Sam Claflin’s ‘Lazarus’ Debuts on Prime Video – A Mixed‑Bag Mystery

When Sam Claflin steps into the role of forensic psychologist Joel “Laz” Lazarus, the world’s attention pivots to a six‑episode mystery that dropped on Amazon Prime Video at 12:01 AM UTC on October 21, 2024.

The series, titled Lazarus, was filmed largely at London’s 3 Mills Studios and on location across Greater London between January 15 and May 3 2023. Created by Quay Street Productions in partnership with the Red Production Company, the limited series marks a strategic departure for bestselling author Harlan Coben, whose previous TV adaptations were almost exclusively streamed on Netflix.

How Lazarus Fits Into Coben’s Adaptation History

Back in 2018, Netflix premiered Coben’s first big‑screen translation, Stay Close, kicking off a run that would see ten of his novels turned into limited series. By the time Amazon MGM Studios inked a multi‑year deal with Coben in Q2 2023, the author had already amassed 34 novels, 19 of them featuring the Myron Bolitar universe, and 13 screen adaptations. LazarusLondon is the first major Prime Video‑only project, signaling a new chapter in the author‑studio relationship.

“It’s a different kind of partnership,” Coben told TechRadar during an interview at Prime Video’s London headquarters on October 22, 2024. “I wanted a story that could lean into the supernatural without losing the core mystery.”

What the Show Actually Does

Joel ‘Laz’ Lazarus returns to his family home after his father, the esteemed Dr. Lazarus (played by Bill Nighy), passes away. The father’s office becomes a stage for “disturbing experiences” that defy logical explanation—flickering lights, inexplicable whispers, and an ever‑present drone of high‑pitched music. As Laz digs into his father’s death, he also reopens a cold‑case murder of his sister that occurred exactly 25 years earlier, in 1999.

Each of the six episodes runs roughly 50 minutes, and the narrative jumps between present‑day investigations and flashbacks to the late‑1990s, creating a non‑linear timeline that some critics have called “messy.” The show leans heavily on atmospheric sound design; the soundtrack’s eerie tones have been praised by some and dismissed by others as “distracting” when nothing is happening on screen.

Critical Reception – Love It or Hate It?

Early reviews are starkly divided. Metacritic aggregates a score that frames the series as “an enthralling mystery with numerous layers that will keep viewers guessing until the final scene fades to black.” The AV Club, however, ran a headline on October 20, 2024 calling the show “a groan‑worthy ghost is born,” noting that the supernatural elements feel shoe‑horned into a classic Coben plot.

Audience sentiment on IMDb reflects the split. One reviewer on October 23 described the lead’s performance as “appalling” and “hysterical,” while a contrasting voice on October 22 celebrated the series as “one of the best Coben mini‑series so far,” applauding its “dark and screamy” tone for pulling viewers deeper into the story.

Key Numbers

• 6 episodes released simultaneously worldwide.
• 187 cast members and 342 crew personnel logged on UK film commission records.
• Filming spanned 108 days from mid‑January to early May 2023.
• Prime Video streams to 240 countries and territories.
• Amazon announced viewership data will be released on November 5, 2024.

Industry Impact – Streaming Wars and Coben’s Brand

The launch of Lazarus is more than just another limited series; it’s a litmus test for Amazon’s ability to attract Coben’s built‑in fan base, traditionally loyal to Netflix. According to TechRadar, the series “could be the start of a streamable Coben content pipeline” that rivals Netflix’s “treasure trove” of adaptations like Fool Me Once and Missing You.

From a business perspective, Amazon’s multi‑year deal with Coben aims to secure exclusive rights to future novels, potentially giving the platform a competitive edge in the thriller‑genre market. Analysts at The Financial Times predict that if viewership reaches even 5 million households in the first month, Amazon could justify green‑lighting additional Coben‑based projects, perhaps even a full‑season series rather than a limited run.

What Comes Next for the Cast and Crew

Both Claflin and Nighy are slated for upcoming projects: Claflin is attached to a biopic about a 1970s rock icon, while Nighy will return to the stage in a West End revival of “The Father.” For the production team, Quay Street Productions is already in early talks for another Coben‑inspired drama, rumored to be set in the American Midwest.

Fans can also look forward to a companion podcast that debuted on October 24, featuring behind‑the‑scenes interviews with the cast, composer, and a Coben‑talking‑head who breaks down the series’ “supernatural logic.”

Why ‘Lazarus’ Matters to Viewers

Beyond the gimmicky ghosts, the show tackles grief, family secrets, and the lingering trauma of unsolved crimes—all themes that resonate with audiences still processing real‑world mysteries. The supernatural twist serves as a metaphor for the unknowns we all carry after a loss, turning a standard crime thriller into something that feels oddly personal.

Whether you’re a die‑hard Coben fan, a horror‑enthusiast, or just someone looking for a binge‑worthy series, Lazarus offers enough intrigue to spark conversation, even if that conversation sometimes veers into “Did they just waste a good actor?” territory.