Harlan Coben brings another of his novels to Netflix with Fool Me Once.
Starring Michelle Keegan, this eight-episode thriller takes you on a rollercoaster ride as Keegan’s character questions her sanity when she sees her murdered husband alive.
Fool Me Once was filmed primarily around Manchester, and we’ve got all the details on how you can visit the Fool Me Once filming locations by train.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
What to know about Fool Me Once on Netflix
Everything you need to know about Harlan Coben’s Netflix thriller.
What is Fool Me Once about?
Fool Me Once is an eight-episode Netflix series that focuses on Maya Stern, a recent widow, who sees her murdered husband, Joe, playing with their daughter on their home’s nanny cam. Maya’s sister, Claire, also died under suspicious circumstances. The tale takes twists and turns as it unravels secrets and uncovers deceit, as the family seeks to answer two burning questions: Is Joe still alive, and if he’s not, are his and Claire’s deaths connected?
Who is in the Fool Me Once cast?
Fool Me Once on Netflix stars Michelle Keegan as Maya Stern, Adeel Akhtar as Sami Kierce, Richard Armitage as Joe Burkett, and Emmett J. Scanlan as Shane Tessier.
Is Fool Me Once based on a book?
Yes, Fool Me Once is based on the novel of the same name by mystery/thriller author Harlan Coben. Published in 2016, it joins Coben’s other novels—such as The Stranger, Stay Close, The Innocent, Hold Tight, Gone for Good, and The Woods—as books-turned-movies in Netflix’s “The Harlan Coben Collection.”
Image Credit: Vishal Sharma / Netflix © 2023
Will there be a season two of Fool Me Once?
Netflix hasn’t reported news on a second season. However, (no spoilers) the first season solves the mystery. The other Harlan Coben Netflix films are also standalone entries, so it’s doubtful that Fool Me Once will receive a second season. As the saying goes: “Fool Me Once, stream on Netflix; Fool Me Twice, standby for details.”
Is Winhurst a real place?
No, Winhurst is not a real place in the UK. The Netflix show Fool Me Once is set in the fictional town of Winhurst and filmed around Manchester, England. The Fool Me Once novel is set in suburban New Jersey and New York City.
Image Credit: Vishal Sharma / Netflix © 2023
Where was Netflix’s Fool Me Once filmed?
Check out these filming locations for Fool Me Once, most of which were filmed around Manchester.
Runway Visitor Park
Closest station: Manchester Airport
Located at Manchester Airport, the Runway Visitor Park is where Maya and Joe first meet. If you’re headed to any of the Fool Me Once filming locations in Manchester, you can easily get from London to Manchester by train in just over 2 hours. Or, if you’re flying in directly to Manchester from the States, catch this filming location before hopping the train directly to Manchester city center. The transfer takes 20 minutes and trains leave every 10 minutes to Manchester Piccadilly station.
Arley Hall & Gardens
Closest station: Knutsford
Arley Hall & Gardens, a gorgeous country home built in the 1800s, worked double duty as a Fool Me Once filming location. It served as both the Farmwood Estate a.k.a. Judith’s home, as well as part of the funeral set pieces for Joe’s service.
Does Arley Hall & Gardens look familiar? It’s hard not to glance at its beauty and immediately recognize it as the home of Tommy Shelby. Arley Hall & Gardens is also a Peaky Blinders filming location.
Philips Park
Closest station: Ashburys
For anyone keeping score at home, the other set pieces for Joe’s funeral were filmed at Philips Park in Manchester.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023
Alexandra Park, Oldham
Closest station: Oldham Central
In the Fool Me Once novel, Joe was killed in Central Park. The production chose Oldham’s Alexandra Park for the show’s location; take one stroll through this tranquil Victorian park, and you’ll see why it was a proud replacement for Central Park.
Peveril of the Peak
Closest station: Manchester Oxford Road
The Peveril of the Peak is an iconic Manchester pub and a popular date night haunt in real life and in Fool Me Once: both Maya and Joe, and Detective Kierce and his girlfriend, have a pint there.
Castlefield Viaduct
Closest station: Deansgate
Not far from the Peveril of the Peak, the Castlefield Viaduct was also used for filming in Fool Me Once. Owned by the National Trust, this historic landmark is open for visitors, should you want to pace and ponder about a murder case like Detective Kierce.
Arcade Club
Closest station: Bury Interchange
Europe’s sprawling, multi-level gaming bar, Arcade Club, is featured in the opening titles of Fool Me Once and during a scene where Maya searches for answers to Claire’s death.
Image Credit: Vishal Sharma / Netflix © 2023
Bolton School
Closest station: Bolton
Bolton School is a private educational institution, and while Joe may have only attended it in Fool Me Once, a very real Sir Ian McKellen is one of its notable alumni.
Stockport Air Raid Shelters
Closest station: Stockport
Corey’s hideout was created with a bit of movie magic. Part of it was constructed on the grounds of Arley Hall & Gardens. The other half was filmed in the Stockport Air Raid Shelters, an underground series of bunkers and tunnels used as shelters during wartime.
Almería
Closest station: Almería
The only filming location for Fool Me Once shot outside of the UK, Almería, Spain, was used for the flashback scenes depicting Maya’s time in the army.
Download the Trainline app and explore these nearby destinations featured in your favorite movies and television shows when visiting Fool Me Once filming locations in the UK:
- Liverpool, where Peaky Blinders was filmed.
- Birmingham, where Peaky Blinders is set.
- Leeds, where Downton Abbey and Marvel’s Secret Invasion were filmed.
- Oxford, where Saltburn was filmed.
- Cornwall, where Poldark was filmed.
- Hampshire, where Downton Abbey was filmed.
- Edinburgh, where Outlander and A Castle for Christmas was filmed.
Header Image Credit:Matt Squire / Netflix © 2023