It wouldn't be New Year's Day without a Harlan Coben thriller to settle into, a tradition set the last few years, and just when you thought all the treats were behind you, Coben delivers us all a new eight-part series with some grit.
Run Away tells the story of Simon's (James Nesbitt) desperate search for his daughter Paige (Ellie De Lange). When he spots her in the park, Simon thinks he can persuade his troubled child to return home with him, but tensions quickly rise and the situation escalates until things are out of control. Simon loses Paige again, and instead gains a lot more trouble after a violent incident invites the police into his life. Simon's resolve is unwavering though, and he will go to any lengths to get his daughter back – even if his search takes him down a dangerous path, unearthing secrets that could (as per the synopsis) "destroy his family forever."
Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones also stars in the series. Despite being a supporting character, you are, in part, hooked to the show thanks to her enigmatic character Elena Ravenscroft.
Elena is intriguing right from the get go. Morally ambiguous to begin with, it is wonderful to play the game of deciphering whether or not she's a 'goodie' or a 'baddie', before her true intentions are made clear. While we won't spoil which way her character arc goes, it truly doesn't even matter. When it comes to entertainment, Elena is a joy to watch.
She's mysterious, deceptive and caring, all in the same breath. She's warm whilst being blunt, and will go to extreme lengths to get results. Jones brings colour to the layers of this gutsy character, personable in a way that makes you warm to her regardless.
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However this is a Nesbitt-led show and he is a marvel at playing the frantic, ballsy, determined central father. It is, at times, difficult to buy into certain elements of the plot, but ultimately it's Nesbitt's performance that helps to sell it.
His wild-eyed and desperate resolve to find his daughter pushes him to make rash and risky decisions. You can almost feel his despair within yourself as he grasps for lead after lead after lead.
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Run Away's twists are oddly both some of the best and most frustrating things about the series. They are plentiful, and for the most part truly engaging in a way that fits with the nature of the story.
However the execution is frequently laboured, prolonging the explanations so that the impact of the twist is dulled; mostly, you figure things out before they are vocalised. Yet, still they are enjoyable to experience, as Harlan Coben shows often are.
One thing the series does get right is the chemistry between the characters. Nesbitt and Jones have a certain understanding from their ability to see one another's pain and hardships. Despite being on slightly different paths, they fall in step with each other and when they are together they make a satisfying duo.
Equally Dee Dee (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) and Ash (Jon Pointing) are the perfect double act. We won't delve too deeply into their characters for the sake of spoilers, but there is a sweetness between the pair that contradicts their outward personalities. Courtier-Lilley and Pointing make you see their vulnerability in a way that makes you want to care for the pair, despite how hard that may be.
It is, however, the finale that will truly blow you away. Run Away sets up many plot points along the way that, for the most part, come to a satisfying conclusion. And just when you think all is said and done, Coben lands the ending with a powerful blow that not even the drawn-out reveal could spoil.
Is Run Away an outlandish story? Absolutely, but what do you expect from a Harlan Coben thriller? The best way to enjoy it is to simply let go, and dive right into the absurdity.
Once you have, it might very well be the perfect way to kickstart your 2026 viewing – with twists, drama and emotional punches, all wrapped up in one.
All episodes of Run Away are available to watch now on Netflix.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
