Harlan Coben is once again showing why he’s one of the best when it comes to weaving suspense into the small screen. The bestselling author has confirmed that his 2023 thriller, I Will Find You, is heading for a Netflix adaptation, and fans are already buzzing about what could be next. While the show will follow the main storyline, Coben has revealed plans for a potential spinoff that focuses on two characters who barely got a look-in in the novel, promising to dig deep into their backstories and motivations.

The novel, which has captivated readers with its tense, edge-of-your-seat plot, follows David, played by Sam Worthington in the upcoming series, who escapes from prison in a desperate attempt to locate his son, Matthew. David is accused of killing Matthew five years earlier, but the truth is far murkier. The story takes a twist when Rachel, his former sister-in-law, played by Britt Lower, turns up with a lead on Matthew’s whereabouts. As David navigates the dangerous path to uncover his son’s location, he must also convince those around him of his innocence, balancing family loyalty with the need for justice.

For Coben, adapting the book into a television series has provided a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of his characters beyond what the pages could convey. The author, who also serves as an executive producer, explained to PEOPLE that one of the biggest challenges was ensuring that every character’s actions felt authentic while maintaining the suspense that drives the story. He talked about the careful balance required in revealing details at the right pace: “Which one are you gonna reveal first that doesn’t necessarily set all the dominoes off too quickly? Each person has to make sense in their own way. Each has to have their own story.”

While David remains at the center of the plot, some of the smaller roles have been given far more room to breathe in the adaptation. One such character is Lenny, David’s father, portrayed by Hugh Thompson. In the novel, Lenny doesn’t have a huge presence, but on screen, Coben has allowed him to play a much more significant role. Lenny is a former Boston Police Department detective, and his close friendship with Philip Mackenzie, the warden of Briggs Penitentiary played by Peter Outerbridge, becomes a focal point of the series. Their dynamic offers a fresh lens through which the story can unfold, providing new layers of tension and intrigue.

Coben has hinted that this dynamic could even pave the way for a spinoff series. He shared that he would love to explore the early careers of Lenny and Philip as young cops patrolling the streets of Revere, Massachusetts, offering fans a glimpse at their formative years and the experiences that shaped the men they become. “I wouldn’t mind spinning him off to find out. I’d like to see Phillip and Lenny as younger cops on the beat of Revere, Massachusetts,” he said, emphasizing how much he enjoys giving every character their own narrative thread.

The process of adapting a novel to the small screen, Coben explains, is never straightforward. There’s a lot of trial and error, and constant back-and-forth between the author and showrunner Robert Hull. “A lot of it is just Robbie calling me and me calling Robbie, and writing the script. It’s ugly. I say this about a novel, but it’s true of a TV show too,” Coben admitted. His metaphor comparing a novel to a sausage—where the end product is enjoyable, but the making of it is messy—aptly describes the challenges of screen adaptation.

Despite the difficulties, Coben has a long track record of successful adaptations, with thirteen of his novels already brought to the screen. Titles like Hold Tight, Run Away, Fool Me Once, and Safe have all found new life on television, demonstrating his skill at transforming page-turners into gripping visual narratives. His experience ensures that I Will Find You not only captures the tension and suspense of the book but also expands the world in ways that the original story could only hint at.

By focusing on supporting characters and exploring their complexities, Coben is creating a richer tapestry of storytelling. Lenny and Philip’s relationship, their past, and the choices that shaped them offer viewers a fresh angle on the main plot, turning minor figures into compelling characters in their own right. Coben’s approach underscores his belief that every character deserves a story that makes sense on its own, yet interweaves seamlessly with the larger narrative.

Fans of I Will Find You can expect the Netflix series to maintain the novel’s trademark tension while providing new insights into characters who were previously on the sidelines. With Coben personally involved in the adaptation, and a potential spinoff in the works, audiences are in for a thrilling ride. The series promises to explore loyalty, morality, and the lengths a parent will go to for their child, all while peeling back the layers of characters who may have seemed secondary but are, in fact, full of surprises.

For Coben, this is the kind of storytelling he thrives on: complex characters, intricate plots, and a universe where every action has consequences. The combination of his intricate plotting and the freedom that a visual adaptation provides means that fans will get to experience I Will Find You in a richer, more nuanced way. Whether it’s following David’s desperate quest or exploring the hidden lives of Lenny and Philip, there’s plenty to keep audiences hooked from episode one.

With Coben’s proven track record and the added dimension of exploring untold stories, the adaptation of I Will Find You is shaping up to be a must-watch series, and the hinted spinoff could offer even more surprises. Viewers can expect suspense, emotional depth, and the kind of storytelling that keeps them guessing until the very end. It’s clear that, for Harlan Coben, the story doesn’t stop with the main characters—it’s just the beginning.