Spoiler Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Netflix’s Stay Close.
Netflix’s Stay Close has taken viewers by storm due to its various mysteries and complex characters. The main mysteries of the show revolve around main character Megan’s dark past and the various disappearances within the town.
Harlan Coben is a master of mystery as he has proven with his previous Netflix shows, Safe and The Stranger, which also focused on missing people and equally gripped audiences. Just like with these previous shows, Stay Close keeps viewers guessing right until the very end with its many twists and engaging characters.
Kayleigh Shaw
Kayleigh finds herself in many tense and dangerous situations throughout the season, mainly because she is determined to discover the truth about her mother’s past. Right from jump, Kayleigh finds herself embroiled in the disappearance of Carlton Flynn.
After delving into her mother’s past, she finds herself in grave danger when she is pursued by Barbie and Ken. Although Kayleigh isn’t a massively prominent character, she does find herself involved in a lot of the main plots. One of the biggest plot twists of the whole season actually centres around her after the truth about Carlton’s fate comes to light which makes her one of the more memorable characters on the show.
Brian Goldberg
Goldberg continues a Harlan Coben tradition of including a corrupt member of the police, which is also seen in Safe and The Stranger. This character finds himself embroiled with the psychotic Barbie and Ken which eventually leads to his downfall.
Unlike his corrupt counterparts in Coben’s other projects, Goldberg is easily manipulated and is in way over his head. While the character doesn’t feature that much, he is certainly a thorn in Broome’s side throughout. Goldberg’s bumbling nature means the “twist” regarding his true allegiances isn’t all that surprising and despite sharing a name with one of the most dangerous characters from You, he’s hardly a massive threat in his own right.
Harry Sutton
Harry is an old friend of Megan/Cassie whom she turns to for help when she believes Stewart has returned. Harry is particularly nurturing towards his old friend and although his meeting with her family is uncomfortable for Megan, it is still heartwarming.
While he certainly has his demons, Harry genuinely cares for Megan and her safety. Unfortunately, his connections soon leave him on Ken and Barbie’s radar. While he doesn’t get much screen time due to his death mid-way through, Harry is still an intriguing character.
Fester
Fester is a trusted friend to Ray, even if he does make some dubious decisions on his behalf. Years previously, Ray turned up on Fester’s doorstep, heavily inebriated and covered in blood. Despite the suspicious and highly unusual nature of the situation, Fester hid this from Ray for many years and even warns Megan away when she returns.
As Fester and Ray’s friendship is one of the best of the season, it would have been interesting to see it get more focus. Fester especially deserved more screen time and development in the miniseries.
Barbie And Ken
There are many common tropes in murder mystery TV shows, several of which are present in Stay Close. However, one of the more unusual and unique aspects of the show is the inclusion of Barbie and Ken. These characters may look innocent and quirky but they’re cold-blooded murderers.
In one of Stay Close‘s most bizarre scenes, the pair perform a dance number before disposing of their victim Tawny’s body. The juxtaposition of the characters’ theatrics and their murderous actions makes them twisted characters who are impossible to look away from, even if they feel a little too fantastical for a show mostly grounded in reality.
Ray Levine
Ray was engaged to Megan/Cassie before she ran away to start a new life and is still very much hung up on her in the present.
The character is one of the main suspects throughout the series and is shown to have a vicious temper. Ray’s friendship with Fester is particularly engaging and it’s hard not to feel for the former after what Megan did to him. Ray is very different from Richard Armitage’s character from TheStranger, which shows his range as an actor. But alas, Ray’s inclusion is mostly as a red herring to throw the audience off.
DC Erin Cartwright
Erin is investigating the disappearances in the town, alongside her partner and ex-husband, DC Broome.
The unusual dynamic between Erin and Broome makes her character particularly fun. One moment, viewers will see Erin discussing a grisly murder and the next she’ll be looking after her baby or discussing her relationship history with Broome, sometimes all within one scene. The character is often teasing Broome about his relationship with Lorraine but also maintains a strong and supportive bond with him while also being a great detective.
DC Michael Broome
Stay Close is a mystery show fans of The Stranger will love due to their shared creator and themes. Both shows have police detectives as central characters, with Stay Close‘s Broome being a key focus throughout.
Broome is surly and irritable which makes him a great partner for the warm and family-orientated Erin as it leads to some fun banter between the pair. He is the first person to notice a pattern in the disappearances, and his relationship with Lorraine ensures the end reveal really packs a punch. Broome’s final confrontation with Lorraine is one of Stay Close‘s best scenes and is surprisingly emotional.
Megan/Cassie Pierce
Quite early on into the show, it becomes apparent that Megan has a hidden past. She is the central character and the fact the audience never feel like they truly know or trust her is what makes the story so exciting.
Megan’s determination to hide from and keep her past a secret puts several people in unnecessary danger. The way she treats Ray is also particularly cold considering how she felt about him in the past. When things really escalate, though, she does come to her daughter’s rescue and is eventually honest with her husband. Most of the show does revolve around Megan and her secret past life as Cassie so she is certainly one of the most entertaining characters to watch.
Lorraine Griggs
When viewers are first introduced to Lorraine, she feels like a sinister character who is not to be trusted, which is quite a clever double-bluff considering the show’s ending. It soon becomes clear that while she takes no prisoners, Lorraine does truly care for Megan. Her relationship with Broome and her emotional confession regarding her cancer diagnosis provide some real heart to the show as well.
Stay Safe is one of the best binge-worthy TV shows and most of that comes down to the mystery and the anticipation for the eventual reveal. As Lorraine is one of the most engaging characters in the whole show, the reveal comes as a real surprise to the viewer. Even when her crimes are brought to light, it’s difficult not to sympathize with her.
