In a world where safety is nothing but an illusion, Safe – the British thriller created by Harlan Coben and available on Netflix – leads viewers through an intricate web of secrets and moral dilemmas. With Michael C. Hall (known to the general public for his role in Dexter) and Amanda Abbington in the lead roles, the series has won over audiences thanks to its tense atmosphere and emotional depth. A production that shows how, even in the quietest suburbs, nothing is as it seems. [TRAILER at the bottom]
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- Original title: Safe
- Format: TV series
- Number of seasons: 1 (8 episodes)
- Genre: Thriller, Drama, Mystery
- Country of production: United Kingdom
- Year of production: 2018
- Creator: Harlan Coben
- Director: Danny Brocklehurst
- Main cast: Michael C. Hall, Amanda Abbington, Marc Warren, Audrey Fleurot
- Production: Red Production Company / Netflix
Although it is not based on one of Harlan Coben’s novels, from which numerous TV series now on Netflix have been adapted, the style of the master of thrillers and crime fiction is unmistakable. After the death of his wife, Tom Delaney (Michael C. Hall), a respected pediatric surgeon and father of two daughters, tries to rebuild his life in a gated community in a British suburb. Everything changes when his older daughter Jenny disappears after a party. The investigation soon uncovers a network of secrets hidden by neighbors, friends, and even his closest relatives. While Detective Sophie Mason (Amanda Abbington) leads the official investigation, lies, betrayals, and a shocking truth emerge that will change Tom’s life forever.
Safe blends family drama and tension, showing how appearances can be deceiving and how the past can always come back to haunt us. As the investigation progresses, Tom discovers that behind the seemingly peaceful surface lies a world of lies and betrayal. Every episode pulls the viewer deeper into a moral labyrinth where the question of how far parental protection should go becomes central. It is a story about guilt, powerlessness, and a desperate need for safety.
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The cast and characters
The cast relies on performers of great solidity and experience. Michael C. Hall, famous for his complex and tormented roles in television dramas (Dexter, Six Feet Under), convinces with a subtle and controlled performance, able to blend apparent coldness and deep sensitivity in his portrait of a father marked by grief.
Amanda Abbington, known to a wide audience for Sherlock and for a significant stage and television career, plays Detective Sophie Mason as a woman with a complicated past, whose fate becomes inexorably intertwined with that of the Delaney family.
The cast is rounded out by Marc Warren and Audrey Fleurot, both with long experience in film and television, helping to create a believable ensemble, dense with emotional tension and narrative realism.
Our review
Safe is a thriller that captivates not only because of the mystery, but also thanks to the emotional weight of the characters’ choices. Harlan Coben shows with surgical precision how thin the line is between care and obsession. Director Danny Brocklehurst maintains an impeccable narrative pace, while the cinematography emphasizes the dark atmosphere of the British suburbs. Critics have praised the series for its smart writing and the nuances in the performances: a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
The creators aimed for realism: most of the scenes were shot in real houses and streets in Manchester. Michael C. Hall personally worked on his British accent, a detail that was highly appreciated by viewers. Safe was one of Netflix’s first European productions signed by Harlan Coben, paving the way for new adaptations of his works.
Is the series based on a true story?
No, the plot is entirely fictional, although it draws on recurring themes in Coben’s work: disappearances, family secrets, and the illusion of safety. The author has stated that the idea came from observing gated communities where apparent calm hides trauma and moral compromise.
When to watch Safe on Netflix
The series Safe is available to stream in full on Netflix. It’s the ideal choice for an evening packed with suspense and reflections on how well we really know the people closest to us ► WATCH ON NETFLIX
