If you're on the look out for something that's going to grip you, then Jo Joyner's highest-rated TV drama (according to critics on Rotten Tomatoes) might be exactly what you're after. To sweeten the deal even more, it's also a Harlan Coben thriller – which of course means that there'll be plenty of twists and turns on the cards.
Stay Close first dropped on Netflix back in 2021 – years before Michelle Keegan's breakout hit Fool Me Once stormed the streamer's charts – and it's been described as "a perfect summer evening binge-watch" (via The Post NZ) in a review from the time.
The eight-part series centres on a mum called Megan (played by Cush Jumbo), who is living happily with her children and soon-to-be husband. But, she used to go by the name of Cassie – and her past is coming back to cause problems.
Who is in the cast of Stay Close?
Joyner starred as DC Erin Cartwright, one half of a police duo alongside her professional partner DS Michael Broome (played by James Nesbitt).
The studded cast also includes Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage, Sarah Parish, Youssef Kerkour, and Suzy Eddie Izzard.
Elsewhere, the ensemble of actors also included:
What to Read Next
• Daniel Francis
• Bethany Antonia
• Poppy Gilbert
• Jack Shalloo
• Steph Lacey
What are the critics saying about Stay Close?
Stay Close currently sits with a very respectable 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a host of positive reviews to its name.
The Australian piled on the praise, describing the series as "intense, compressed storytelling, crackling with twists and turns..."
Meanwhile Decider's review said: "Stay Close benefits from fine performances and a story that gives just enough clues in the first episode to keep viewers intrigued and – more importantly – not frustrated with purposely obtuse writing."
The Guardian's three-star review branded it "irresistible", noting that you "won't be able to turn it off".
Ready Steady Cut said: "But even by the well-established standards of these things, Stay Close is particularly bonkers, a lightning-fast, highly binge-able thriller that works mostly by sensory overload and never quite giving a straight answer."
Where can I watch Stay Close?
The home of lots of Harlan Coben thrillers, Stay Close is available to binge-watch your way through right now on Netflix.
There's also a number of other exciting Netflix shows on the way from the popular author, with the Sam Worthington-fronted I Will Find You landing in June, marking the first Coben series to come from the US, as well as a brand-new story led by Michelle Keegan, The Woods, already filming.
Let's also not forget it was recently announced that one of Coben's favourite characters, Myron Bolitar, will finally be taken from the pages of his novels to the screen for the very first time.
What other Jo Joyner dramas can I watch?
The popular British actor has most recently been seen in Channel 4's A Woman of Substance, which starred Brenda Blethyn (Vera) as Emma Harte. Joyner played the character of Elizabeth Harte Ainsley, the daughter of Emma.
For Her Sins, the four-part psychological thriller, is also available right now as a box set on Channel 5. It sees the former EastEnders star taking on the role of Laura Conroy, a lawyer, mum and wife, who appears to have the perfect life – that is, until she meets a charismatic stranger called Emily (Rachel Shenton) on the school playground, and her life begins to unravel.
And then there's also Little Disasters, which first premiered on Paramount+ in the UK last year. The female-driven thriller centres on the friendship between a group of mothers, who met at an antenatal class – but later find themselves pulled into a terrible and tricky situation.
Stay Close is available now on Netflix.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, a collector's edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
