Who stars in Netflix's latest Harlan Coben adaptation Fool Me Once?

Harlan Coben fans received the best kind of New Year's Day treat with Netflix dropping an addictive thriller series based on Coben's 2016 novel Fool Me Once. For those who have been watching Coben's series and reading his books, you'll be happy to know that Fool Me Once is an eight-episode thrill ride that will have you hooked from start to finish.

The British miniseries focuses on a woman named Maya Stern who is mourning her recently murdered husband. But shortly after his death, Maya recognizes something very disturbing on her nanny cam: her husband playing with their daughter Lily. How is that possible? Could he have faked his death? Is something else going on?

Get to know the cast and characters of Fool Me Once below.

Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern

English actress Michelle Keegan leads the cast of Fool Me Once as the devastated widow Maya Stern, a former army member who served in combat and who previously lost her sister to similar horrific circumstances. Maya is struggling to navigate her husband's murder as she discovers there might be a disturbing link between the two deaths.

Keegan is best known for her long-running role as Tina McIntyre in the beloved ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She also starred in the BBC drama Our Girl and recently appeared in the historical drama series Ten Pound Poms. You might also recognize her as Erin Croft in the comedy-drama Brassic, which is ongoing.

Richard Armitage as Joe Burkett

If you watch a lot of Netflix regularly then odds are you have seen Richard Armitage in several of Netflix's thriller miniseries. It seems like Armitage has a knack for Harlan Coben works as he's appeared in several, including Stay Close and The Stranger. In 2023, he also starred in the erotic thriller series Obsession alongside Charlie Murphy.

Armitage takes a different role in his latest Netflix series, playing the supposedly deceased husband of Maya Stern, Joe Burkett. The series begins with Maya and Joe's family mourning his death, but then later Maya sees him on her nanny cam. How is that possible? You'll have to watch the series to find out what happens!

Some of Armitage's other notable credits include The Hobbit trilogy, Castlevania, and North & South.

Adeel Akhtar as DS Sami Kierce

British performer Adeel Akhtar plays the lead detective of the murder investigation into Joe Burkett's murder. He also has a pivotal role in the series as we learn more about his personal life and a surprising connection to the Burkett family dynasty.

Akhtar is a BAFTA-winning actor known for his acclaimed performance in the British drama series Murdered by My Father. He also received acclaim for his work in Channel 4's Utopia and the BBC One series Sherwood. You may have seen him Four Lions, The Big Sick, or the Netflix film Enola Holmes co-starring Millie Bobby Brown.

Joanna Lumley as Judith Burkett

Judith Burkett is the matriarch of the Burkett family and Joe's mother. Maya and her mother-in-law frequently butt heads throughout the series. Joanna Lumley is a popular and renowned actress, author, and entertainer who is probably best known for playing Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, a role that earned her multiple BAFTAs.

She also received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the Broadway revival of La Bête. Like her co-star Michelle Keegan, Lumley previously appeared on Coronation Street and series like The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Finding Alice. She voices Lady Johanna Constantine in The Sandman podcast series.

More Fool Me Once cast members

In addition to the main cast above, here's who else stars in Fool Me Once.

• Emmett J. Scanlan as Maya's friend Shane Tessier
• Dino Fetscher as Kierce's partner Marty McGreggor
• Jade Anouka as Kierce's sponsor Nicole Butler
• Natalia Kostrzewa as the Burkett family nanny Izabella Godek
• Natalie Anderson as Maya's murdered sister Claire Walker
• Marcus Garvey as Claire's husband Eddie Walker
• Danya Griver as Abby Walker
• Daniel Burt as Daniel Walker
• Frederick Szkoda as Luca
• Edward Harper-Jones as Andrew Burkett
• Hattie Morahan as Caroline Burkett
• Thea Taylor Morgan as Lily Burkett