When Harlan Coben's Run Away hit Netflix on New Year's Day 2026, it was an instant sensation. The five-part thriller, packed with jaw-dropping twists and stellar performances, quickly climbed the streaming charts, even overtaking Stranger Things as the platform's most-watched title worldwide, according to FlixPatrol. But while Run Away earned its spotlight, it's easy to overlook another Coben gem that premiered a year earlier—Missing You—which offers an equally gripping mystery and a darker, more menacing side of James Nesbitt.
What Is 'Missing You' About?
Missing You centers on Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), a hardened detective who leads a missing persons unit. Her world is upended when she spots her former fiancé, Josh (Ashley Walters), on a dating app—eleven years after he vanished without a trace. When she confronts him online, he blocks her, leaving her with more questions than answers. Meanwhile, Kat is investigating the disappearance of Rishi Magari (Rudi Dharmalingam), but the case takes a bizarre turn when a young boy asks her to find his missing mother, who was last seen with Josh. As Kat digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets that forces her to confront the ghosts of her past, including the unsolved murder of her father (Lenny Henry), a case that has haunted her for years.
James Nesbitt's Chilling Transformation
In Run Away, Nesbitt plays Simon Greene, a desperate father searching for his missing daughter. His performance is raw and emotional, capturing a man pushed to his limits. But in Missing You, Nesbitt takes on a completely different persona: Calligan, a powerful and shady gangster who is confident, arrogant, and manipulative. In his first encounter with Kat—set in an art museum, no less—he remains calm and collected, making it clear he's no saint but hinting that he could be a valuable ally in her investigation.
Their uneasy alliance, which Calligan calls a "détente," sees him offering crucial information about Kat's father's killer in exchange for her turning a blind eye to his own activities. It's a performance that showcases Nesbitt's range, proving he can be just as compelling as a cold-blooded criminal as he is as a grieving parent.
Why 'Missing You' Is Worth Your Weekend
While Run Away delivers twists until the very last scene, Missing You offers its own brand of suspense. Over five episodes, the series weaves together multiple mysteries—Kat's missing fiancé, the missing mother, and her father's murder—into a satisfying, interconnected narrative. Coben's signature style is on full display, with unexpected connections and shocking reveals that keep viewers guessing until the end.
If you're a fan of tight, binge-worthy thrillers, Missing You is a perfect pick. It's a show that rewards careful attention, and Nesbitt's performance alone is worth the watch. For those who enjoyed Run Away, this is a chance to see the actor in a completely different light—one that's far more sinister.
So, if you're looking for a weekend binge that's both gripping and thought-provoking, give Missing You a shot. It might just be the hidden gem you've been searching for. And if you're in the mood for more supernatural scares, check out this haunting thriller for another weekend watch.
