Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Stay Close, which masterfully weaves together three interconnected lives haunted by a mysterious disappearance that refuses to stay buried in the past.
Stay Close premiered on Netflix on December 31, 2021, featuring eight compelling episodes adapted from Harlan Coben’s 2012 novel of the same name. The series was produced by Red Production Company for Netflix and released as an eight-episode miniseries. Created specifically for Netflix’s growing catalog of psychological thrillers, Stay Close represents another successful adaptation of Harlan Coben’s intricate mystery novels. The series excels at exploring how past trauma continues to shape present-day decisions, proving that some secrets have the power to destroy everything we’ve built.
This isn’t your typical missing person mystery. Stay Close operates in the complex realm of interconnected lives where every character harbors devastating secrets that could unravel their carefully constructed new identities. The story follows the lives of a photojournalist, a soccer mom and a homicide detective who are all disturbed by a terrible event from the past. What makes this series particularly compelling is how it demonstrates that running from your past is impossible when the people you left behind refuse to let you go.
Megan Pierce: The Suburban Mom with a Dark Past
Cush Jumbo stars as Megan Pierce, a suburban mum living in the fictional suburb of Livingstone, hiding a murky past. She has found her soulmate in Dave, and they have three great children. Megan represents the ultimate reinvention story – a woman who has completely transformed her life but can never fully escape who she used to be. Jumbo delivers a powerhouse performance that captures both Megan’s fierce protectiveness over her new family and her terror that her past will destroy everything she’s worked to build.
The series explores Megan’s internal struggle between her desire to protect her family’s innocence and her inability to completely sever ties with her former life. Stay Close excels at showing how guilt and fear can poison even the happiest relationships, as Megan constantly battles between honesty and self-preservation. Her character arc demonstrates that true peace is impossible when built on foundations of deception.
Ray Levine: The Broken Photographer Seeking Redemption
Richard Armitage portrays Ray Levine, who was once a talented documentary photographer. Losing the woman he loved changed him. Now he is in a dead-end job, playing a paparazzo-for-hire, pandering to rich kid pseudo-celebrities. Ray’s character represents the devastating impact of loss and guilt, showing how trauma can completely derail a promising life. Armitage brings both vulnerability and determination to the role, capturing Ray’s desperate need for redemption.
Ray inadvertently captures a crucial photograph while taking pictures in the woods, providing key evidence that connects to Carlton’s death. His journey from broken man to accidental detective forms one of the series’ most compelling character arcs. Stay Close uses Ray’s photography background brilliantly, showing how the camera can both capture truth and destroy lives depending on what it reveals.
Detective Broome: The Obsessed Investigator
James Nesbitt delivers a memorable performance as Detective Broome, the investigator whose obsession with cold cases threatens to consume his personal life. Broome represents the relentless pursuit of justice, even when that pursuit comes at great personal cost. His character serves as the bridge between past and present, refusing to let old mysteries remain unsolved.
The dynamic between Broome and the other characters creates fascinating tension as his investigation forces everyone to confront secrets they thought were safely buried. Stay Close excels at showing how some investigators become so consumed by their cases that they lose sight of everything else, including their own wellbeing and relationships.
The Mystery That Connects Three Lives
The central mystery revolves around Carlton Flynn’s disappearance, which occurs 17 years to the night after Stewart Green disappeared, setting off a chain reaction in the lives of people connected to both men. This coincidence serves as the catalyst that brings all three protagonists together, forcing them to confront how their past actions have shaped their present circumstances.
Stay Close masterfully builds suspense by gradually revealing how seemingly unconnected characters are actually bound together by shared secrets and mutual guilt. The series doesn’t rely on coincidence for its plot twists; instead, it shows how past actions create inevitable consequences that eventually demand accountability.
Supporting Cast Brings Depth and Mystery
The series features an incredible lineup including Sarah Parish, with the eight-part thriller posing the question of how well you ever really know someone. Eddie Izzard delivers an engaging performance as Harry, creating a character who is believable yet enigmatic. Each supporting character serves a crucial function in either concealing or revealing the truth about the central mystery.
The supporting cast excels at creating a world where everyone has something to hide, making every interaction feel loaded with potential revelation or betrayal. Stay Close succeeds in creating an atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion where viewers constantly question each character’s motives and truthfulness.
Success on Netflix Platform
Stay Close achieved a 6.9 IMDb rating, demonstrating solid viewer engagement with this complex mystery thriller. The series represents Netflix’s successful strategy of adapting popular novels into binge-worthy limited series that provide complete narratives without the commitment of ongoing seasons. Stay Close proves that Harlan Coben adaptations continue to find appreciative audiences who enjoy intricate plotting and morally complex characters.
The series showcases Netflix’s ability to create sophisticated international content that appeals to global audiences while maintaining the distinctly British sensibility of the source material.
Perfect for Mystery and Psychological Thriller Fans
If you love complex mysteries that explore how past actions continue to impact present relationships, Stay Close is the perfect miniseries to binge on Netflix. The series delivers both satisfying plot resolution and deep character exploration, proving that the best mysteries are ultimately about human nature and the consequences of our choices.
Why This Series Will Keep You Guessing
Positive Points:
- Outstanding performances from Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage, and James Nesbitt
- Masterful adaptation that honors the source material while creating visual excitement
- Complex plotting that rewards careful attention without becoming overly convoluted
- Authentic character relationships that feel genuine and emotionally invested
- Perfect miniseries length that tells a complete story without unnecessary padding
Negative Points:
- Multiple timeline shifts may confuse viewers who prefer linear storytelling
- Some plot coincidences may strain credibility for viewers seeking realism
- Dark themes and violence may be too intense for viewers seeking lighter entertainment
- Complex character motivations require active engagement from viewers
- British setting and cultural references may not resonate with all international audiences
Stay Close proves that the most haunting mysteries aren’t about what happened in the past, but about how those past actions continue to poison the present until truth finally surfaces.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 8 episodes (completed miniseries)
- Platform: Netflix
- Year Released: 2021
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
- Production Type: British miniseries
- Status: Completed miniseries
- Protagonists: Cush Jumbo (Megan Pierce), Richard Armitage (Ray Levine), James Nesbitt (Detective Broome)