Meet the cast of Netflix's Stay Close, the latest Harlan Coben thriller

Jumbo plays Megan, a working mum of three; Armitage plays Ray, a failed photographer; and Bloodlands’ James Nesbitt appears as Broome, a detective obsessed by a missing person’s case.

When a figure from Megan’s past arrives on the scene and delivers some shocking news, the trio’s lives are thrown into chaos as dark secrets begin to emerge.

Cast member Jumbo explained: "Megan has three beautiful children, a slightly moody teenager, it all looks very normal and very well put together. I guess it’s very aspirational.

"It’s the kind of life that most people are trying to get to or at least aspire to. She seems a happy, content mother... but underneath, it’s already fracturing."

The Stay Close cast also includes James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage and Eddie Izzard.

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters of Netflix’s Stay Close, which arrived on Netflix on New Year’s Eve.

Cush Jumbo plays Megan

Who is Megan? To the casual observer, Megan appears to be an ordinary woman who lives with her fiancé and three children in a lavish suburban home. However, she's running from a previous life that comes back to haunt her on the night of her hen do.

Chatting to RadioTimes.com and other press about how her part in Stay Close was more of a challenge than she initially anticipated, she said: “Actually, it proved to be harder than I assumed it would be. I always find it really interesting to play a person in the past and in the present. And especially when you keep jumping between the two when you’re shooting, because you get to not just bring your backstory, but you get to actually live a backstory, and then have the past affect the present, and the present the past.

“So it was just really fun. And it meant that I probably got to work with more of the actors, which is also really fun because you’re spread out across the whole universe of the story. It is a challenge, because you’re there a lot of the time, but it was really good fun.”

What else has Cush Jumbo been in? Jumbo recently starred opposite David Tennant in Channel 4 drama Deadwater Fell, while earlier this year she was seen opposite Jared Harris in BritBox original series The Beast Must Die. Previously, she had worked in the United States in the cast of CBS legal drama The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight.

Richard Armitage plays Ray

Who is Ray? Once a promising photographer, Ray now works as a paparazzo-for-hire. His life and career fell apart after a traumatic night 17 years ago, which he still cannot fully remember or understand.

"He hasn't had anybody to guide him through," Richard Armitage told RadioTimes.com. "He's not in therapy so he hasn't been able to figure out a way to just deal with this and move on, which is part of Ray's tragedy.

"He's a pretty sad character, according to what's happened to his life and his inability to move forward, but there are glimmers of the old Ray in there which I quite like."

What else has Richard Armitage been in? Armitage is another alum of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, where he played dwarf warrior Thorin Oakenshield. His early television work includes ITV's Cold Feet and BBC One's Robin Hood, while more recent gigs include Hannibal, Castlevania and fellow Harlan Coben adaptation, The Stranger.

James Nesbitt plays Broome

Who is Broome? Broome is a police detective placed on a missing persons case. His professional partner Erin Cartwright is also his ex-wife, and although they are on good terms, that does create some awkwardness from time to time.

James Nesbitt said: "After doing Bloodlands, Broome was quite an optimistic character. I really liked the warmth of the guy. I liked his flaws. I thought he was decent. I liked the path that he was on.

"I liked his humour and his kind of Luddite tendencies in not liking the way that the world is changing but also that gnawing professionalism about him. I felt he had warmth and decency and humour but was also quite determined.

"It’s quite nice to play a character who has a bit of optimism about him!"

What else has James Nesbitt been in? Nesbitt is one of the UK's most recognisable stars, with numerous credits on high-profile film and television shows. This year, he starred in Jed Mercurio-produced thriller Bloodlands, while he also made a minor non-speaking cameo appearance in Line of Duty's sixth series. His earlier projects include Murphy's Law, Cold Feet and Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy.

Daniel Francis plays Dave Shaw

Who is Dave Shaw? Dave is Megan's fiancé and the father to her three children. They have been together for a 16 years, but she has only recently accepted his proposal of marriage.

"Although there has been a lack of clarity on the past and why Megan doesn’t want to get married, I don’t think he’s ever pushed and probed on that," explains Francis.

"He thinks, ‘We’re already doing it all.’ The first kid came early and the second kid not too long after that. So outside of the formal construct of marriage he’s got the life. They don’t need to get married to prove that they love each other."

What else has Daniel Francis been in? Francis has previously appeared in fairytale drama Once Upon A Time, as well as British indie flick Fast Girls.

Bethany Antonia plays Kayleigh Shaw

Who is Kayleigh Shaw? Kayleigh is Megan's eldest daughter, who finds herself in hot water after sneaking out to Vipers on the night of the annual carnival celebration.

Kayleigh is not featured prominently in the Stay Close novel, with her role being significantly expanded for this television adaptation, which Bethany Antonia told RadioTimes.com presented an exciting opportunity.

"It gave me the freedom to kind of create her from scratch. I read the book straight away and it was good to have an idea of the world, because the book really does just draw you in – I read it all in like a day without even meaning to.

"Then I just got to make her in the way that I wanted to and decide why she was doing the things she was doing, because in the book there were no real intentions... it gave me creative freedom."

What else has Bethany Antonia been in? Antonia is best known for playing the role of Margot in BBC iPlayer's teen drama Get Even. She has also had a guest role in Channel 4 sitcom Stath Lets Flats.

Jo Joyner plays Erin Cartwright

Who is Erin Cartwright? Erin is Broome's professional partner and ex-wife, who works closely with him to this day. Their latest case revolves around missing person Carlton Flynn, who mysteriously disappeared from the vicinity of Vipers nightclub.

"I think they both agreed that it just wasn’t going to work," said Joyner, of Erin and Broome's marriage. "I think he was one of those people that she had a great friendship with and it was good fun because it made her a bit more risky.

"But he’s not the kind of stable father material that she really needed in her life. It’s left them in a really good place because she’s cool with him having a life. She really wants him to get on with his life and to find the right woman and move forward."

What else has Jo Joyner been in? Joyner broke out in the cast of EastEnders, where she played the role of Tanya Branning for seven years, returning for guest spots on several occasions since her dramatic departure. Since then, she has led the cast of Channel 4's Ackley Bridge and BBC One's Shakespeare & Hathaway.

Eddie Izzard plays Harry

Who is Harry? Harry is a legal aid who specialises in taking on vulnerable clients. Recently, he has fallen on hard times, becoming a "high-functioning" heroin addict.

"The very sad thing is that, with high functioning heroin addicts, very often the only tell that you see is that they are dead from an overdose... You just can’t tell," said Izzard.

"They are people in very successful careers, holding down good careers, looking very well turned out. They’ve worked out their limits and this is what Harry is."

What else has Eddie Izzard been in? Izzard is one of the most famous comedians to come out of the UK and has had acting roles in The United States of Tara, Hannibal and, most recently, Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol.

Sarah Parish plays Lorraine

Who is Lorraine? Lorraine is the owner of Vipers nightclub, who knows Megan from many years ago, when she went by a different name.

"She loves where she works. She loves her girls at Vipers. She likes her life. She’s very happy in her life but she just wants one last hurrah. And that’s where Broome comes in," teases Parish.

What else has Sarah Parish been in? Parish has appeared in a number of high-profile shows, including BBC One's Atlantis, ITV's Broadchurch and Netflix's Medici: Masters of Florence. She also played the title role in cult favourite crime drama Bancroft.

Hyoie O'Grady plays Ken

Who is Ken? Ken is one half of a murderous musical theatre-inspired double act, who begin closing in on Megan and her loved ones.

What else has Hyoie O'Grady been in? Earlier this year, O'Grady appeared in indie film Mayday, starring Mia Goth.

Poppy Gilbert plays Barbie

Who is Barbie? Barbie is Ken's partner in crime, described as the "brains of the business". She is ruthless and willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve her goals.

What else has Poppy Gilbert been in? Previously, Gilbert has appeared in Call The Midwife and Sarah Phelps' recent BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Pale Horse. This year, she has been seen in ITV's Midsomer Murders and Aidan Turner's latest period drama, Leonardo.

Youssef Kerkour plays Fester

Who is Fester? Fester is a friend and colleague of Ray's, who is virtually the only support he has through his serious mental health difficulties.

What else has Youssef Kerkour been in? Kerkour is best known for portraying Sami in Channel 4 sitcom Home, following it up with roles in Gavin & Stacey's reunion special, Steven Moffat's Dracula and Mackenzie Crook's Worzel Gummidge.

Andi Osho plays Simona

Who is Simona? Simona is a pregnant military veteran. The father of her child went missing under mysterious circumstances, but she still holds out some hope that he will return.

What else has Andi Osho been in? Osho is a stand-up comedian who has taken on several high profile acting gigs lately. She played murdered journalist Gail Vella in Line of Duty's sixth series, while she has also had roles in Death in Paradise, I May Destroy You and DC Comics blockbuster Shazam.

Stay Close is available to stream on Netflix from Friday 31st December. Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix, read more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.