Harlan Coben, the master of mystery-thrillers with over 30 novels and a dozen adaptations, has teamed up with prolific showrunner Robert Hull for Netflix's latest gripping series, I Will Find You. The show follows David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), a man convicted of killing his young son, Matthew. When his sister-in-law Rachel (Britt Lower) shows him a photo of a child who looks exactly like Matthew, the story unravels into a tense quest for truth filled with action, twists, and conspiracies.
In a recent interview, Coben and Hull discussed the challenges and triumphs of bringing this story to life. One key element was filming on location in real prisons, Times Square, and other authentic settings. Hull emphasized that using real locations instead of soundstages gave the show a grounded feel, even with its heightened plot. 'Everything is real, and it gives the show this heightened storyline — it gives us everything a grounded feel,' he said.
The cast, which includes Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, and Madeleine Stowe, came together almost organically. Coben noted that Worthington was the linchpin, bringing gravitas to the role with minimal dialogue. 'Oftentimes, we would say, “Let's not even write him a line. Let's just get a close-up of Sam's face,” because it conveys so much,' Coben shared. Lower joined after expressing interest, and Ventimiglia was paired with Hayden, making him a natural fit. The team also landed Chi McBride and Stowe, who Coben described as 'an embarrassment of riches.'
Hull credited Coben's storytelling for attracting top-tier actors who might not typically take supporting roles. 'Milo is a perfect example of someone who normally wouldn't be number three on the call sheet, but you present this type of material, and a good actor doesn't care,' he said.
The duo also delved into the show's wildest twists, noting that every red herring serves a purpose. 'Every red herring actually is a story in and of itself,' Hull explained. The series keeps viewers on edge with shocking conspiracies and emotional reveals, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
Beyond I Will Find You, Coben provided an exciting update on his Myron Bolitar series, which he's developing for Netflix with David E. Kelley. The adaptation, based on his beloved book series about a retired basketball player turned sports agent, is moving forward. Coben hinted that the project is in active development, though he remained tight-lipped on specifics. He also revealed he has no plans to direct, preferring to focus on writing and producing.
For fans of Coben's work, I Will Find You delivers the signature twists and emotional depth that have made his stories a staple of the thriller genre. As Hull put it, the show's greatest challenge—filming in real locations—became its greatest strength, creating an authentic backdrop for a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.
