In British mystery series Stay Close, a shady cast of characters tries to move on from a nearly two-decades-old missing-persons mystery... and are thrown back together when a new disappearance echoes the suspicious circumstances of the past.
The story is the latest adaptation of Harlan Coben’s work. (The author, who signed a multi-year pact with Netflix, also had his stories The Woods, The Innocent, The Stranger and Gone For Good turned into miniseries.)
But how does the new crime drama stack up against Coben’s 2012 novel of the same name? Ahead, we break down the key characters and how they appeared in the original book.
Cush Jumbo as Megan Pierce
Franchise History: Megan appears in the TV series and the book, though she reveals in the book that her birth name is Maygin. Both Megans used the name Cassie while dancing at Vipers. The Character: Megan has spent the past 17 years rebuilding her life: a husband-to-be, kids, a nice house. But when a man with potential ties to another missing-person case from — you guessed it —17 years ago disappears, her shiny new life begins to unravel. The Performer: Jumbo is a TV vet, having appeared in programs like Getting On, The Beast Must Die, The Good Wife and The Good Fight. Follow Jumbo on Instagram.
James Nesbitt as Michael Broome
Franchise History: Michael appears in the series and the book. The Character: Broome is a dedicated detective who hasn’t been able to let go of Stewart Green’s unsolved disappearance 17 years earlier. So when a new man — Carlton Flynn — similarly goes missing, Broome throws himself into the new case. The Performer: Nesbitt has appeared in movies great and small, including The Hobbit, Waking Ned Devine and Wild About Harry, as well as TV shows like The Missing and Bloodlands.
Richard Armitage as Ray Levine
Franchise History: Ray is in the series and the book. The Character: Ray is a photographer for the absurdly wealthy, aka those who have money to hire their own paparazzi, even though they’re not actually famous enough for there to be a demand for the pictures. He also knew Megan back in her Cassie days, and may have photographed a key piece of evidence in the Carlton Flynn case. The Performer: Armitage starred in such blockbusters as Captain America: The First Avenger, The Hobbit franchise and Ocean's Eight. His TV roles include Castlevania and Berlin Station. Follow Armitage on Instagram and Twitter.
Sarah Parish as Lorraine Griggs
Franchise History: Lorraine appears in the series and the book, but she’s introduced in an approximately 90 percent creepier way in the TV show. The Character: Lorraine was Megan’s former colleague at Vipers. Now Lorraine is determined to get Megan’s attention by doing some (gentle) stalking and claiming that Stewart is back. The Performer: Parish appeared in movies like The Wedding Date and The Holiday, as well as TV shows like Medici, Industry, Broadchurch and Mistresses. Follow Parish on Instagram.
Eddie Izzard as Harry
Franchise History: Harry is in the series and the book, though he’s considerably more coherent in the novel when he’s first introduced. The Character: Harry is a lawyer Megan knew in the past. Now, Harry is addicted to drugs, but he wants to help Megan out with her latest round of problems. The Performer: Izzard is a stand-up comedian and writer who has appeared in films like Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen and Across the Universe, as well as Netflix titles Green Eggs and Ham and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. She’s also been in TV shows The Lost Symbol, Hannibal and Powers. Follow Izzard on Instagram and Twitter.
Jo Joyner as Erin Cartwright
Franchise History: Erin appears in the series and the book, but she’s called Erin Anderson in the novel. The Character: Erin is Broome’s partner at work — and also his ex-wife. The Performer: Joyner is best known for her work in EastEnders, but she’s also appeared in shows like North & South and Ordinary Lies. Follow Joyner on Instagram and Twitter.
