeccable” cast, and fans are already hailing it as one of the author and screenwriter’s “best ever” efforts.

© Ben Blackall/Netflix
Ruth Jones stars as private investigator Elena

What are viewers saying about Harlan Coben’s Run Away?

While the show has sparked mixed reviews, the response on X (formerly Twitter) has been largely positive. “@HarlanCoben did it again! What a wonderful story/show. Mind blowing,” wrote one. “Run Away is absolutely outstanding, one of the best Harlan Coben series. Fool Me Once was really not that great but this one is the redeemer,” declared a second. Meanwhile, a third raved: “Wow this new Harlan Coben is the best one yet #Runawaynetflix.”

Among the most common complaints, however, some fans noted that the story could have played out in fewer episodes, while others took issue with the ending (rest assured, no spoilers here). “Just finished #Runawaynetflix!!! It was a nice watch but I didn’t like the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s worth your time,” remarked a viewer. “Finally finished #Runawaynetflix. Could have been 6 episodes, it did not need to be 8 episodes and there were way too many storylines going at once,” tweeted another.

Our Acting TV & Film Editor Nicky Morris listed Run Away as one of her must-watch shows for the new year, citing Harlan Coben’s great teamwork with Netflix in creating compelling characters and pacy dialogue.

She explained: Netflix has a great track record when it comes to adapting the works of Harlan Coben, which are always full of twists, turns and red herrings. Run Away comes after 2025’s Missing You and 2024’s Fool Me Once, both of which were gripping thrillers that made for the perfect New Year’s Day binge-watch – and a good excuse to lie on the sofa all day, nursing any residual hangovers and polishing off the chocolate selection boxes leftover from Christmas.”

What is the show about?

© Ben Blackall/Netflix
James Nesbitt and Elle de Lange as Simon and Paige

Adapted from Harlan Coben’s 2019 novel of the same name, Run Away follows Simon (James Nesbitt), a suburban father desperate to reconnect with his runaway daughter, Paige (Ellie de Lange). Devastated after spotting Paige in a park, and on drugs, Simon becomes more determined than ever to bring his little girl home, but when Aaron Corval (Thomas Flynn), a young dealer connected to Paige, turns up dead, Simon finds himself thrust into the same dangerous world that Paige has been living in.

Helping Simon in his search for his daughter, Ruth Jones appears as Elena, a private investigator, while Minnie Driver stars as Simon’s wife, Ingrid. Rounding out the cast, Alfred Enoch stars as Isaac Fagbenle, the detective leading an investigation into Aaron’s murder.

Elaborating on the show’s central themes, 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.”

Run Away is currently available to stream on Netflix.