Fool Me Once (TV series) explained

Genre:Thriller
Theme Music Composer:David Buckley
Luke Richards[1]
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Episodes:8
Producer:Jessica Taylor
Director:David Moore
Nimer Rashed
Runtime:35–55 minutes
Network:Netflix

Fool Me Once is a British thriller television series, produced by Quay Street Productions for Netflix. It was adapted by Danny Brocklehurst from Harlan Coben's 2016 novel of the same name. It features Michelle Keegan, Adeel Akhtar, Dino Fetscher, Richard Armitage and Joanna Lumley.

It premiered on Netflix on 1 January 2024. As of 31 March 2024, it is the seventh-most viewed English language Netflix series of all time with 98.2 million viewers and 630 million hours watched.[2]

Synopsis

Following the murder of her husband Joe Burkett, Maya Stern is given a nanny cam by her friend Eva Finn to watch over her daughter, Lily. However, after watching the camera footage, she sees Joe, who was presumed dead, visiting their daughter. Meanwhile, Abby and Daniel, her niece and nephew, seek to find the truth about the murder of their mother, Claire Walker, and the possible connections between both cases.[3]

Production

Development

The series is set in the United Kingdom as opposed to the American setting of the novel. Coben, who wrote the original novel, was an executive producer on the show. It is one of several adaptations of Coben's work by Netflix.[4] Danny Brocklehurst was head writer and executive producer, and Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee were executive producers via Quay Street Productions. The episodes were directed by David Moore and Nimer Rashed.[5]

Filming

Filming began in Manchester, England, in February 2023,[6] and other locations in the northwest,[7] with additional filming in Spain. Production wrapped in August 2023.[8]

Release

The series has been available worldwide on Netflix since 1 January 2024.[9] Eight episodes were released.

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 69% approval rating with an average rating of 5.3/10, based on 16 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Fool Me Once reliance on twists might be too much a turnoff for some to check it out twice, but game performances by Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley ensure that there'll be no shame for those who stick around".[10] Within its first week, it was watched by over 37.1 million Netflix accounts with 238,200,000 hours watched, one of the largest debuts of Netflix. All episodes appeared in the BARB Top 50 most viewed programmes of the week, with the opening episode attracting 6.34 million viewers, making the Top 10.[11]

Keegan was nominated for Drama Performance with the show nominated for New Drama at the 29th National Television Awards.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: David Buckley & Luke Richards Scoring Netflix's 'Fool Me Once' . . 12 December 2023 . filmmusicreporter.com . Film Music Reporter . 12 December 2023.
  2. Web site: Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows on Netflix of All Time . 2024-02-08 . www.netflix.com.
  3. Web site: Michelle Keegan leads Netflix's Harlan Coben adaptation Fool Me Once . Craig . David . 20 February 2023 . radiotimes.com . Radio Times . 21 February 2023.
  4. Web site: Netflix Adapting Harlan Coben's 'Fool Me Once' With Star Michelle Keegan . Oganesyan . Natalie . 20 February 2023 . thewrap.com . The Wrap . 21 February 2023.
  5. Web site: 'Fool Me Once' Adaptation in the Works With Richard Armitage & Michelle Keegan to Star . Klawans . Justin . 20 February 2023 . collider.com . Collider . 21 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Our Girl's Michelle Keegan announced for new Netflix thriller series . Lewis . George . 20 February 2023 . digitalspy.com . Digital Spy . 21 February 2023.
  7. Web site: Richard Armitage, Michelle Keegan, Joanna Lumley Lead Cast of New Netflix Series 'Fool Me Once' . Yossman . K. J. . 21 February 2023 . variety.com . Variety . 21 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Michelle Keegan thriller Fool Me Once wraps production in the UK . Rajput . Priyanca . 1 August 2023 . kftv.com . KFTV . 5 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Michelle Keegan says 'finally the secret's out' as she makes career announcement . Nisbet . Megan . 20 February 2023 . walesonline.co.uk . Wales Online . 21 February 2023.
  10. fool_me_once. Fool Me Once. tv. 1. 24 May 2024. y.
  11. Web site: Most Viewed Programmes . . 15 January 2024 . barb.co.uk. 16 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Mr Bates vs the Post Office and Baby Reindeer nominated for NTAs. BBC News. 20 August 2024. Bonnie. McLaren. 20 August 2024.