Fans around the world have been asking, where was Run Away filmed? The question has taken over social media since Netflix released the hit thriller series Run Away in 2024. Viewers were captivated not only by its intense mystery and emotional storytelling but also by its striking visual setting — a mix of quiet suburbs, shadowy city streets, and haunting countryside.
As of 2026, the filming details are officially confirmed: Run Away was filmed primarily in Manchester, England, with additional scenes shot in Cheshire and Merseyside. The show’s realistic look and gritty tone were achieved through real-world locations across Northern England that perfectly captured the essence of Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel.
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About the Series Run Away
Before diving into the filming locations, let’s look at what made Run Away so popular. Released globally on Netflix in late 2024, the six-part limited series is based on the 2019 novel by author Harlan Coben.
The story follows Simon Greene (played by Richard Armitage), a successful man whose world collapses after he discovers his missing daughter living among dangerous strangers. His desperate search for answers takes him into a world of lies, crime, and heartbreak.
Produced by Quay Street Productions for Netflix, the series was directed by Lindy Heymann and produced by Nicola Shindler, known for other Coben adaptations like Stay Close and Fool Me Once.
Critics praised Run Away for its performances, pacing, and visual storytelling — much of which came down to the real-life locations used throughout filming.
Manchester: The Heart of Run Away’s Filming
The city of Manchester, England served as the main filming base for Run Away. Its combination of industrial heritage, modern skylines, and atmospheric streets made it a perfect setting for the series’ tense and emotional tone.
Filming took place in several well-known Manchester neighborhoods, each chosen for its distinct look:
- Northern Quarter:
Often used in TV and film for its gritty, urban charm, this area stood in for parts of London in the series. Many of the scenes showing Simon searching through crowded streets were shot here. - Castlefield:
With its canals, red-brick bridges, and converted warehouses, Castlefield added depth to chase scenes and outdoor sequences. - Deansgate:
This upscale commercial district doubled as Simon’s professional world, representing his structured life before everything falls apart.
Manchester’s architectural diversity allowed the crew to film everything — from luxury apartments to abandoned alleyways — without leaving the city.
Cheshire: The Greene Family’s Hometown
For the quieter, suburban scenes, filming moved south to Cheshire, a scenic county just outside Manchester. Cheshire’s leafy suburbs and countryside provided the perfect contrast to the show’s darker city settings.
Key Cheshire filming locations included:
- Alderley Edge:
The Greene family’s home was filmed in this prestigious village, known for its beautiful houses and serene surroundings. - Wilmslow:
Used for several of the show’s early scenes, Wilmslow offered cozy cafés and park locations that appear before Simon’s life begins to unravel. - Macclesfield:
A smaller Cheshire town used for neighborhood exteriors and community moments that highlight Simon’s personal struggles.
These peaceful areas helped emphasize the emotional core of the story — a family torn apart amid the calm of suburbia.
Merseyside: The Thriller’s Most Dramatic Moments
To add scale and intensity to the story, production also took place across Merseyside, near Liverpool.
The Wirral Peninsula was used for some of the series’ most suspenseful sequences. Its open landscapes and deserted coastlines created a sense of isolation that perfectly matched the story’s tension.
Liverpool City Centre also appears briefly in the show, with shots of its skyline and waterfront helping to expand the world beyond Manchester.
Studio Filming at Space Studios Manchester
While Run Away made great use of real locations, many interior scenes were filmed at Space Studios Manchester, one of the U.K.’s leading film facilities.
Located in West Gorton, this studio features six sound stages and full production infrastructure. The crew used it for indoor scenes such as:
- Simon Greene’s office sequences
- Police interrogation rooms
- Apartment interiors and safe house scenes
Using Space Studios allowed the production team to control lighting, sound, and weather conditions while maintaining a consistent visual tone.
Filming Schedule and Production Details
Production for Run Away ran from April 2024 to June 2024. The series was produced by Nicola Shindler and Quay Street Productions, a frequent partner of Netflix for its Harlan Coben projects.
The series reunited Richard Armitage with Netflix and Harlan Coben, following their previous collaborations on The Stranger and Stay Close. Armitage praised Manchester during interviews, calling it “a city that looks cinematic from every angle.”
Director Lindy Heymann also highlighted how the city’s variety of textures — modern glass buildings beside Victorian stone — mirrored the story’s dual themes of order and chaos.
Why Manchester Was Chosen for Run Away
Manchester has become a go-to destination for international productions, and Run Away is a great example of why.
Here’s why the city was selected:
- Versatility: Its mix of industrial, suburban, and modern architecture allowed filmmakers to recreate multiple settings within a short distance.
- Production Support: The Screen Manchester agency helped with permits and logistics, ensuring smooth location access.
- Local Talent: The region has an experienced film workforce, from camera operators to costume designers.
- Tax Benefits: The U.K. offers financial incentives for international productions, making filming more cost-efficient.
The production team praised Manchester for being both practical and visually rich, saying the city “felt like a character in the story.”
Famous Locations Seen in the Series
Several real-life spots in Northern England stand out throughout Run Away. Fans who recognize these places can actually visit them today:
- Platt Fields Park (Manchester): Used in Episode 1 for the emotional scene where Simon first spots his missing daughter.
- Stevenson Square (Northern Quarter): The location of one of Simon’s tense confrontations, filmed among the area’s real cafés and murals.
- Old Granada Studios (Manchester): Its exterior doubled as a police station during key investigation scenes.
- Stockport (Greater Manchester): The derelict housing site shown in the middle episodes was filmed here.
- Wirral Coastline (Merseyside): The dramatic final scene was shot here, symbolizing both isolation and closure.
Each location added authenticity, grounding the show’s thriller elements in a believable, recognizable world.
The Visual Style of Run Away
The look and feel of Run Away are a major part of its appeal. Cinematographer Ben Smithard used handheld cameras and natural light to create realism, allowing the emotions of each scene to stand out.
The color palette changes throughout the series to reflect Simon’s mental state:
- Warm tones in the family home represent love and normalcy.
- Cool blues and greys dominate as the story turns darker.
- Muted lighting in urban scenes adds suspense and unease.
This visual storytelling helped turn real locations like Manchester’s streets and Cheshire’s homes into cinematic backdrops that feel alive.
Impact on Local Communities
Filming Run Away brought attention and economic benefits to the North West region. During the shoot, local businesses in Manchester and Cheshire saw increased activity as the production team booked hotels, restaurants, and local transportation.
Residents who spotted the cast during filming — especially Richard Armitage, Adeel Akhtar, and Jo Joyner — often shared photos on social media, adding to the show’s buzz before release.
Local tourism boards have since included Run Away filming sites in their “TV and Film Trails,” encouraging visitors to explore where their favorite Netflix scenes were shot.
Netflix’s Harlan Coben Universe in the U.K.
Run Away is part of a growing list of Harlan Coben adaptations filmed in the U.K. under Netflix’s ongoing partnership with the author. Each production uses real British locations to bring his suspenseful novels to life:
- The Stranger (2020): Filmed in Stockport and Bolton.
- Stay Close (2021): Shot in Blackpool and Manchester.
- Fool Me Once (2024): Also filmed in Manchester and Cheshire.
Together, these shows have made Northern England a thriving hub for high-quality television thrillers.
Run Away’s Reception and Legacy
After its global release in late 2024, Run Away became one of Netflix’s top 10 shows in more than 40 countries. Viewers praised its storytelling and the authenticity of its locations, noting that the northern English setting added depth and realism to the story.
The success of Run Away also reinforced Netflix’s investment in regional British productions, proving that gripping stories don’t have to rely on London backdrops to reach international audiences.
Summary of Filming Locations
Here’s a breakdown of where Run Away was filmed:
| Region | Key Locations | Purpose in Series |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Northern Quarter, Castlefield, Deansgate | Urban and city chase scenes |
| Cheshire | Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Macclesfield | Family home and suburban life |
| Merseyside | Wirral Peninsula, Liverpool | Coastal and final episode scenes |
| Space Studios Manchester | Indoor sets and offices | Controlled interior filming |
Each area played a vital role in bringing Harlan Coben’s world to life — from Manchester’s bustling streets to Cheshire’s quiet beauty and Merseyside’s haunting coastlines.
So, where was Run Away filmed?
It was shot across Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside in England, with studio work completed at Space Studios Manchester. These real-world locations gave the series its raw emotional power and visual authenticity, turning a bestselling novel into one of Netflix’s most visually stunning thrillers.
If you ever visit the U.K., many of the filming locations are open to the public — perfect for fans who want to experience the world of Run Away firsthand.