Image: Netflix
Netflix’s 14-book deal with beloved crime author Harlan Coben has another adaptation Go awayIs this another hit? Here’s our review,
When an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s novel is being made, you better know that the casting team will do everything possible to cast James Nesbitt. The Northern Irish actor has played DS Michael Broome in two adaptations so far stay close (2021) and Calligan Inn I am missing you (2025).
In Go awayThe first major Netflix release of 2026, Nesbitt plays perhaps his most complex Cobain character to date: a father, Simon Green, who will do anything to find his missing daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange). He spends the entire series acting like a coiled waterfall, often boiling in explosive anger, as he delves deeper into the crime and cultural underworld that has swallowed his daughter. It’s intriguing, brutal, and will leave you desperate to get to the next episode through its well-crafted cliffhangers – a trope the Cobden series is known for, from hidden identities to complicated family dramas and big clues.
Go away It has a little bit of everything, but at its core it’s a family-centric story, which makes it completely and naturally emotional from the opening scene. The main family is Simon (James Nesbitt), his wife Ingrid (Minnie Driver), and their three children Paige (Ellie de Lange), Anya (Ellie Henry), and Sam (Adrian Greensmith).
In the beginning, teenager Paige Green is missing. After running away from home, she gets entangled in the web of drugs and cultural groups in the underworld. This causes his father Simon to run to find him. He follows the breadcrumbs and travels into some of the most dangerous areas of his city in his search, and encounters many uninvited individuals. His pursuit is enthusiastic and determined, and he will not retreat under any circumstances. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Additionally, Simon’s investigation becomes increasingly complicated when the dismembered body of Aaron (Thomas Flynn), one of the last people seen with Paige, is found.
Nesbitt once again shows why he is a top-tier hero; He brings an impressive range. The audience will feel his portrayal of a father’s love and fiery anger. I was also particularly influenced by the artists around me. The series does an excellent job of developing Nesbit’s characters outside of Simon. The most attractive police detectives were Isaac (Alfred Enoch) and Ruby (Amy Gledhill). I also enjoyed Dee Dee (Maeve Courtier-Lilly) and Ash (John Pointing), both of whom were tasked with killing a specific group of people (for reasons we won’t go into as spoilers). Their chemistry is great to watch.
Ruth Jones (Gavin and Stacey, Stella) brings a welcome charisma and charm to the role of private investigator Elena Ravenscroft, while Lucian Msamati (Hostage, Gangs of London) delivers another grounded and serious performance.
The show’s plot is relentless, incredibly dense and fast-paced, leaving viewers little time to contemplate key moments. The ending of each episode with a hook only adds to the momentum. It has little or no fillers. It is a limited series after all, and they cram as much content into it as possible. It could have benefited from a little extra breathing room. The story is a little incoherent in the middle, but it manages to hold its own before it gets messy.
In true Harlan Cobain style, Go away You will keep guessing; And just when you think you have something figured out, it throws twice as many curveballs at you. The series keeps its secrets very well; We’ll forgive some plot conveniences. It will take you in unexpected directions and take a dozen turns. it does Stick to the end, but don’t let it distract you.
Go away A solid and thoroughly entertaining series. You’ll have a lot of fun and thrills – and you’ll definitely get that adrenaline rush – but after the credits roll, you’ll almost certainly fast forward and forget about it as it fades into the growing library of Harlan Coben adaptations, and that’s totally okay. It sits somewhere in the upper middle of the pile of Cobain adaptations on Netflix.
Even after 10 adaptations, we’re still ready for all the other Harlan Coben adaptations that Netflix is making. If that’s not a testament to how entertaining they are, I don’t know what is.
MVP of Go away
James Nesbitt – It’s hard not to give James Nesbitt an MVP for his performances in all eight episodes Go awayHe gives a performance of exceptional emotional range, That said, I want to give an honorary mention to Ruth Jones and Maeve Courtier-Lilley for owning every scene they’re in,
Watch Run Away on Netflix if you want
- I am missing you
- stay close
- Innocent
- Forest
- Safe