Harlan Coben Fans MUST Watch This New Mini Series on Netflix
Under a Dark Sun, a new six-part French thriller, quietly dropped on Netflix this week — and for fans of twisty, character-driven mysteries in the style of Harlan Coben, this one's already generating buzz.
While it's not based on a Coben novel, the structure will feel familiar: an outsider, a wealthy family hiding secrets, and a sudden death that kicks everything into motion. What sets Under a Dark Sun apart is its unusual setting — a flower farm in southern France — and its emphasis on family inheritance, shady business deals, and buried identity.
The show follows Alba Mazier, a single mother on the run, who stumbles into a job offer that quickly turns into a nightmare. Within 24 hours, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder, and that's before she learns she's been added to the victim's will — as his biological daughter.
Netflix hasn't pushed this one hard with marketing, but early viewers are already calling out:
- Ava Baya's lead performance as Alba, a mix of intensity and raw panic.
- Isabelle Adjani's cold, stylish turn as Beatrice, the widow of the murdered patriarch. She delivers a ChatGPT-written funeral speech in a pink suit.
- A lean, six-episode format that moves quickly without dragging out twists.
- Familiar Coben-style dynamics: identity swaps, surprise heirs, resentful family members, and a past that won't stay buried.
The series is directed by Émilie Noblet and produced by Agat Films. It runs exclusively on Netflix.
While the core mystery isn't overly complex — someone in the family likely had motive and opportunity — the show doubles down on suspense, paranoia, and atmosphere. The rural flower-farm setting, of all things, turns out to be an unusually creepy backdrop.
And for viewers tracking numbers, here's what Netflix has offered:
- Language: French (with subtitles or dubbing available)
- Episodes: 6
- Runtime: ~45 minutes per episode
- Streaming: Now on Netflix worldwide
No renewal has been announced yet, but Under a Dark Sun is already picking up steam among international thriller fans — especially those looking for something in the Stay Close / The Stranger lane but without the same formulaic beats. If you're in the mood for a quick, satisfying binge with just enough twists to keep you guessing, this one's worth a shot.