Gavin and Stacey star set for huge role in Harlan Coben thriller as Netflix favourite ‘missing’

One of Gavin and Stacey’s most beloved stars has landed a role in Harlan Coben’s latest thriller - and it’s coming to Netflix.

Ruth Jones, who is the BBC show’s co-creator and the actress behind the iconic character of Nessa, will appear in Coben’s new series, Run Away.

Jones, 58, is set to star as Elena Ravenscroft alongside A-listers like James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver and Alfred Enoch.

This new series, titled Run Away, is Netflix’s thirteenth collaboration with Coben, who has produced hits like Fool Me Once, The Stranger and Missing You.

Run Away is adapted from Coben’s novel of the same name, with the writer serving as executive producer through his company, Final Twist Productions.

The star-studded cast also include talents like Conclave’s Lucian Msamati, Sweetpea’s Jon Pointing, Wolf Hall star Ellie de Lange, Hollyoaks actress Ellie Henry, Friday Night Dinner’s Tracy-Ann Oberman, Ted Lasso’s Annette Badland and Doctor Who’s Ingrid Oliver.

However, fans of Coben’s Netflix shows might have spotted that one of his favourite actors, Richard Armitage, is noticeably absent from the line-up.

Armitage often crops up in Coben’s projects, having previously appeared in Stay Close, The Stranger, Fool Me Once and 2025’s Missing You.

Fans will undoubtedly miss the esteemed British actor from this latest project, as it has become something of a given that he is bound to appear in whatever Coben and Netflix come up with next.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of other Coben-Netflix collaborations coming up, so we might just see the actor’s name crop up elsewhere.

Aside from Run Away, Netflix has also announced the titles: Caught, Just One Look and I Will Find You.

Meanwhile, the synopsis for Run Away reads: “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.”

Coben said of the latest project: "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."

Lead writer Danny Brocklehurst added: “It's an enormous pleasure to be reteaming with Netflix, Harlan and the amazing Quay Street Productions team to produce another twisty thriller.

“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.”

While executive Producers for Quay Street Productions, Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee, said: "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.