Harlan Coben Expresses Solidarity With Writers Guild of America at Premiere of ‘Shelter’ at Monte-Carlo Television Festival
variety.comLeo Barraclough International Features Editor Best-selling novelist and showrunner Harlan Coben kicked off the 62nd edition of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival Friday with an expression of solidarity with the striking members of the Writers Guild of America, of which he is a member.
Coben, the co-showrunner and executive producer of Prime Video series “Harlan Coben’s Shelter,” which opened the festival with the world premiere of its first episode, said he wouldn’t be taking part in the promotion of the show at the festival to demonstrate his support for the strike.
Standing on stage alongside Monaco’s Prince Albert II, the festival’s honorary president, Coben said: “I am just going to say I am supporting the Writers Guild of America, my union, that is striking right now, so I am not going to participate in any of the question and answers, and none of the media – I’m just here for the prince, and will introduce you to the wonderful cast who will take over for you.” Earlier, after Prince Albert presented Coben with a honorary diploma for his “outstanding contribution to global literature, arts and entertainment,” the novelist shared an “embarrassing story” from his college days.
Coben, whose books have sold more than 80 million copies and have been published in 45 languages, said that when was 18 years old and first went to Amherst College – “I was a freshman, I was scared, and I didn’t know anybody” – a friend introduced him to a friend of his named “Alby,” who was a senior. “Alby was the nicest guy.
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