Harlan Coben on Unexpected Changes in “I Will Find You”
I Will Find You author Harlan Coben shared insights on the Netflix adaptation of his book, noting significant changes and twists.
“I’ll give you the emotional answer,” Coben, 64, told Us Weekly exclusively about his experience. “When I first step onto the set and see Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, I think to myself, ‘I had this small idea in my home in New Jersey, and now all these talented people are going to bring it to life.’”
Coben expressed his joy with the television adaptation, sharing how surreal it feels to see his vision come to fruition.
“Netflix pushed a button, and it’s available in 190 countries and over 300 million households,” he noted. “I still get emotional thinking about it. I feel incredibly fortunate, and it feels special—I don’t want to let anyone down, so we put in a lot of effort to make it right.”
The author also shared his favorite change, stating, “I think the characters Max and Sarah differ from the book, as does Adam. I appreciate what we’ve done with them.”
I Will Find You, now streaming, follows David Burroughs (Worthington), falsely imprisoned for his son’s murder, who later learns his son may still be alive. Along with Worthington, Lower, and Ventimiglia, the cast includes Erin Richards, Jonathan Tucker, and Madeleine Stowe, with Clancy Brown, Logan Browning, and Vas Saranga rounding out the ensemble.
“Our biggest challenge was also our greatest asset,” creator Robert Hull recounted to Us. “From the start, Harlan and I wanted to film in authentic locations rather than building many sets.”
He continued: “We shot on real streets, with actual relocations, genuine stunts, and real wirework. Even with visual effects, nothing can compare to placing a brilliant actor in a real setting and letting them breathe life into it. Once you achieve that, your work is nearly done.”
Hull also discussed how they adapted the novel for the screen, saying, “First and foremost, I’m a custodian of the book and a fan of Harlan’s work. The essence is preserved, and the show’s heart remains intact if you read the novel.”
It was crucial for the creative team to adapt as necessary.
“That being said, beyond the premise, we arrive there through a completely different approach,” Hull concluded. “So the excitement is in taking his story and exploring new ways to tell it.”
I Will Find You is now available for streaming on Netflix.
