Harlan Coben revealed real reason why new Netflix series is called ‘Missing You’

After what has felt like a lifetime of anticipation, Harlan Coben's latest crime-drama has officially landed on Netflix.

Amongst the countless questions that fans of this genre - who've already rattled their way through the limited series - have been left with, however, is why the best-selling author titled his latest project Missing You.

As any prolific telly-watcher will be well aware by now, American thriller author Harlen Coben has a real talent for plot twists.

His roster of written works are littered with head-spinning motives, secret relations and stone cold realisations, many of which translate perfectly to the small screen. As such, Netflix have now produced a handful of his most popular titles, with 2023's Michelle Keegan hit Fool Me Once racking up 98.2 million viewers and 630 million hours watched just two months after it's January release.

Coben, 63, is also the genius behind the likes of Safe - released on the streaming service in 2018 and starring Michael C Hall and Amanda Abbington - The Stranger (2020) - starring Richard Armitage and Siobhán Finneran - and Stay Close (2021), with Cush Jumbo and James Nesbitt.

And kicking off 2025 with a bang, his latest five-part murder mystery Missing You landed on Netflix today (1 January), and has kept tongues wagging ever since.

The thriller stars Rosalind Eleazar as Detective Kat Donovan, whose fiancé Josh (played by Ashley Walters) disappears into thin air one day, remaining missing for 11 years.

Missing You is available to stream from New Year's Day (Netflix)

Suddenly, when scrolling through a dating app years later, however, Kat is blindsided when a profile with Josh's photos appears. Having been dragged back into the mystery of his departure, ceaseless questions arise for the detective, many of which seem to connect Josh's case to her father's own murder from years even earlier than that. Anyone else got chills?

Anyway, it's not just Kat who's been left with questions, with viewers of this big-name nail-biter not only wondering whodunnit, who why the show has been titled as such. And before you say, 'It's because Josh is missing, duh?', Harlan Coben himself has actually revealed already that this is specifically not the reason.

Apparently, the title Missing You actually derives from music.

Taking to Facebook back in 2014, following the release of his written version of the series, Coben received a special message of congratulations from English rock singer John Waite.

"Missing You (Harlan Cobens new book hits the #1 slot NYTs today! Great gig last night in Ohio. Blew it up !!!!!!" the 80s star - famed for his chart-topping single 'Missing You' - penned at the time.

Coben previously discussed the plot of his latest project (Lia Toby/Getty Images)

The writer then replied: "Yes, the title MISSING YOU came from John Waite's song. It also plays a role in the plot."

So, there you have it

During a panel press interview for the show in London earlier this year - prior to the programme's release - Coben revealed some juicy details about it.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, he said: "This is five episodes. Most of the (shows) we’ve done are eight. So it’s a little tighter story."

Well, what the author said next was an absolute warning to anyone considering turning on the flick tonight.

Coben revealed: "And I can say, I think this is the most emotional ending that I’ve experienced. When I watched episode 5, I actually cried. I think I had a little bit of a tear my eye at the end of Fool Me Once. But I think this will be our most emotional series."

But while it has all the hallmarks of a thriller, it’s ‘also a love story’.

He explained: "Really, the story between Kat and Josh is at the centre here. Also, it’s really about family."