Harlan Coben has a wish list for his next Netflix adaptation, and Kate Winslet is sitting at the top of it. The bestselling author told Collider‘s Jake Hodges that he has always wanted to work with the Titanic star, admitting that Winslet is “one of my favorite actresses” and that he’d love to have her in a future Coben-Netflix project.
Coben’s admission comes ahead of the second season of Final Twist, the latest in a string of hit shows adapted from his novels. The author’s partnership with Netflix began in 2018 with Safe, and since then the streamer has released multiple adaptations of his work, each packed with recognizable names.
Coben’s Netflix Track Record
Safe was the first adaptation, starring Michael C. Hall as a paediatric surgeon and widowed father searching for his missing daughter. Hall’s fame made him the first big-name actor to sign up for a Coben-Netflix collaboration.
The momentum kept building. In 2026, Coben released two adaptations on Netflix, both featuring beloved British talent. Run Away featured James Nesbitt, Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver, and Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones. I Will Find You, based on the Edgar Award-winning 2023 novel, brought Avatar’s Sam Worthington and Severance’s Britt Lower on board to lead.
The Winslet Wish
When asked who he would most love to see in one of his adaptations, Coben was direct. He said he has always wanted to work with Kate Winslet. He thinks that would be somebody he’d love to have. She’s one of his favorite actresses. He’s a big fan of hers. If he had to pick somebody, he’d pick Kate Winslet.
Winslet, with her Oscar win for Titanic, would bring serious gravitas to any Coben project. Coben’s enthusiasm for working with her is genuine, and his desire to cast her is clear.
The Actors Already On Board
Coben’s past collaborations with Netflix have drawn consistently strong casts. Here is how the recent slate breaks down:
| Show | Lead Actor | Other Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Safe | Michael C. Hall | — |
| Run Away | — | James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, Ruth Jones |
| I Will Find You | Sam Worthington, Britt Lower | — |
Hall’s presence in Safe established the pattern. Worthington and Lower led I Will Find You.
The Order of Coben’s Netflix Adaptations
- Safe (2018) — Michael C. Hall
- Run Away (2026) — James Nesbitt, Minnie Driver, Ruth Jones
- I Will Find You (2026) — Sam Worthington, Britt Lower
The Question of Fit
Coben has made his position clear. He has described Winslet as one of his favorite actresses, and his enthusiasm for working with her is genuine.
For now, the wish is on the record.
Source material: “Netflix’s Thriller Hitmaker Officially Wants ‘Mare of Easttown’ Star For a Future Adaptation [Exclusive],” Collider.
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