Meet the Cast of Harlan Coben’s ‘Run Away’ on Netflix: Character Guide & UK Filming Locations
On New Year’s Day 2026, Netflix dropped its latest “Coben-verse” addiction, and if you are anything like us, you have already binged half the series. But while the twists are dizzying, it is the faces, led by a grieving James Nesbitt, that keep us watching.
Shifting the setting from the glossy streets of New York to the gritty, atmospheric North West of England, Run Away is the 8-part thriller everyone is talking about this January. But who are these actors, and where exactly did they film those haunting park scenes?
This guide breaks down the massive ensemble Harlan Coben Run Away cast, details their complex roles, and reveals the real-life Manchester and Liverpool spots where the drama unfolded.
The Greene Family: At the Heart of the Mystery
The core of the story revolves around the Greene family. They appear perfect on the surface, but as with any Coben drama, secrets are the currency they trade in.
James Nesbitt as Simon Greene
Leading the Harlan Coben Run Away cast is Northern Irish powerhouse James Nesbitt playing Simon Greene. Simon is a successful wealth manager whose life unspools when his eldest daughter, Paige, falls into drug addiction and disappears.
Why He Looks Familiar:
You likely know Nesbitt from Cold Feet, The Missing, or his role as Brogan in Stay Close (2021).
Viewer’s Note: Nesbitt is becoming the face of the “UK Coben Universe.” Having starred in Stay Close and the 2025 hit Missing You, he has perfected the role of the desperate father. His performance here is less about action and more about raw, frantic grief. Watch his eyes in the opening scenes at the park, he sells the heartbreak instantly.
Minnie Driver as Ingrid Greene
Hollywood star Minnie Driver steps into the role of Ingrid Greene, Simon’s wife. In the book, this character is a paediatrician, but for the UK series, showrunner Danny Brocklehurst reimagined her as a high-stakes heart surgeon. This shift adds a sharper edge to her character; she is clinical, precise, and initially more willing to practice “tough love” with Paige than Simon is.
Why She Looks Familiar:
Driver is an Oscar nominee for Good Will Hunting, but UK TV fans might recently recognise her from The Serpent Queen.
Ellie de Lange as Paige Greene
The catalyst for the entire series is Paige Greene, played by Ellie de Lange. Once a promising university student, Paige is now living rough in a city park, trapped in an abusive relationship with a man named Aaron. De Lange has a difficult job here, she spends much of the series as a “ghost” that others talk about, yet her few scenes are explosive.
Where You’ve Seen Her:
De Lange previously appeared in Wolf Hall and has been steadily building a name in British indie drama.
The Investigators and Shadowy Figures
A Harlan Coben thriller isn’t complete without a private investigator and a few terrifying villains. This section of the Harlan Coben Run Away cast brings some serious British acting talent to the table.
Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft
This is perhaps the most exciting casting choice for UK viewers. Ruth Jones, the co-creator and star of Gavin & Stacey, sheds her comedy roots to play Elena Ravenscroft.
Elena is a private investigator hired by Simon to find Paige. But she isn’t your typical slick PI. She operates out of a chaotic office, drives a battered car, and has a messy personal life involving a custody battle.
Spotted on Screen: Jones’ introduction involves a bizarre “dognapping” case at Sefton Park in Liverpool. It’s a brilliant way to show her character’s chaotic competence before she gets involved in the main murder plot.
Alfred Enoch as Isaac Fagbenle
Alfred Enoch plays Isaac, a young man who gets entangled in the Greene family’s mess. We won’t spoil his exact connection to Paige, but his performance is pivotal in the second half of the series.
Where You’ve Seen Him:
Harry Potter fans know him as Dean Thomas, but he proved his thriller chops in How to Get Away with Murder.
Jon Pointing and Maeve Courtier-Lilley (Ash & Dee Dee)
Every Coben show needs a creepy duo (think “Barbie and Ken” from Stay Close). In Run Away, we have Ash and Dee Dee. They are “cleaners” working for the cartel, moving through the North West leaving a trail of bodies. Jon Pointing (Plebs) plays against type here, swapping comedy for a chillingly detached hitman persona.
| Actor | Character | Role | Best Known For |
| James Nesbitt | Simon Greene | The Father | The Missing, Cold Feet |
| Minnie Driver | Ingrid Greene | The Mother | Good Will Hunting |
| Ruth Jones | Elena Ravenscroft | The PI | Gavin & Stacey |
| Alfred Enoch | Isaac Fagbenle | The Outsider | Harry Potter, HTGAWM |
Where was ‘Run Away’ Filmed? Real UK Locations
While the novel is set in New York’s Central Park and the upscale suburbs, the Netflix adaptation relocates the action to the North of England. Quay Street Productions (the team behind Fool Me Once) used Manchester, Liverpool, and the surrounding countryside to build the show’s world.
Here are the real locations you can visit.
1. Alexandra Park, Oldham (The Park Scenes)
The iconic opening scene where Simon finds Paige busking near a fountain wasn’t filmed in New York’s Central Park. It was shot at Alexandra Park in Oldham.
Production crews were spotted here in mid-2025 transforming the Victorian park. The boathouse and the distinct lion statues are dead giveaways. If you visit, you can walk the exact path Simon takes when he chases Aaron.
2. Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square)
In the series, you will see a location referred to as “Bank Street Police Station.” This is actually the Manchester Crown Court at Crown Square.
[Manchester Evening News report on filming at Crown Square]
Experience Note: Filming at active courts is notoriously difficult. According to local reports, the crew could only film these exterior shots on weekends to avoid disrupting real legal proceedings. If you look closely during the police station exit scenes, you can spot the Civil Justice Centre’s distinctive “filing cabinet” architecture in the background.
3. Lark Lane & Sefton Park, Liverpool
Ruth Jones’ character, Elena, operates largely out of Liverpool. Her scenes were filmed around the bohemian Lark Lane area, known for its independent cafes and bars. The park where she conducts her surveillance is Sefton Park. The production uses the contrast between Simon’s wealthy Cheshire world and Elena’s vibrant Liverpool setting to highlight the class divide.
4. The “Marindique” Estate (Dukinfield)
The creepy, squat-like estate where the drug gang operates is filmed in Dukinfield, Tameside. The brutalist architecture adds a sense of dread that matches the plot’s darker moments.
Run Away Netflix vs. The Harlan Coben Novel
If you have read the 2019 book, you might be confused by some changes. The Harlan Coben Run Away cast brings to life characters that have been tweaked for British sensibilities.
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The Setting: As mentioned, New York becomes Manchester/Cheshire.
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Ingrid’s Job: In the book, she is a doctor; in the show, a heart surgeon.
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The Villain: The book features a cult-like entity. The show leans more into a modern drug network, which feels more grounded in the reality of UK “County Lines” crime issues.
These changes were made by writer Danny Brocklehurst, who has adapted almost all of Coben’s work for Netflix. He knows how to translate American thriller tropes into British drama gold.
FAQs
Is Run Away a sequel to Fool Me Once?
No. While they share the same production team and “vibe,” the stories are unconnected. However, eagle-eyed fans might spot Easter eggs referencing the broader universe.
How many episodes are in Run Away on Netflix?
There are 8 episodes in total, with each running approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
Who plays the daughter Paige in Run Away?
Paige is played by Dutch-British actress Ellie de Lange.
Where is the Marindique estate in real life?
The estate scenes were filmed in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, using an industrial backdrop to create the fictional squat.
Is the school “Lanford University” real?
No, Lanford is fictional. The university scenes were filmed using campuses from the University of Manchester and Liverpool Hope University.
Summary
From James Nesbitt’s powerhouse performance to the haunting backdrop of Saddleworth Moor and Oldham, Run Away is a masterclass in the British “Coben” formula. The Harlan Coben Run Away cast delivers exactly what we want: emotional depth wrapped in a high-octane mystery.
If you enjoyed this, we highly recommend checking out the 2025 series Missing You, which features a similar visual style and pacing.
What do you think?
Which cast member surprised you the most? Did Ruth Jones work as a serious investigator for you? Drop a comment below!
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