The Netflix Crime Thriller Series Fans Can’t Stop Watching

Fool Me Once begins with a family in turmoil following two shocking murders. Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan) discovers unsettling footage on her home security cameras, revealing her supposedly deceased husband, Joe (Richard Armitage), returning as an intruder. At the same time, Maya’s niece and nephew, Abby and Daniel, plan to uncover the truth behind their mother’s murder.

The story unfolds across eight episodes, each directed by David Moore or Nimer Rashed and written by Danny Brocklehurst, Charlotte Coben, Yemi Oyefuwa, Nina Metivier, and Tom Farrelly. From the gripping premiere to the climactic finale, Fool Me Once weaves a complex web of deception, suspense, and unexpected twists as the seemingly unrelated murders appear connected.

Unlike the American setting of Harlan Coben’s novel, Fool Me Once takes place in the United Kingdom, adding a distinctive flavor to the story. As an executive producer, Coben collaborated with Brocklehurst to bring this adaptation to life. The series is just one of Coben’s literary works that Netflix is adapting into a series.

Filming for Fool Me Once began in February 2023 in Manchester, England, with additional scenes shot in Spain. The production wrapped in August 2023, with the final product showcasing a visually stunning, immersive experience. Since its release, the series has earned widespread acclaim for its gripping story, stellar performances, and high production values.

Despite its success, Fool Me Once won’t be returning for a second season. Billed as a limited series, the show was designed with a predetermined number of episodes to create a comprehensive story arc. Additionally, Harlan Coben’s contractual agreement with Netflix suggests that another of his novels is likely to take precedence for adaptation.

Coben inked a five-year deal with Netflix in 2018, confirming the development of 14 of his novels, like Fool Me Once, into shows or movies for the streaming platform. The contract was renewed in 2022, extending the deal for an additional four years and 12 more titles. It also includes Coben’s Myron Bolitar series and the 2021 novel Win.

To date, the Harlan Coben Collection on Netflix features adaptations like The Stranger, Stay Close, Innocent, Hold Tight, The Woods, and Gone For Good. While there were indications that projects based on his 2013 book Six Years and the 2019 novel Run Away were in the works, updates on their development have been scarce over the past few years.

Meanwhile, viewers took to social media to share their thoughts on Fool Me Once. “I binged #FoolMeOnce overnight coz I couldn’t stop watching. So many twists. It had me hooked,” one person wrote. “I did not expect to end #FoolMeOnce in floods of tears, but that was BRILLIANT,” another added. “I think #FoolMeOnce might be the best Harlan Coben adaptation yet,” said someone else.

Despite the positive response from some viewers, Fool Me Once currently has an audience score of 41 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Complaints from its detractors include pointless twists and multiple unresolved storylines. Others dubbed the series “shallow, overacted, and tedious.” All eight episodes are available to stream on Netflix.