Coben’s most famous hero was never filmed, until now: first look at Myron Bolitar – 3DVF
Netflix has unveiled the first look at Myron Bolitar, with Colin Woodell stepping into the title role of Harlan Coben’s onetime basketball star turned sports agent, a character who has never before made it to screen across the author’s 12-book series. Filming began this summer between New York and New Jersey, with KJ Apa and Diane Guerrero rounding out the leads. The photo, taken at the show’s first table read, marks the starting point of a production Coben once called harder to let go of than any of his standalone novels.
Twelve novels, three decades and not a single frame of film or television, until Netflix finally broke the curse. The photo says it all: Colin Woodell, Harlan Coben, KJ Apa and Diane Guerrero gathered at the first table read for “Myron Bolitar,” the streamer’s newest adaptation of the author’s most stubbornly unadapted creation. Every other Coben book found its way to screens before this one did. Cameras started rolling this summer between New York and New Jersey, with David E. Kelley and Kyle Long steering the writing alongside Coben, setting up what looks like the streamer’s biggest bet yet on a character it waited years to finally get right.
A 30-year holdout finally reaches the screen
Harlan Coben has sold Netflix the rights to dozens of his thrillers, yet one character stayed off the table for decades. Myron Bolitar, the onetime NBA hopeful turned sports agent who keeps stumbling into blackmail schemes and murder investigations, anchors a 12-book series that began with “Deal breaker” in 1995 and wrapped with “Think twice” in 2024. This Netflix show marks the character’s very first screen adaptation.
Colin Woodell leads a deep bench
Netflix announced on July 6, 2026 that Colin Woodell would play the title role, with KJ Apa cast as Win Lockwood, Myron’s enigmatic best friend, and Diane Guerrero as his loyal business partner Esperanza Diaz. Jabari Banks, Chloe Fineman and Jamie McShane joined as series regulars, with Ben McKenzie recurring as a guest star. Netflix later rounded out the ensemble with 10 more actors, including Melissa Benoist and Bebe Neuwirth.
A first-look photo from the table read
Production kicked off with a first-look image released by Netflix, showing Woodell, Coben, Apa and Guerrero gathered at the series’ first table read, a photo credited to Michele K. Short. Coben’s involvement runs deeper than a cameo appearance in publicity shots. He had long resisted handing over this particular hero, admitting the character was “harder for me to let go of than the standalone” novels.
Kelley and Long behind the camera, a decade of Coben on Netflix
The author executive produces alongside David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and Kyle Long, who share writing and showrunning duties. The project extends a partnership that started in 2017, when Netflix acquired the rights to 14 of Coben’s books, a deal expanded in 2022 with 12 additional titles. Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of series for the US and Canada, said: “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.”
Cameras rolling in Myron’s home territory
Fittingly for a hero rooted in the Garden State, filming began in July 2026 in New York, with the shoot spanning both states over roughly 4 months. Netflix has yet to announce a premiere date or an episode count.