Harlan Coben’s ‘The Woods’ Gets a Gripping New UK Adaptation

Netflix is bringing another Harlan Coben story to the screen, this time with a new UK adaptation of The Woods. According to information shared by Tudum, the eight-episode limited series is currently filming in Manchester and across the North West of England.

The series is based on Coben’s 2007 novel and follows Paul “Cope” Copeland, a man still haunted by the disappearance of his sister during a summer camp trip twenty years earlier. When a body suddenly appears connected to the old case, Cope starts to believe his sister may still be alive. As he searches for answers, long-hidden secrets begin to surface.

The adaptation was written by Danny Brocklehurst, who previously worked on several successful Coben projects for Netflix, including Fool Me Once, Run Away, and Stay Close. Netflix is producing the series together with Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios.

Tom Bateman leads the cast as Paul Copeland, while Michelle Keegan plays Lucy Silverfield. The cast also includes Mandeep Dhillon, Pearce Quigley, James Buckley, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Rade Sherbedgia, and several others.

Speaking to Tudum, Coben explained why The Woods remains special to him after nearly two decades. “It’s one of my most personal novels,” he said. “Like the story’s hero, Paul Copeland, I worked as a counselor at a sleepaway camp when I was too young for the job.”

Bateman also shared his excitement about joining the project. “Harlan Coben’s shows are always such gripping events, so the opportunity to be part of his world is really exciting,” he told Tudum. “The worlds are so rich and interesting to play as an actor because they deal with ghosts and secrets, and they pull the characters into the most unexpected places.”

Michelle Keegan described her character Lucy as emotionally complex and very different from her role in Fool Me Once. “Lucy is a totally different character to Maya,” she said. “She’s a little damaged and never found true peace.”

Brocklehurst said the emotional connection between the characters is what drew him most to the story. According to Tudum, the writer wanted to focus heavily on the relationship between siblings while balancing the mystery and suspense that Coben’s stories are known for.

Coben also praised the cast, especially Bateman and Keegan. “Tom is such a huge talent and the perfect leading man,” he said. “You can’t take your eyes off either one of them. They are the ideal Paul and Lucy.”

Netflix has not announced a release date yet, but production is already underway in the UK. The series will be directed by Andy De Emmony and Claire Tailyour.

The Woods joins Netflix’s growing collection of Harlan Coben adaptations, which now includes titles produced in several different languages. According to Tudum, another adaptation, I Will Find You, is also expected to arrive on Netflix later this year.

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