In 2024, Netflix crowned one series as its most-watched show of the year: Fool Me Once, the Harlan Coben adaptation that kept millions glued to their screens for weeks. The man behind that global phenomenon—award-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst—has now quietly confirmed he is back with another original crime drama for the streamer. This new project, currently in development under a working title that Netflix is keeping closely guarded, is already generating intense buzz among fans and industry insiders alike. Brocklehurst, the creative force who turned Coben’s twist-heavy thrillers into addictive viewing events, promises his latest series will deliver the same signature ingredients—flawed characters, shattering secrets, and slow-burn tension that tightens like a noose—while pushing the boundaries even further into darker, more dangerous territory.
Brocklehurst first rose to prominence as one of Britain’s most versatile and respected screenwriters. His credits include the critically acclaimed Ordinary Lies, The Driver, and The Accused, but it was his partnership with Harlan Coben that catapulted him to international fame. Brocklehurst adapted Coben’s novels Stay Close (2021), The Stranger (2020), Safe (2018), and The Innocent (2021) for Netflix, each becoming a massive hit. Then came Fool Me Once (2024), starring Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern, a grieving widow who believes she sees her murdered husband on a nanny cam. The eight-episode series exploded onto global charts, racking up over 78 million views in its first month and becoming Netflix’s most-watched English-language show of the entire year. Critics praised Brocklehurst’s ability to preserve Coben’s trademark twists while grounding them in emotionally resonant character work, turning what could have been a standard thriller into a compulsive, emotionally layered binge.
Now, Brocklehurst is preparing to step out from behind Coben’s shadow with an original crime drama that insiders say could be even more addictive. Unlike his previous Netflix projects, this new series is not based on an existing novel. It is an entirely original story created by Brocklehurst himself, giving him full creative control over characters, tone, and pacing. Early descriptions from production sources paint a picture of a slow-burn psychological thriller set in a seemingly ordinary British suburb that hides layers of deception, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.
The series centers on a tight-knit community shattered by a single, seemingly random act of violence. A high-profile disappearance or murder—details remain under wraps—forces a group of neighbors, friends, and family members to confront truths they have spent years avoiding. As the investigation unfolds, alliances fracture, old grudges resurface, and everyone becomes a suspect. Brocklehurst has promised “characters you’ll love, hate, and never fully trust,” a hallmark of his writing style. The tone is described as darker and more morally ambiguous than Fool Me Once, with a greater emphasis on psychological realism and the quiet devastation of everyday secrets.
While the full cast has not yet been announced, Netflix has confirmed that the series will feature an ensemble of acclaimed British actors. Early rumors have circulated about potential leads including Suranne Jones (Vigil, Doctor Foster), James Norton (Happy Valley, McMafia), and Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Phantom Thread), though nothing has been officially confirmed. What is known is that Brocklehurst is directing several episodes himself—a rare move for a writer of his caliber—ensuring the visual style and pacing match his meticulous storytelling.
The decision to fast-track this project speaks volumes about Netflix’s confidence in Brocklehurst. After Fool Me Once shattered viewership records and became a cultural talking point, the streamer has positioned him as one of its most reliable architects of addictive drama. The new series is expected to follow a similar eight-episode format, with a planned premiere in late 2026 or early 2027—making it one of Netflix’s major crime-drama tentpoles for the coming year.
Fans of Fool Me Once have already begun speculating about the new show’s potential. Social media is filled with posts expressing both excitement and apprehension: “If Brocklehurst can top Fool Me Once, I’m not sleeping for a week,” one viewer wrote. Another added, “He knows how to make you hate yourself for staying up until 3 a.m. bingeing. I’m ready to be ruined again.” The consensus among fans is clear: whatever Brocklehurst delivers next, it will be impossible to stop watching once you start.
Brocklehurst himself has been characteristically understated in interviews. “I love working in this genre because it lets you explore the darkest parts of human nature while still telling a compelling story,” he said recently. “With Fool Me Once, we got to play with trust, grief, and deception on a massive scale. This new project takes those same ideas and pushes them even further—into places that are more personal, more uncomfortable, and, hopefully, more unforgettable.”
The series is being produced by Quay Street Productions (the company behind Fool Me Once) and executive produced by Brocklehurst, Coben (in an advisory role), and Netflix’s drama team. Filming is scheduled to begin in the UK in early 2026, with locations expected to include Manchester, Liverpool, and the surrounding countryside to capture the suburban setting that will slowly reveal its sinister underbelly.
As Netflix continues to dominate the prestige-drama space, Landman and Fool Me Once have shown the power of strong writing, complex characters, and unrelenting tension. Brocklehurst’s next project arrives at a time when audiences are hungry for intelligent, addictive crime stories that feel both familiar and fresh. If his track record is any indication, this new drama will not just be watched—it will be devoured.
Crime-drama fans, take a deep breath. The wait is almost over. Danny Brocklehurst is back, and he’s bringing something even darker, even more dangerous, and even more impossible to stop watching.
