Since its debut on January 1, Fool Me Once has been a massive success on Netflix. However, many viewers are curious to know if the show is based on a true story. Featuring a talented cast including Michelle Keegan, Richard Armitage, Joanna Lumley, Adeel Akhtar, and Emmett J. Scanlon, this crime thriller unfolds over eight gripping episodes.
The show received negative reviews, but that hasn’t stopped Fool Me Once from making the Netflix Top 10 for the last week.
So is the plot – about betrayal and murder – based on a true story?
Is Fool Me Once based on a true story?
No, Fool Me Once is not based on a true story. The show is adapted from a novel by Harlan Coben, which was published in 2016.
The book's official synopsis is: "After returning home from the war, former special ops pilot Maya is shocked to see her two-year-old daughter playing with her husband, Joe, who was brutally murdered two weeks earlier, captured by her nanny cam. The central question in this mystery is whether one can believe everything they see with their own eyes, even when they want to desperately. To uncover the truth, Maya must confront her own deep secrets and deceit from her past before facing the unbelievable truth about her husband and herself."
The TV adaptation retains much of the story but changes the setting from the US to the UK, with Fool Me Once set to be filmed in Manchester in 2023.
More Harlan Coben on Netflix
Renowned for his prolificacy in writing mysteries, Harlan Coben entered into a multi-year agreement with Netflix in 2018 to adapt his literary works, a deal that was later extended in 2022. The outcome of this collaboration has been the creation of multiple adaptations of his novels and stories available for streaming on the platform.
The Stranger (UK)
The Woods (Poland)
The Innocent (Spain)
Gone For Good (France)
Stay Close (UK)
Hold Tight (Poland)
Title: Fool Me Once (UK)
Netflix is likely to adapt the Myton Bolitar novels next. Additionally, Coben has inked a deal with Amazon Studios to adapt his first Mickey Bolitar novel, Shelter. The resulting series is set to premiere on screens in August 2023.
Fool Me Once is available to stream on Netflix now, and you can read more about the series below:
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting content to watch on Netflix. When I heard about Fool Me Once, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of a woman discovering that her husband, who was brutally murdered, is alive and well. The show's dark and suspenseful atmosphere kept me hooked from the very first episode, and I couldn't wait to see how the mystery would unfold.
However, I was disappointed to learn that Fool Me Once is not based on a true story. While I understand that the show is an adaptation of a novel by Harlan Coben, I still can't help but feel a sense of letdown. I think that the show would have been even more impactful if it had been based on real events, as it would have added an extra layer of realism and urgency to the story.