Fool Me Once is Netflix's most-watched show of 2024 so far

Former Coronation Street, Our Girl and Brassic actress Michelle Keegan delighted her fans back in 2023 by announcing her next big job, a leading role in a new Netflix drama called Fool Me Once, an adaptation from talented writer Harlan Coben.

After the series dropped on New Year's Day, the nation were hooked on the eight-part drama, and now it's been revealed the show is Netflix's most-watched series of 2024 so far.

In the first half of 2024, Fool Me Once racked up a huge 108 million views, beating the likes of Bridgeton, Baby Reindeer and One Day.

Check out the most-watched Netflix shows of 2024 so far below:

When did Fool Me Once come out?

Fool Me Once landed on 1st January 2024, a lovely treat for New Year's Day!

Bosses shared the news on social media, writing: 'Mystery King @HarlanCoben is back on 1 January with crime thriller Fool Me Once starring Michelle Keegan, Adeel Akhtar, Joanna Lumley, and (of course) Richard Armitage'.

Is there a trailer?

Yes! The full length trailer was released on Thursday 7th December, featuring Michelle Keegan, Adeel Akhtar, Joanna Lumley and Richard Armitage.

Watch the trailer below:

What is Fool Me Once?

Fool Me Once is a 2016 novel by Number 1 best-selling author Harlan Coben, and it's now been turned into an eight x 60 minute TV thriller by Netflix.

The new series has been directed by Harlan Coben, Danny Brocklehurst, Nicola Shindler, Richard Fee, with Charlotte Coben, Yemi Oyefuwa, Nina Metivier and Tom Farrelly also on board as writers.

Executive Producer Danny Brocklehurst said ahead of filming: “Following on from our smash hits The Stranger and Stay Close, Fool Me Once does not disappoint. Harlan’s books are storytelling genius and it’s great to be entrusted once more in bringing his gripping stories of life. As always with our thrillers, expect twist upon twist and an emotional roller-coaster. Plus, the cast is phenomenal – audiences are in for a treat!”

Check out the first look photos below:

What is Fool Me Once about?

According to Netflix, Fool Me Once: 'Follows Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan) who is trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of her husband, Joe (Richard Armitage). But when Maya installs a nanny-cam to keep an eye on her young daughter, she is shocked to see a man she recognises in her house. Her husband, who she thought was dead...

'Detective Sergeant Sami Kierce (Adeel Akhtar) leads the homicide investigation into Joe's death while grappling with secrets of his own. Meanwhile, Maya's niece and nephew, Abby and Daniel, are trying to find the truth about their mother's murder, several months earlier. Are the two cases connected? Fool Me Once follows these characters on a thrilling hunt for the truth that will reveal shocking secrets and change their lives forever. Joanna Lumley is Judith Burkett, Joe’s protective mother.'

Who wrote Fool Me Once?

TV drama and book fans will be aware of author Harlan Coben's work.

Netflix shows such as The Stranger, Stay Close, Safe, and Hold Tight have all previously been adapted from Harlan's novels.

Other novels by Harlan Coben include Tell No One, The Woods and Six Years.

Speaking about the news, Harlan said: "I’m thrilled and honoured to once again be collaborating with my uber-talented partners Danny, Nicola and Richard. ‘Fool Me Once’ will be our fourth Netflix series following ‘Safe,’ ‘The Stranger’ and ‘Stay Close’ together, and man, it never gets old! ‘Fool Me Once’ is a pulse-pounder -- a shocking story of how secrets and deceit have the power to bring people together while simultaneously tearing them apart. I can’t wait to see how this dream cast brings these characters to life.”

Check out all of the Harlan Coben dramas on Netflix:

Who is in the cast of Fool Me Once?

It's a stellar cast for the new adaptation! Not only is Michelle Keegan playing the lead role of Maya Stern, Joanna Lumley will star as Judith Burkett, and Richard Armitage will play Maya's husband Joe.

See the full cast below:

Michelle Keegan

Adeel Akhtar

Richard Armitage

Joanna Lumley

Emmett J. Scanlan

Dino Fetscher

Marcus Garvey

Hattie Morahan

James Northcote

Dänya Griver

Daniel Burt

Adelle Leonce

Natalia Kostrzewa

Laura Gibbons

Where was Fool Me Once filmed?

Michelle reportedly signed a six-figure deal to appear in the new thriller, and was spotted on set in Manchester in 2023 as filming kicked off.

Fool Me Once relocated the story from the US to the UK, with filming taking place in Manchester and the Northwest of England.

How can I watch Fool Me Once?

Fool Me Once is available now on Netflix.

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• michelle keegan
• netflix