She stole the show… reminds me of the brilliant Vera.” That single line has been flooding social media and review sections ever since Netflix dropped its newest Harlan Coben adaptation — and at the center of the frenzy is Ruth Jones, delivering a performance so intense and commanding that fans are calling it one of the best turns of her career.
Known for her warm, witty roles in Gavin & Stacey and Stella, Jones steps into completely different territory here: a quiet, steely, morally ambiguous woman whose presence dominates every scene she’s in. From the moment she appears, there’s a weight to her — calm on the surface, but simmering with something dangerous underneath. Every glance feels loaded, every line lands like a quiet threat. She doesn’t shout or overact; she controls the room with restraint and razor-sharp precision.
The series itself is classic Coben: a fast-moving, twist-heavy mystery that begins with an ordinary family man whose life explodes when a stranger whispers a devastating secret about his wife. From there, the story spirals into a web of lies, blackmail, buried crimes, and people who aren’t who they seem. The pace is relentless — each episode ends on a cliffhanger that makes hitting “next” feel like a compulsion.
But it’s Jones who viewers can’t stop praising. Her character isn’t the lead, yet she becomes the gravitational center. She brings raw emotion and cold control in equal measure, proving she can do far more than comedy. One viral review summed it up: “Ruth Jones is terrifying in the best way — she doesn’t need to raise her voice to make you feel the danger.”
The rest of the cast is strong — Richard Armitage anchors the story as the desperate husband, Siobhan Finneran is excellent as the detective circling closer to the truth, and Hannah John-Kamen is perfectly unsettling as the mysterious “Stranger” who sets everything in motion. But time and again, comments circle back to Jones: “She’s the one I can’t get out of my head,” “She’s carrying half the show,” “This is her Vera moment — dark, layered, unforgettable.”
The series is a masterclass in slow-burn paranoia and sudden shocks. Coben’s signature style — secrets that connect in shocking ways, characters who can’t be trusted, and a final reveal that reframes everything — is executed perfectly. The London setting adds a layer of moody realism, with rainy streets and dimly lit rooms that feel claustrophobic even in wide shots.
Fans are bingeing it in single sittings, posting reactions like “I gasped out loud three times” and “I thought I knew who did it… then episode 6 happened.” The show has quickly climbed Netflix’s global Top 10, proving Coben’s formula still works — especially when paired with a cast this good.
For anyone who loves psychological thrillers that make you question every character, this is the one. Ruth Jones doesn’t just appear — she owns it. And once you watch her in this role, you’ll never look at her the same way again.
All eight episodes are streaming now on Netflix. Clear your evening. You’ve been warned.
