EXCLUSIVE: Almost a decade and 11 series into Netflix and Harlan Coben‘s partnership, the network has extended its overall deal with the international bestselling author. The new renewal comes as Netflix has greenlighted its highest profile Harlan Coben series yet, Myron Bolitar, a drama inspired by his signature collection of novels.
The drama is from Emmy winner David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and Kyle Long (Suits) who are writing, executive producing and co-showrunning. In it, after an injury ends his NBA dreams, Myron Bolitar reinvents himself as a sports agent — using charm, smarts, and a ruthless partner to navigate the high-stakes and dirty world of sports, where saving his clients often means risking himself.
Greg Yaitaines, who directed half of the episodes of another Kelley series adaptation of a well known thriller novel, Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, will direct multiple episodes and will executive produce Myron Bolitar. Also executive producing are Kelley and Matthew Tinker (Big Little Lies, Presumed Innocent) for David E. Kelley Prods., Coben for Final Twist Productions and Rick Muirragui (Suits).
Getting a Myron Bolitar series off the ground has been a top priority for Netflix since the streamer in 2022 extended its original overall deal with Coben that had included 14 of his books to adds 12 more titles: his 11-book Myron Bolitar series and offshoot novel Win. Kelley boarded the project more than a year ago.
(L-R) Kyle Long, Greg Yaitanes
Getty Images/Shaya Asgharnia
“What an honor — not to mention, great fun — it is to partner up at Netflix with legend David E. Kelley and his remarkable team on this exciting new series,” Coben said. “The Myron Bolitar books mean a great deal to me, and I’m thrilled to have such a talented and inspired group bringing them to life.”
Coben has been protective of Myron Bolitar. He previously told Deadline that “Myron Bolitar is dear to my heart,” calling the books “my most prized possession” “one of the properties I’ve probably been a little bit more precious about.”
Netflix’s deal with Coben has yielded such hits as the 2024 limited series Fool Me Once, which landed on Netflix’s Most Popular English-language series at the time of its release, Safe, The Woods, The Innocent, Gone for Good, Stay Close, Hold Tight, The Stranger, Missing You, Just One Look, and Caught. Recent crime thriller Run Away debuted at #1 on Netflix’s Top 10 during its debut week in January. Coming up is I Will Find You, Netflix’s first U.S.-based Coben adaptation, starring Sam Worthington.
“After a decade and 11 series together, we’re honored that Harlan Coben has entrusted Netflix with his most personal and iconic character, Myron Bolitar,” said Jinny Howe, Head of Scripted Series, U.S. and Canada. “Bringing this story to the screen has been a big priority for us, and we knew that finding the right creative partners was essential. It’s been a dream to collaborate with David E. Kelley – a true master of the genre, and the talented Kyle Long on this series. This is a major milestone for our partnership, and we look forward to many more years of working together.”
Myron Bolitar marks David E. Kelley’s latest series for Netflix, following Anatomy of a Scandal, A Man in Full, and The Lincoln Lawyer, an adaptation of Michael Connelly’s books, which is in production on its fifth season in Los Angeles.
David E. Kelley Prods’ slate also includes Apple TV’s new comedy series Margo’s Got Money Troubles and the Emmy-nominated Presumed Innocent, which just wrapped its second season as well as HBO’s Emmy-winning series Big Little Lies, which is gearing up for Season 3.
Coben is repped by UTA and Gendler Kelly Cunningham. Kelley is repped by CAA and Gendler Kelly Cunningham. Long is repped by WME, TFC Management and Hansen Jacobson Teller. Muirragui is repped by UTA, Kaplan Perrone and Hanson Jacobson Teller.
