Ruth Jones Returns to Screens in Gripping Netflix Thriller Run Away
From Comedy Icon to Action Star
Welsh actress, comedian, writer and producer Ruth Jones, best known for co-writing and starring in the critically acclaimed BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance in 2025, has embarked on an exciting new chapter in her career. Her new Netflix thriller, Run Away, aired on 1 January, 2026, and sees Ruth in the role of Elena Ravenscroft, a private investigator and ex-police firearms officer who is now working with the police to help solve the disappearance of a young girl.
Intensive Preparation for a Powerful Role
The role required Jones to undergo significant physical preparation. In an interview with RadioTimes, Jones discussed the intensity of her gun training, remarking that it made her “feel like a little bit kind of powerful onscreen.” She was introduced to “squibs,” special effects that simulate gunfire, and noted that working with blank rounds was a new experience for her, emphasizing how loud the guns can be. Jones also shared her insights from filming a dramatic flashback scene featuring a shootout set in an abandoned factory, expressing amazement at how “gobsmacked” she was at the number of crew members involved in setting up such sequences.
A Star-Studded Harlan Coben Adaptation
The streamer has officially dropped all eight episodes of Run Away, a thrilling mystery series starring James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver. The series follows a desperate father, played by Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who is searching for his runaway daughter and ends up getting caught up in a murder case. The eight-part thriller was filmed in Manchester and Liverpool.
Significance for Fans and Future Projects
The show is Ruth Jones’ first project since the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special which aired in 2024. This dramatic departure from her comedic roots demonstrates Jones’ versatility as a performer and her willingness to challenge herself with complex, action-oriented roles. For audiences, Run Away offers the perfect opportunity to see one of Britain’s most beloved comedy stars in an entirely new light, showcasing her range and dramatic capabilities in a genre far removed from the warm humour that made her famous.