Fool Me Once - Netflix - Harlan Coben

[tennissquare]

Anyone starting this today? It's with Michelle Keegan. 8 Episodes.

It was good for what it was if you can ignore the plot holes and at times clunky dialogue! It’s not winning any awards but still enjoyable, imo. There was an overriding feeling of it being set in Britain but not feeling particularly culturally British which was slightly jarring, but then I found out the book is actually set in America. I wish it had been adapted slightly as there was a definite disconnect.

Michelle Keegan was competent enough but agree with a pp that another actor could’ve really elevated the role. Someone like Sarah Greene, perhaps. Adeel Akhtar was the stand out for me - he played Kierce beautifully. A hugely talented actor.

Agree that Adeel as Kierce was great, bravo

Just finished binging it. It was as batshit as all the other HC dramas but it was a few hours of escapist fun on a wet dreary January weekend, once I suspended disbelief and mentally tarmacked over the plotholes.

I think the pay is so good, they sometimes get the type of actor who would not normally consider this sort of mid range crime drama. Adeel Akhtar acted the rest of them off the screen. Same with the one Cush Jumbo was in.

MK said on Graham Norton (that was filmed last Thursday) that the show was rated number 1 on Netflix in 28 countries so it's great money for the actors and whether it is a realistic portrayal of the U.K. or not isn't a priority for the production team.

If they're paying such great money then why can they do no better than a former Coronation Street actress for the lead role? The only big name is Joanna Lumley. Surely they would have a better cast if they were paying out big bucks?

Ooof tough crowd

@Greeksummer yes, in other haryana coben series,they all live in gated communities which exist but they feel foreign which jars with the fact that actors are British. It's done on purpose though, the houses most British people live in don't suit their status. Most British people are watching something wondering "how do a nurse and teacher afford a red brick victorian semi on a tree lined Avenue while Americans are watching the same show thinking "their tiny house is poky, they must be so poor" so, it must be hard for production to get it right for all audiences

If you look through the cast lists for the previous HC loads of well known actors have already taken a part - Marc warren, Sarah Parish, James nesbitt, Shaun Dooley, Siobhan Finneran, Dervla Kirwan, Anthony Head etc

Well-known TV actors in Britain and Ireland, yes. But not big names internationally. I'm not sure why people think Netflix is paying out massive salaries for these series.

@ChanelNo19EDT Yes! There was one UK set series that was based around a group of school friends who had witnessed/been part of a crime as teens.

They were all mid ranking professionals - teachers, police officers, small town solicitors etc.. but somehow lived in massive houses in an exclusive gated community with private security patrols (the private security was integral to the plot if I recall correctly).

Yes, he absolutely is. I say that every time I see him in anything. Looked even more like his dad in Happy Valley, if that is even possible!

That, below, was meant to be a reply to the pp who said Joe Armstrong is the absolute double of his father. Don't know why it didn't attach.

This is typical for most TV series. The characters always live in chic, spotless homes they could never afford in real life.

You made the right decision!

Haha I said the exact same thing to my husband 😂

I'm on Episode 1 becuz of MN threads,I thought I'd give it a try.

Teen DSs seem to like it, is only reason it's still on.
"Bloody donkeys !" line they liked.

Adeel Adktar is the only highlight for me, so far.
Plot so predictable, and that's from me who watches very little tv & usually don't see any plot developments before they happen.

Oh wait, Maia is good at sexual assault (pantsing the coach). Who knew, right?

Ho hum.

Will read the thread now for all spoilers to find something I like.

I liked it - I do think it is pointless looking for every unrealistic element. Yes, there are lots but we don't watch this sort of stuff for realism, surely!

Lots of red herrings, far fetched coincidences and odd behaviour but what fun would it be without that.

I agree, the military stuff should have been managed a lot better, though, just out of respect. Poetic licence is fine but that bit was translated from USA to UK very badly.

Some pretty bad acting too in places but I feel like a cow for saying that because I couldn't do better (but then am not paid to!).

We're on episode 6. DH enjoying it but I can't get past MK's terrible wooden acting. She's had so much filler that it's made the tissue under her skin go funny. It's very distracting. She has about 2 facial expressions... confused and more confused.

She ruined Our Girl for me, and I really don't get how she got the role of another military character tbh.

I haven't really enjoyed any of the HC dramatisations tbh... they're all too long and with wild gaping plot holes. The books I've read are so much better... just don't think they translate into TV well.

https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/tv/netflix-fool-me-once-shane-ending-explained-291243-20240106

Haha, I came to the thread having finished the series last night to ask wtf the Shane stuff was all about.

She's such a bad actress god love her Michelle.
Now Joanna Lumley?
I love her. She's just a fabulous woman.

I remember that one. A group of old school friends all living on the same street, gated community, their children attending the same school, might have worked in small town America but not here.

I've not read the thread.
I've just finished it.

Can someones tell me who made her car alarm go off at night please and why?. She steps outside to turn off the alarm.

It's called Five and it's on sky. The best Harlan Coben film for sure!!!