Netflix’s latest Harlan Coben adaptation, which has been filmed all around Greater Manchester over recent months, officially has a release date.
Following the success of the best-selling thriller author’s previous shows on the streaming platform, both of which were also filmed at least in part around the region, they confirmed that a further two shows would be coming too.
The drama series is called Missing You and is based on Harlan Coben’s 2014 novel of the same name. Believe it or not, this is the NINTH time that Netflix has adapted one of his books (yes, nine!), with this being the third time they have filmed one of his works in and around Manchester.
Much like the story itself, the trio seem to have a bit of a love affair going on between them – though we promise you this one will be much more complicated…
Set to release on 1 January 2025, Missing You stars Rosalind Eleazar in the lead role as Kat Donovan, a detective specialising in Missing Persons.
ADVERTISEMENT
You won’t want to miss these first looks at Harlan Coben’s newest thriller MISSING YOU.
Starring Rosalind Eleazar, Richard Armitage, Ashley Walters, Lenny Henry, and Jessica Plummer, coming soon to Netflix. pic.twitter.com/IAcClK1rJQ
Starring alongside other big British names like Ashley Walters, Richard Armitage, Sir Lenny Henry; Steve Pemberton, Jessica Plummer and James Nesbitt, the series is once again produced by Quay Street Productions (part of ITV Studios).
Without giving too much away, here’s the synopsis: 11 years ago, Detective Kat Donovan’s fiancé Josh – the love of her life – disappeared and she’s never heard from him since. Now, swiping profiles on a dating app, she suddenly sees his face and her world explodes all over again. Creepy, right?
ADVERTISEMENT
Josh’s reappearance forces her to dive back into not only his life since going missing but the mystery surrounding her father’s murder and uncover long-buried secrets from her past too.
Although many of Coben’s stories take place in the US, the Netflix adaptation is also transposed to a UK setting and so filming took place all over Greater Manchester, including the city centre, Le Mans Crescent and Victoria Square in Bolton, as well as various other spots around the North West.
Coben serves as executive producer through his company, Final Twist Productions, with help from the likes of Danny Brocklehurst (Brassic) and Guy Hescott (The Red King, Without Sin); Victoria Asare-Archer from Stay Close is the lead writer and directing is split between Nimer Rashed (Fool Me Once) and Isher Sahota (Ridley, Grace).
ADVERTISEMENT
Set across five hour-long episodes, if Netflix’s follow-up to Fool Me Once – which was recently named the most-watched show on the platform in the first half of 2024 – is even half as popular as its previous programme, it’ll still be a huge success.
As for Quay Street, the locally-based production house has a long track record of delivering top-quality drama thanks to its founder and multi-award-winning producer, Nicola Shindler OBE, who set up the company back in 2021.
Her credits have included Fool Me Once, It’s A Sin, Stay Close, Ridley Road, Finding Alice, The Stranger, Happy Valley and cult favourite Queer As Folk (1999-2000).
With a pedigree like that, we’re confident the latest Harlan Coben adaptation from Netflix will be just as good as the last one, and we can’t wait to play another round of ‘guess where in Manchester that was filmed’. Speaking of, it’s not the only local production of late.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year
Daisy Jackson
The spectacular Blue Planet III will come to Manchester live in concert next year, bringing the hit BBC nature documentary to life with a live orchestra.
The new arena tour will pull together the most breathtaking footage beneath the waves from across the series, curated for a giant Ultra HD LED screen.
Blue Planet III will hit screens later this year, narrated once again by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
Filmed across four years, it will take audiences everywhere from tropical coral reefs to the darkest depths of the ocean.
When the Blue Planet III Live In Concert show arrives in Manchester, it will be hosted by series executive producer Elizabeth White, who’ll share incredible stories and behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the series.
The score once again comes from Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, with Thom Lukas and Laurentia Editha for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
The companion live concert is preparing to take audiences even deeper into the underwater world on an epic audio-visual scale.
Specially curated footage from Blue Planet III will be shown on a state-of-the-art 200 sq metre Ultra HD LED screen – one of the largest of its kind used for an orchestral touring screen show and approximately the size of a tennis court.
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year. Credit: BBC Studios
The brand-new Blue Planet III Live in Concert will kick off here in Manchester before heading to Birmingham, Glasgow, and London.
Executive Producer Elizabeth White says: “Making Blue Planet III has taken us to places we never imagined we’d film. But there’s something about bringing that footage into a concert arena full of people, with the score performed live all around you, that will be truly special.
“This tour is our chance to share the series on a completely different scale, and I can’t wait to be there live, revealing the extraordinary stories behind what audiences are seeing on screen.”
Hans Zimmer says: “There’s nothing like experiencing this score live with an orchestra, especially when it’s paired with the extraordinary visuals of the life underwater. Thom, Laurentia and I are ecstatic that audiences will be able to enjoy our score in this way.”
Blue Planet III Live in Concert will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 21 May 2027 – general release tickets start from £40 and go on sale from 11am on Friday 16 October HERE.
Danny Jones -
12th October 2024 
