Some crime thrillers take their time building tension. Others give you a secret, then another, and another, until stopping after one episode becomes almost impossible.
Netflix’s The Stranger falls firmly into the second category.
The eight-part British mystery thriller, starring Richard Armitage and Siobhan Finneran, has continued to attract attention from viewers who praise its constant revelations, complicated web of secrets and increasingly tense storyline. Some fans have even compared it with Broadchurch, one of the best-known British crime dramas of recent years.
Based on Harlan Coben’s 2015 novel, The Stranger arrived on Netflix on January 30, 2020. The series was adapted primarily by Danny Brocklehurst, with Daniel O’Hara and Hannah Quinn directing.
A family secret sets everything in motion
At the centre of the story is Adam Price, played by Richard Armitage, a family man whose seemingly comfortable life is thrown into chaos after a mysterious stranger reveals a devastating secret about his wife.
Netflix’s official synopsis describes the story as a search for the truth about the people closest to Adam as a web of secrets begins to unravel.
The premise quickly expands beyond Adam’s marriage. As he searches for answers, more hidden connections and unexplained events emerge, drawing other characters into the mystery.
That expanding web is one of the elements that has made the series so appealing to fans of twist-heavy crime dramas.
Richard Armitage leads a strong cast
Armitage is joined by Siobhan Finneran, Dervla Kirwan, Jennifer Saunders, Jacob Dudman, Hannah John-Kamen, Anthony Head, Shaun Dooley, Ella-Rae Smith and Stephen Rea.
The cast is one of the show’s notable strengths, particularly because The Stranger brings together performers associated with very different kinds of television.
Jennifer Saunders, for example, takes on the dramatic role of Heidi, while Finneran plays DS Johanna Griffin. Stephen Rea and Anthony Head are also among the experienced actors contributing to the increasingly complicated mystery.
The series was produced as an eight-episode miniseries, with episodes running for roughly 42 to 51 minutes.
Armitage was also closely involved in developing Adam as a character. Screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst previously explained that the actor created an extensive backstory for the role, drawing on elements from Coben’s novel while adding new material.
That helped give Adam a history and personality that went beyond what was initially established on the page.
A Manchester-set thriller filmed across Greater Manchester
Although Coben’s original novel is set in the United States, the Netflix adaptation moved the story to the UK.
Much of the production was filmed in and around Greater Manchester, with Manchester, Bolton, Stockport and Bury among the locations used.
The fictional setting of Cedarfield was created using locations across the region. Manchester landmarks and surrounding areas feature throughout the series, while Stockport and Bolton provide several other important backdrops.
The production filmed between February 28 and June 14, 2019, according to IMDb’s production information.
The regional setting gives the series a distinctly British atmosphere while allowing the story to retain the international thriller feel of Coben’s original novel.
The mystery keeps adding new pieces
What makes The Stranger particularly suited to binge-watching is the way information is revealed.
Rather than solving one mystery before moving on to the next, the series continually introduces new questions. A revelation about one character can completely change the way another part of the story is viewed.
That approach has divided some viewers, but it has also been central to the show’s appeal among audiences who enjoy complicated mysteries and frequent twists.
One critic described it as a clever mystery thriller that holds back its secrets until the story is ready to reveal them.
Another praised the way revelations are delivered gradually, while highlighting the cast and the increasingly tense pace.
A further review described the experience of watching the various storylines come together as particularly intense.
Viewers say they couldn’t stop watching
Audience reactions have been similarly enthusiastic.
One viewer called The Stranger an “original masterpiece”, while another went even further by comparing it with Broadchurch.
Other fans have focused on the show’s ability to maintain suspense across the entire eight episodes.
One described it as a must-watch mystery, praising the way the story immediately draws viewers in and continues with twists and turns throughout the season.
Another said they simply could not stop watching, praising the filming and performances as well as the show’s entertainment value.
A Rotten Tomatoes viewer similarly described repeatedly being surprised by the revelations and said they had watched the entire season in two sittings.
An IMDb reviewer also praised the thriller’s structure, saying that each episode provides another piece of information before the separate elements finally come together by the finale.
Another fan summed up their reaction by describing the series as slick and twisted, with enough going on to keep them hooked until the end.
A binge-worthy Harlan Coben adaptation
The production also has a strong connection to the wider group of Harlan Coben adaptations made for Netflix. The Stranger was produced by Red Production Company and came from a creative team that had previously worked on Coben’s Safe.
Its eight-episode format makes it particularly easy to watch as a single mystery rather than a long-running series, with each episode pushing the story toward another revelation.
For viewers who enjoy British crime dramas built around secrets, missing information and unexpected connections, The Stranger offers plenty to unravel.
And while comparisons with Broadchurch remain a matter of personal taste, the reaction from viewers quoted above makes one thing clear: the series has made a lasting impression on fans of mystery thrillers.
The Stranger is available to stream on Netflix.
