Fool Me Once, an eight-episode British television series, made its debut on January 1, 2024. The show is currently streaming on Netflix and is an adaptation of Harlan Coben’s book of the same title. Starring Michelle Keegan, Richard Armitage, Adeel Akhtar, Emmett J. Scanlan, and Joanna Lumley, the narrative centers around an ex-soldier who, via a nanny cam, observes her allegedly deceased husband, Joe, inside their residence. Simultaneously, Abby and Daniel, her niece and nephew, embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind their mother’s murder.
The decision to limit the series to eight episodes was made early on, a strategic choice stemming from its source material—the novel—allowing for a comprehensive conclusion to the storyline in the final episode. However, fans of Harlan Coben need not fret, as several of his works have already been adapted into both films and series. If Fool Me Once captivated your interest, consider exploring other British series such as Safe (2018), Stranger (2020), and Stay Close (2021).
Anticipate more adaptations of Coben’s stories, as his collaboration with Netflix extends to include the Myron Bolitar series, marking the first US-based adaptation among his works. While potential adaptations of his books Six Years and Run Away remain unconfirmed, Netflix has yet to make official announcements.
For those enamored with the British essence of Fool Me Once, Netflix promises a lineup of other British shows and movies scheduled for release in 2024 and beyond. Among them are The Gentlemen, set to premiere in March 2024, along with Black Doves and Department Q. In addition to Coben’s narratives, Netflix recommends exploring other series, including Bodies—a sci-fi crime drama involving four detectives from different timelines investigating the same murder—and You Don’t Know Me, a collaboration between the BBC and Netflix that features a man using his trial’s concluding statement to recount details of his love life.