Naman Shrestha
Based on Harlan Coben’s eponymous novel, Netflix’s ‘Run Away’ is a British mystery crime thriller series created by Coben. It revolves around a family man named Simon, who seems to have a picture-perfect life — a loving wife, a lavish home, a stable job, and adorable kids. However, his perfect life unravels when his teenage daughter, Paige, suddenly runs away from the house. After significant efforts to find her, Simon finally spots her in a public park, but she seems vulnerable and high on drugs. Despite his attempts to convince her to return home, she refuses and runs away from him. On top of that, Paige is accompanied by her boyfriend, who later turns up murdered.
As he was seen arguing with the boyfriend, Simon’s life is scrutinized by the authorities as he becomes a suspect in the murder case. While embarking on a mission to prove his innocence and find his daughter, Simon uncovers a series of dark secrets that threaten his family’s safety. Featuring stellar performances from a talented ensemble cast comprising James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones, Alfred Enoch, Tracy Ann Oberman, Ingrid Oliver, Amy Gledhill, and Annette Badland, the show takes place in the United Kingdom, with the protagonist constantly moving from one location to another in search of answers and her daughter.
Run Away Filming Locations
The shooting for ‘Run Away’ takes place across England, particularly in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, London, Kirklees, and Derbyshire. According to reports, principal photography for the debut season of the suspenseful series got underway in January 2025 and went on for six months before wrapping up in late July of the same year. The creator, Harlan Coben, developed a special fondness for England after spending a significant amount of time shooting there. He told Tudum, “When you do as many shows as we’ve done there, you really get the charm. What’s wonderful about the north of England is there’s such variety. There’s a combination of everyday and eccentric about the settings there.”
Greater Manchester, England
A major chunk of ‘Run Away’ was lensed in Greater Manchester, a landlocked metropolitan area and ceremonial county situated in North West England. In the early stages of production, the filming unit of the Harlan Coben creation was spotted in different parts of the county, especially the city of Manchester. The properties and streets in and around Main Manchester Road and A62, located in the town of Failsworth, also feature in the backdrop of multiple scenes. The neighborhood of the Northern Quarter and the area around Manchester city centre also served as prominent shooting sites.
The filming unit also reportedly took over various parts of the campus of the University of Manchester on Oxford Road, including the walkways, academic buildings, and the interiors. Various key portions were also recorded in and around Evelyn’s at 44 Tib Street and the Manchester Crown Court on Crown Square, both situated in Manchester. The shooting for ‘Run Away’ also took place outside the city of Manchester, including around Hill Street in the town of Dukinfield, Stockport Town Centre in Stockport, and The Egerton Arms at 2 Gore Street in the city of Salford. The peaceful and lush green Saddleworth Moor, situated in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park, also served as a production location for the mystery series.
Liverpool, England
Located in Merseyside county in the northwestern part of England, Liverpool also served as one of the filming locations of the show. The port city is no stranger to film and television production, having assisted in the production of Coben’s ‘Safe,’ ‘Protection,’ ‘The Ipcress File,’ ‘Tin Star,’ and several others that fall in the same vein as ‘Run Away.’ The cast and crew also visited the premises of Liverpool Hope University in Hope Park to lens some scenes.
The team particularly settled upon the Georgian Quarter, the stunning neighborhood of the city, to shoot a few sequences. Also known as Canning/Canning District, the iconic area is recognized for its spectacular Georgian architecture, reflected in its historic 18th and 19th-century facades, cobbled streets, townhouses, pubs, diners, and other notable spots that helped create a charming background for the show. Filming took place in Canning Street and Falkner Square, particularly in Falkner Square Gardens, within the Georgian Quarter.
London, England
A minor portion of the filming of the Netflix series was carried out in London, England. The production team reportedly chose several spots in the capital city of England and the UK to depict the rollercoaster ride Simon embarks upon in search of his daughter, Paige. As he moves heaven and earth to uncover the truth, familiar landmarks make an appearance in the backdrop. A world-renowned shooting destination, London has also hosted the filming of many other mystery thriller shows such as ‘Behind Her Eyes,’ ‘Devs,’ ‘And Then There Were None,’ ‘Anatomy of a Scandal,’ ‘Hostage,’ and ‘The Veil.’
Other Locations in England
For the purpose of shooting, the filming unit of ‘Run Away’ also traveled to other locations in England, including the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees. Specifically, the cast and crew members were reportedly spotted taping a few scenes near the former Great Western gastropub on Manchester Road in Marsden. The production team also set up camp in and around Thornbridge Hall, a Grade II listed building situated near Great Longstone in Derbyshire’s Derbyshire Dales.
Read More: Where Was Goodbye June Filmed? All Shooting Locations
