Nicola Shindler, Harlan Coben, Danny Brocklehurst, Richard Fee and Netflix are set to collaborate on their fourth drama – an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel Stay Close.
The team behind The Stranger and Safe are producing the new eight-part drama, which will follow three key characters whose dark secrets resurface, setting off a chain of events which threatens to destroy their lives.
Cush Jumbo (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Deadwater Fell), James Nesbitt (Bloody Sunday, The Missing) and Richard Armitage (The Stranger, The Hobbit, Hannibal) are confirmed in the three lead roles, with Sarah Parish (Bancroft, Medici) also joining. RED Production Company (a STUDIOCANAL company) will produce.
Following the hugely successful The Stranger, Stay Close reunites long term collaborators Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee as executive producers, alongside creator Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst, who is lead writer again. In keeping with previous adaptations, Stay Close will relocate the story from the US to UK shores.
InStay Close, three people living comfortable lives each conceal dark secrets that even the closest to them would never suspect; Megan (Jumbo), a working mother of three; Ray (Armitage), the once promising documentary photographer, now stuck in a dead-end job pandering to celebrity-obsessed rich kids, and Broome (Nesbitt), a detective who’s unable to let go of a missing person’s cold case. Lorraine (Parish), an old friend from Megan’s past, delivers some shocking news which will impact on all three characters. As the past comes back to haunt them, threatening to ruin their lives and the lives of those around them, what will be their next move?
Cush Jumbo said: “I’m so excited to work alongside Netflix, Nicola and the whole team on Stay Close. Can’t wait to get my teeth into such a brilliant British thriller.”
James Nesbitt added: “The team at RED are a northern powerhouse of world-class TV. They are a benchmark for quality drama, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a great production. The scripts drew me in from the get-go and I am looking forward to starting filming”
Richard Armitage said: “I can’t wait to return to Manchester to work with Nicola, Danny, Harlan and the team again. I love Harlan’s style and this plot and character will be brilliantly challenging. At a time when we have remained apart; ‘Stay Close’ promises to break all the rules.”
Harlan Coben said: “I am so happy and excited to Stay Close (pun intended) with Danny Brocklehurst, Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee — the same team that made The Stranger, Safe and The Five. And talk about a dream-come-true cast – Cush Jumbo, an incendiary and awesome talent; Jimmy Nesbitt, a legendary actor I always wanted to collaborate with; and wow, Richard Armitage back again! Netflix has been a wonderful home, and from what I’ve seen so far, Stay Close will be our most gripping and binge-able series yet.”
Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer, said; “Working with Harlan, Danny and Richard for the 4th collaboration is a joy as we push each other for more bingeable ideas and twists. Harlan’s books and stories are a pleasure to bring to the screen. And we are delighted to have Cush, Jimmy and Richard to bring the characters to life.”
Danny Brocklehurst, writer, said: “After the phenomenal success of The Stranger, I’m elated to be collaborating once again with RED, Netflix and the master storyteller Harlan Coben. Stay Close will be a compelling twisty turny ride through the dark heart of suburban life that leaves viewers desperate for answers.”
Richard Fee, Executive Producer for RED Production Company: “It’s such a pleasure to be setting off on another thrill-ride with Harlan, Danny and Nicola, as we dive into a brand new story about people who keep shocking secrets from their families and closest friends. We’re excited to have the opportunity again to hook Netflix viewers around the world with a compelling mystery that will keep people up late into the night.”
Sarah Doole, the newly appointed CEO of RED Production Company, added: “Harlan’s book and Danny’s screenplay create an irresistible cocktail of crime drama – who knew such thrilling secrets and lies lurk in our suburbs? RED is very proud to be bringing this terrific storytelling to Netflix.”
Stay Close is a RED Production Company production commissioned for Netflix. Nicola Shindler (Years and Years, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey), writers Harlan Coben (The Woods) and Danny Brocklehurst (Brassic, Come Home) and Richard Fee (The Stranger, Prey) are the Executive Producers of the new eight-part series, created by Harlan Coben, and based on his best-selling novel. Juliet Charlesworth (Happy Valley, Traces) is series producer and Daniel O’Hara (The Stranger, Brassic) is lead director and an executive producer. The series is due to go into production in early 2021 and filming will take place in and around Manchester and the North West of England.
Jon Creamer
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