James Nesbitt is taking on the lead role in Run Away (Picture: Netflix)
Run away is the next Harlan Coben thriller getting the TV treatment, but some fans are alarmed by a key missing piece.
Details about the future series have just been released, and it’s ticking most of the boxes. Seemingly normal people getting thrown into crazy situations? Tick. UK setting? Tick. Richard Armitage? … We said Richard Armitage? *Tumbleweed*
In a shocking plot twist worthy of its own Harlan novel, Richard, 53, is not included in the cast for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of his 2019 book.
The huge names including James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones, Minnie Driver and Alfred Enoch, and Lucian Msamati being revealed did little to distract people from the missing star.
He’s become part of the furniture on the show, starring in the last four Harlen shows: The Stranger, Stay Close, Fool Me Once, and Missing You, and so people have come to expect his presence.
Social media was flooded with fans asking where he was. ‘BUT WHAT ABOUT RICHARD ARMITAGE?!’ Rachel immediately shouted on X at hearing the news.
Richard starred in Fool Me Once with Michelle Keegan (Picture: Matt Squire/Netflix)
Thanoskitten230 added: ‘Where is Richard Armitage?!! love seeing him in Harlan Coben dramas.’
Rainy joked: ‘Richard Armitage has finally got parole.’
Not even Ruth’s inclusion could distract from Richard being missing (Picture: Tom Jackson)
‘Is it really Harlan Corben if Richard Armitage doesn’t pop up,’ questioned Siân Bennett-Rodgers.
Others refused to accept it wasn’t some sort of mistake, or suggested that Richard will simply be surprising us by still turning up. ‘With a cameo from Richard Armitage RIGHT??????’ typed Sarahrcmos.
It was also pointed out that someone is coming for Richard’s title – Jimmy Nesbitt, 60, who also starred in the most recent show Missing You.
Richard’s run is over (Picture: Vishal Sharma/Netflix)
James will be taking on the lead role of Simon in the 8 parter, which does not yet have a release date.
The synopsis teases: ‘Simon had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige ran away and everything fell apart.
‘So now when he finds her, vulnerable and strung out on drugs in a city park, he finally has the chance to bring his little girl home. But it turns out she’s not alone, and an argument escalates into shocking violence.
‘In the aftermath, Simon loses his daughter all over again, and his search to find her will take him into a dangerous underworld, revealing deep secrets that could tear his family apart forever.’
Filming will get underway around Manchester and the North West of England this month.
Harlan, 63, has said: ‘Jimmy Nesbitt, Ruth Jones, Alfred Enoch, Lucian Msamati and Minnie Driver – the cast is an embarrassment of riches. I can’t wait to start filming.’
James will play Simon Greene (Picture: Pip)
There’s still time for Richard to make a big comeback as three more of Harlan’s books – Caught, Just One Look, I Will Find You – will also be getting a TV series. However, Richard has previously given a clue he would be stepping back from acting projects.
‘My desire to be in front of the camera is diminishing,’ he told Metro in 2024. He has a strong pull to instead be behind it – writing and producing.
‘That’s the stuff I’m more interested in now. I want to come in at an earlier stage to shape stories. I’ve grown up.’
Harlan Coben’s Run Away will be available to watch on Netflix. Harlan titles currently available to stream on Netflix include: Missing You, Fool Me Once, Gone For Good, The Stranger, Stay Close, The Innocent, Hold Tight, The Woods, Safe.
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