5 Netflix shows we totally thought were Harlan Coben shows (but aren't)

Don't you just love a good mystery thriller? I do! Prolific author Harlan Coben, also known by many as the "master of domestic suspense," has many thriller novels that have been turned into Netflix shows. His most recent television adaptation for Netflix was the mystery thriller series Fool Me Once, which starred Michelle Keegan. Through Coben's ongoing creative partnership with the streaming giant, we can expect many more of his work to be adapted into series or movies. This is great news for fans.

But have you ever watched a show on Netflix and immediately assumed it was part of Harlan Coben's collection on the platform? I have several times. All of Coben's work has a similar vibe, if that makes sense, and there are some Netflix shows I've watched that could've easily been written by him. But then I go and do my research and find out that he had no involvement whatsoever.

Are you wondering what Netflix shows I'm talking about? If so, continue reading to find out!

Clickbait

Clickbait is a miniseries that was released on Netflix back in 2021. Additionally, it was created by Australian screenwriters Tony Ayres and Christian White. The story centers around a seemingly loving husband and father named Nick Brewer, who suddenly goes missing. His abductor then posts a video on the internet of him badly beaten up and holding a sign that says, "I abuse women. At 5 million views, I die." After seeing this video, Nick's loved ones race to uncover who the abductor is and save him before it's too late.

Entourage's Adrian Grenier stars in the leading role of Nick Brewer. Zoe Kazan, Betty Gabriel, Phoenix Raei, Abraham Lim, Motell G Foster, and Jessie Collins also star.

Behind Her Eyes

I remember watching Behind Her Eyes on Netflix and then immediately going to the internet to look up who was behind it. I just knew that Coben had something to do with this show because there were so many twists and turns throughout it. But I was completely wrong. He had absolutely no involvement. British television writer and producer Steve Lightfoot created the series, which is based on Sarah Pinborough's bestselling novel of the same name.

The show follows a single mother named Louise as she begins an affair with her psychiatrist boss, David, and befriends his mysterious wife, Adele. Soon, she becomes entangled in a love triangle with David and Adele, and her life takes a strange turn. Kiss Me First actress Simona Brown stars as Louise, while Tom Bateman and Eve Hewson portray the roles of David and Adele.

The Watcher

Look at the title of this Netflix show and tell me that it doesn't sound like a book that Harlan Coben has written. Well, it turns out Coben doesn't have a book called The Watcher, and this isn't a show of his. In fact, it's the work of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, who are best known for collaborating on the hit musical series Glee.

It's based on a true story that was first published in a magazine called The Cut. It follows the Brannock family, who after purchasing their dream home and moving in, began receiving creepy letters from a mysterious stalker who called themselves “The Watcher.”

The amazingly talented cast is made up of Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Isabel Gravitt, Luke David Blumm, Jennifer Coolidge, Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, Mia Farrow, and many others.

Obsession

Richard Armitage, who has been in three Harlan Coben Netflix shows, stars in this limited series. I think anyone would have assumed that this was another one of Coben's shows just off of that alone. The show's premise will also remind you of a Coben novel. However, Coben has no attachment to this series at all.

Based on the book Damage by Josephine Hart, Obsession follows an esteemed surgeon, who after beginning a passionate affair with his son's fiancée, finds himself drawn into an obsessive spiral. Armitage plays the role of the respected surgeon, William Farrow, while Irish actress Charlie Murphy portrays the woman William is having an affair with, Anna Barton.

Pieces of Her

Last but not least is the thriller series Pieces of Her, which was created by Charlotte Stoudt and based on Karin Slaughter's 2018 novel of the same name. When 30-year-old Andy experiences a random act of violence while out having lunch with her mother, she's shocked to see how her mother quickly responds and handles the situation with ease. Now, with her view of her mother forever changed, Andy embarks on a journey to piece together her mother’s dark past. But this leads her to uncover some deadly secrets about her entire family.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women actress Bella Heathcote stars as Andy in the series, while Emmy Award-winning actress Toni Collette stars as Andy's mother, Laura. Omari Hardwick, David Wenham, Jessica Barden, Jacob Scipio, and Joe Dempsie join Heathcote and Collette in the cast.

Did you watch any of these Netflix shows and think Harlan Coben was behind them?