Michelle Keegan to star in The Woods, another new Harlan Coben drama filmed in Manchester

Michelle Keegan is back with another Harlan Coben Netflix adaptation, once again filmed here in Manchester.

The Woods is a new eight-episode limited series, adapting Coben’s 2007 novel of the same name.

The chilling new mystery series begins with the disappearance of a young girl, Camille, from summer camp, then flashes forwards 20 years with the body of a man turning up – a man who was believed to have been murdered alongside Camille.

The missing girl’s brother Paul ‘Cope’ Copeland, now a top barrister and devoted single father to ten-year-old daughter Cami, becomes determined to uncover the truth about his sister’s disappearance, uncovering years of lies and family secrets.

It will be adapted for screen by Danny Brocklehurst, following on from the run-away success of previous Netflix series, like Fool Me Once, Run Away, and Stay Close.

The Woods will star Michelle Keegan, Tom Bateman, Mandeep Dhillon, Pearce Quigley, and more, with filming taking place right across the North West.

The book has previously been adapted for Netflix, but as a Polish language TV series – this time, it’s a thoroughly Northern affair.

Coben said: “It’s one of my most personal novels. Like the story’s hero, Paul Copeland, I worked as a counsellor at a sleepaway camp when I was too young for the job.”

Tom Bateman said: “Harlan Coben’s shows are always such gripping events, so the opportunity to be part of his world is really exciting,.

“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. I cannot wait to go on the journey with the audience, step by step, as the buried secrets of the story come to light.”

And Michelle Keegan said: “What’s really exciting for me as an actor is that Lucy is dealing with these deep, personal secrets.

“So, I get to really explore her vulnerability and that emotional push and pull, which just makes the story feel so real and powerful.”

Of the cast for The Woods, Harlan Coben said: “What a thrill I get to collaborate again with the amazing Michelle Keegan [Michelle was the lead in Netflix’s Fool Me Once]. And Tom [Bateman] is such a huge talent and the perfect leading man. You can’t take your eyes off either one of them. They are the ideal Paul and Lucy.”

Netflix hasn’t yet confirmed a release date for The Woods.

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Featured image: Ben Blackall / Netflix