Harlan Coben’s New Netflix Series ‘I Will Find You’ Marks First U.S.-Set Adaptation After Dozen U.K. Projects

Harlan Coben’s latest Netflix series, *I Will Find You*, represents a significant shift in the author’s career, as it is his first adaptation set in the United States after a dozen previous projects relocated to the U.K., according to the author. The series, which premiered on Netflix, is based on Coben’s novel of the same name and features Sam Worthington as David Burroughs, a man wrongly convicted of murdering his son who escapes prison after spotting a photo he believes belongs to the real killer.

A Shift in Setting

Coben, known for his psychological thrillers, has previously collaborated with British production teams on adaptations like *The Stranger* and *Stay Close*, which were set in the U.K. “Working with this team is just a lot of fun,” Coben told *CBS Mornings*, citing the blend of American stories with British sensibilities as a creative advantage. However, *I Will Find You* marks a departure, with the action taking place in Boston. “It’s great to stop getting a note, ‘Not everybody has a gun in the U.K.,’” Coben joked to *TV Insider*, highlighting the freedom to include more authentic American elements.

The decision to set the series in the U.S. was also driven by the source material. “The books are placed here, so it was interesting… we got to do the exact location that we wanted,” Coben said, emphasizing the importance of aligning the adaptation with the original story’s setting.

The Creative Process

The series was developed by Robert Hull, who partnered with Coben during the novel’s writing phase. “I was still writing the novel… Robbie and I had gotten together and wanted to make a show together,” Coben explained. The collaboration allowed for a unique workflow: Hull began adapting the story while Coben was still drafting the book. “His eyes went wide, and he’s like, ‘That’s the one I want, that’s the one, don’t tell anybody else,’” Coben recalled, describing the immediate enthusiasm for the project.

Netflix’s involvement came after Coben pitched the novel-in-progress. “Netflix is like, ‘Oh, it’s a novel?’ Like, ‘Well, not yet, but it will be,’” he said. The series, which premiered in 2024, is now available for streaming.

Why It Matters

Coben’s move to U.S.-based adaptations reflects broader trends in global streaming content, where localized storytelling is increasingly prioritized. Previous U.K.-set series, such as *The Stranger*, leveraged British production aesthetics, but *I Will Find You* underscores a push for more regionally specific narratives. This shift aligns with Netflix’s strategy to diversify its content library while maintaining the appeal of established authors.

For fans of Coben’s work, the series offers a fresh take on his signature suspenseful style, grounded in American settings. The show’s focus on themes like injustice and redemption, paired with its Boston backdrop, positions it as a standout in Coben’s filmography.