Frequent Harlan Coben collaborator Richard Armitage is not on the cast list
(Image: GETTY)

Gavin and Stacey icon lands role in Harlan Coben's new Netflix thriller as another star 'misses out'

by · Manchester Evening News

Ruth Jones, co-creator of the BBC's Gavin and Stacey and the actress behind the iconic character Nessa, has secured a role in Harlan Coben's upcoming thriller set to air on Netflix. The 58-year-old actress will star as Elena Ravenscroft in the new series, Run Away, alongside big names such as James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Alfred Enoch.

This marks Netflix's thirteenth collaboration with Coben, who has previously produced popular shows like Fool Me Once, The Stranger and Missing You. Run Away is based on Coben's novel of the same name, with the author serving as executive producer through his company, Final Twist Productions.

The cast also includes Lucian Msamati from Conclave, Jon Pointing from Sweetpea, Ellie de Lange from Wolf Hall, Ellie Henry from Hollyoaks, Tracy-Ann Oberman from Friday Night Dinner, Annette Badland from Ted Lasso and Ingrid Oliver from Doctor Who. However, Richard Armitage, a regular in Coben's projects, is noticeably missing from the line-up.

One of Gavin and Staceys most beloved stars has landed a huge Netflix role
(Image: BBC)

Armitage has previously appeared in Stay Close, The Stranger, Fool Me Once and 2025's Missing You. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans who have come to expect his presence in Coben and Netflix's collaborations, reports Wales Online.

Netflix is set to continue its successful partnership with author Coben, with several new projects in the pipeline, including Run Away. The streaming giant has also announced upcoming titles such as Caught, Just One Look, and I Will Find You, so while Armitage may have missed out on this particular project, he could be gearing up for something else instead.

The plot of Run Away centres on Simon, played by James Nesbitt, whose idyllic life is shattered when his daughter Paige, portrayed by Ellie de Lange, disappears. The official synopsis reveals: "Simon [James Nesbitt] had the perfect life: loving wife and kids, great job, beautiful home. But then his eldest daughter Paige [Ellie de Lange] 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."

Ruth Jones is joining Harlan Coben's new project
(Image: BBC)

Coben expressed his excitement about the cast for the latest series, saying: "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."

Danny Brocklehurst, the lead writer, shared his enthusiasm, adding: "It's an enormous pleasure to be reteaming with Netflix, Harlan and the amazing Quay Street Productions team to produce another twisty thriller."

He continued, referencing the success of Fool Me Once: "Fool Me Once's phenomenal success has set a high bar but with Run Away's emotionally universal storyline and great cast, hopefully we can give audiences another fantastic ride."

Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, executive producers for Quay Street Productions, expressed: "We're thrilled to be working with such a magnificent group of actors and the brilliant Danny Brocklehurst to bring this gripping Harlan Coben story to life."

Run Away will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix.