Run Away star addresses online comments about character disability: “I stand by the way we did it”

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Harlan Coben’s new series, Run Away, quickly became the most popular show on Netflix after its release.

This gripping thriller centers on Simon Greene (James Nesbitt) and his frantic quest to find his missing daughter, Paige (Ellie de Lange). His search quickly leads him into a murder investigation, where he begins to unravel family secrets that could put everything at risk.

Although the series mainly focused on Paige’s story, her sister Anya has also become popular with viewers on social media.

Ellie Henry, the actress who plays Anya, has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which she was diagnosed with as a teen. Because Anya uses a wheelchair, there’s been a lot of discussion about it online.

People watching the show have observed that Henry sometimes uses a wheelchair and sometimes walks or stands, which is common for someone who is an ambulatory wheelchair user – meaning they can use a wheelchair but also have the ability to walk.

Honestly, I was so surprised to see people pointing out what they thought was a mistake! It just didn’t seem plausible to me that the team at Quay Street would let something slip through – they’re usually so meticulous. It’s good to know they don’t really make those kinds of errors.

It’s not their fault they don’t know, as this information hasn’t been made public. Therefore, I wouldn’t expect anyone to be aware of it.

She added that she was happy they didn’t address it in the show, as it’s just a normal part of their family life. She explained that, like in her own life, they don’t constantly talk about disability – they simply live their lives day to day.

This show is about much more than just Anya’s disability, and I’m happy we stayed focused on that. I anticipated questions about it, and I’m relieved I can now answer them based on my own experiences. Hopefully, this will help people better understand what it’s like to use a walking wheelchair.

As Henry pointed out, the story doesn’t directly address Anya’s disability, but the actress was very interested in portraying that aspect of her character from the beginning.

Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about having it featured in this particular show. I truly believe every story deserves its moment, and I’m all for seeing disabled stories told – it’s fantastic when they are – but this just didn’t feel like the right fit, in my opinion.

When creating a show about a person with a disability, focus on telling their story. If the plot involves an injury or diagnosis, that’s fine – explore it when it genuinely enhances the narrative and serves a purpose. In this particular instance, it didn’t feel necessary or add value to the story.

Everything was happening so quickly, there wasn’t time to discuss it in the moment. I’m confident we handled things the right way, and I’m very happy with the outcome. We expected to talk about it later, and I’d rather share my full story than have a quick, easily overlooked comment flash by on screen during all the drama.

Henry explained that she uses a wheelchair sometimes, but can also walk. There are many reasons someone might use a wheelchair part-time, like pain, nerve issues, dizziness, or heart problems. It really varies from person to person.

This means that getting around – whether it’s long distances, running errands in town, or traveling to the city – can be difficult, and that’s why we rely on a wheelchair. It allows us to rest when needed, save energy, and still participate in daily life.

As a movie lover, I’ve always felt that films could do a better job of naturally showing characters with mobility devices. It would be amazing if we all got used to seeing people simply stand up from their wheelchairs, just like anyone else might. I think it’s something we could normalize – even something as simple as being able to move around a familiar space, like walking around a classroom or within your own home, shouldn’t be a shocking moment on screen. It should just be.

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Henry explained that Anya’s character wasn’t originally written to use a wheelchair in the Harlan Coben novel. Henry said the casting directors focused on her ability to portray the character effectively, believing that whether she used a wheelchair or not shouldn’t change that. She was pleased they prioritized her acting skills over physical characteristics.

Henry explained that discussions about Anya’s wheelchair use began as soon as he was cast in the role. He felt fortunate that he’s comfortable discussing his own disabilities, and the production team at Quay Street was very welcoming and open to having those conversations.

We also had someone coordinating access, and they sent the scripts to her first, which took a load off my plate. She then reviewed everything, marking any parts that might need minor adjustments.

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Having previously appeared in Hollyoaks and recently starred in Run Away, Henry says her future as an actress is still unfolding. However, she’s always prioritized using her social media platforms to advocate for important causes.

I started using a wheelchair when I was fifteen, and I immediately began using social media. From that point on, I knew what I wanted to do professionally, and I’ve seen it as a positive opportunity, because my condition is permanent.

If I can ease someone’s feelings of isolation, or help their loved ones understand their experience, that would be amazing. It would mean one less difficult conversation about disability. I’m grateful to have a platform where I can do that.

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You can now watch Run Away on Netflix, with plans starting at just £5.99 per month. Netflix is also accessible through Sky Glass and Virgin Media.

I just added ‘Run Away’ to my watchlist on the TopMob app – it’s great for getting daily TV recommendations and finding new shows. You can download it now if you want to stay updated on what to watch!

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

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2026-01-09 16:14