Harlan Coben's Greatest Thriller Series Is This 100% RT Streaming Hit That's Getting Better With Age

3 days ago 6

Miki Esparbé and Juana Acosta on a boat in The Innocent

Published Feb 24, 2026, 11:44 AM EST

Jasneet Singh is a writer who finally has a platform to indulge in long rants about small moments on TV and film in overwhelming detail. With a literature background, she is drawn to the narrative aspect of cinema and will happily rave about her favorite characters. She is also waiting for the Ranger's Apprentice novels to be adapted... but the cycle of hope and disappointment every two years is getting too painful to bear.

In 2018, thriller author Harlan Coben signed a deal with Netflix, which has resulted in a plethora of miniseries that adapt his page-turning crime dramas. His more well-known adaptations are The Stranger, likely most people's first foray into the Harlan Coben cinematic universe, or, more recently, Run Away, where twists and turns are a dime a dozen. But in 2021, he collaborated with esteemed Spanish director Oriol Paulo, who is known for his twisty thrillers, to adapt The Innocent, a miniseries that was lauded with a 100% RT score yet is sorely overlooked. It has many hallmarks of a Coben series, including shocking twists and a multi-perspective take on a mystery, but what makes the limited series stand out from the catalog as a timeless piece is its character-driven story.

'The Innocent' Is Harlan Coben's Most Timeless, Character-Driven Story

It's not only Mat's past that haunts the series, but each major character is forced to confront the ripple effects of a previous decision, ones that beget catastrophic consequences. As such, The Innocent stands apart from other Coben fare because the focus isn't necessarily the central mystery, but the characters' stories and secrets. In the premiere, you may first believe it is simply Mat's journey at the forefront, but Episode 2 immediately pivots to a new character, Detective Lorena (Alexandra Jiménez), who is called to investigate the death of a nun in a seemingly separate plot. By the end of the episode, we reunite with Mat, and their journeys intertwine unexpectedly. Cue the next switch-and-bait at the beginning of Episode 3, which takes the perspective of another character who will remain unspoiled.

The multiple POVs make for a storytelling format that is more of a slow-burn than what we've come to expect from a Coben project, but it is utterly effective in keeping our nerves taut. That's not to say that the show will lose a grip on your attention, as these episodes contain countless tiny mysteries that will form a larger, intricate web of the characters' pasts and presents colliding. Despite the agonizing pace, it is jam-packed with psychological aggression as each character is haunted by the whispers of the secrets they have buried deep down. So, by the time the action truly explodes, our nerves are ripe for the taking, and we get the jaw-dropping catharsis we desperately needed.

By prioritizing the characters' mental landscape, The Innocent is timeless in its premise; nearly everyone knows what it is like to be haunted by an errant decision. From Mat trying to navigate life after prison to Olivia searching for closure after a certain choice she made, their guilt and fear are something anyone can empathize with, even as darker aspects of the story sneak in. Throw in some murder, sex cults, and blackmail, and you have an outlandish tale on the surface that is gripping enough to convey the more grounded emotions.

'The Innocent's Cast Delivers Captivating and Psychologically Tense Performances

While you can get swept away by The Innocent's chaos, Casas' unwavering performance keeps us grounded throughout the show. Mat's story mainly stems from guilt and fear that the repercussions of his past are impacting his family, and while it may initially seem one-note, you eventually appreciate his steady hand in deciphering the unfolding events around him. However, even as he unravels in a slightly predictable fashion, there are still hints of darkness in him that surface later in the show, ones that Casas handles with a deft touch. More importantly, Casas ensures we are rooting for Mat every step of the way, making the show easy to invest in.

Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft standing behind police tape in 'Run Away.'

Next to Casas are the powerhouse performances by Garrido and Jiménez, who hold all the intrigue in the story. They are utterly magnetic as they confront the atrocities in their characters' pasts while navigating the mayhem that ensues, both delivering emotional performances that contribute to the timeless nature of the show. If Casas is our rock, then Garrido and Jiménez are the waves that crash onto the shore and leave a psychologically fraught portrait in their wake. Together, they demand our attention throughout The Innocent, making the world effortless to get lost in.

The Innocent is arguably one of Coben's strongest projects, one that is criminally forgotten despite being praised by critics. By changing tack and prioritizing characters over twists, the miniseries delivers a timeless viewing experience in how it represents the finnicky nature of the ripple effect and its endless consequences. With mesmerizing performers at the forefront to convey these character studies, The Innocent stands out among its thriller peers and captivates us in a cat-and-mouse chase for the truth.