Everything you need to know about The Stranger on Netflix - the gripping new thriller that has the nation hooked

You're going to be seriously addicted to this...

The Stranger
(Image credit: Netflix)

We all love diving in to a binge-worthy Netflix series on an evening, or during a cosy Sunday afternoon.

And what better to watch when you've got a spare couple of hours than an utterly gripping thriller/mystery, with twists and turns galore? There's a new show on Netflix that everyone seems to be talking about and, trust us, you're likely to devour it in one sitting.

Introducing - The Stranger.

It's the latest eight-part mystery series to hit the streaming service, following the lives of suburban families who lives are full of secrets and lies. The series opens with a mysterious stranger, decked out in a baseball cap, and inconspicuous clothing, sharing an explosive secret with the show's lead character.

Here's everything you need to know about The Stranger...

Who is in The Stranger?

There's a stellar cast at the helm of this new Netflix show, with the lead character Adam Price played by Richard Armitage, who you may recognise from The Hobbit, Spooks, or Captain America.

Another big name is Siobhan Finneran, who plays the town's resident police detective, Johanna Griffin. Siobhan has most famously starred in ITV's Benidorm, Downton Abbey, and Happy Valley.

The Stranger

Her best friend in the drama, Heidi Doyle, is also played by none other than Jennifer Saunders! Jennifer is of course best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous, and French and Saunders.

The rest of the cast includes Shaun Dooley (Broadchurch, Misfits), as Adam's best friend and neighbour, Doug Tripp, Anthony Head as Adam's father Ed, Dervla Kirwan as Adam's wife Corrine Price, and Hannah John-Kamen, as The Stranger.

What is The Stranger about?

Adam and Corrine Price appear to have the perfect life - a lovely house, a happy family life with their two sons, and great friends.

But the show begins with a major secret being exposed to Adam about his wife, by 'The Stranger' herself - a woman whose identity isn't known to anyone.

The Stranger

The secret revelation sets off a chain reaction of events, which continue to unfold as the series goes on. And Adam isn't the only one who's told of secret - elsewhere, his friends, children, colleagues, and others in the town are feeling the wrath of The Stranger and other secrets...

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Of course, we can't give too much away - but it's safe to say that the show comes with twists, turns, and cliff-hangers aplenty...

Who wrote The Stranger - and have they written any other TV shows?

Author Harlan Coben is the mastermind behind the series, having penned the novel it is based on, which has the same title. Harlan Coben is an America writer who most regularly writers thrillers and mysteries.

In fact, this isn't his first TV series with Netflix. Back in 2018, he and the streaming giant released 'Safe', another eight-part thriller - in 190 countries worldwide.

The Stranger

Safe centred around Tom Delaney, and widowed pediatric surgeon, and the disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter Jenny. As Tom frantically searches for his daughter, he's confronted with some disturbing truths. It's certainly another brilliant series for fans of thrillers, so add it to your list after you've watched The Stranger!

Is there going to be a season 2 of The Stranger?

Ever since The Stranger premiered at the end of January, fans have been desperate to know whether or not there will be a second season to follow the smash hit first series.

And now, Harlan Coben has finally spoken out about the idea - but sadly, it seems he's ruled it out as a possibility. He explained, "We don't think it's fair to have one of those shows where they don't give you all the answers, and you have to wait until season two before you get it."

Harlan went on to confess that he and the producers feel the first season had a 'satisfying' ending, meaning they don't necessarily need a second.

"This is a closed story," he said. "You learned all the answers by the end, and the ending is tremendously satisfying."

"Could some of the characters return to season two? Maybe, but that's not our plan. I never say never, but it's not our plan. Our plan is to give you one great, great season."

Amy Hunt

Amy Hunt is an experienced digital journalist specialising in homes, interiors and hobbies. She began her career working as the features assistant at woman&home magazine, before moving over to the digital side of the brand where she eventually became the Lifestyle Editor up until January 2022. Amy won the Digital Journalist of the Year award at the AOP Awards in 2019 for her work on womanandhome.com.