Amazon Orders Limited Series From ‘Fool Me Once’ Team; Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Alexandra Roach to Star (EXCLUSIVE)
Amazon Prime Video has ordered a psychological mystery thriller limited series from Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst, Variety has learned exclusively.
The series is based on an original story idea by Coben and Brocklehurst, with Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, and Alexandra Roach attached to star.
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Currently titled “Lazarus,” the series is said to follow “a man who returns home after his father’s suicide and begins to have disturbing experiences that can’t be explained. He quickly becomes entangled in a series of cold-case murders as he grapples with the mystery of his father’s death and his sister’s murder 25 years ago.”
Coben and Brocklehurst will serve as writers and executive producers. Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee will executive produce via Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios. Claflin will executive produce in addition to starring. Wayne Che Yip will executive produce and direct the first two episodes. Matt Strevens will produce. Quay Street Productions and Amazon MGM Studios produce in association with Coben’s Final Twist Productions. Coben is currently under an overall deal at Netflix, though that deal specifically covers a large number his novels. Given that “Lazarus” is an original idea, it does not fall under the scope of that deal.
“We were instantly drawn to ‘Lazarus,’ from the brilliant minds of Harlan and Danny, fitting perfectly into our Pan-English strategy. I am confident that our global Prime Video customers will embrace it too,” said Rola Bauer, head of Pan-English scripted SVOD TV at Amazon MGM Studios. “Combining Director Wayne Yip’s vision with Sam, Bill, and Alexandra’s amazing talent, along with Nicola, Richard, and Quay Street as our award-winning production team, is a dream scenario.”
Claflin will star as Laz, described as a well-respected forensic psychologist who has spent his whole life running from the pain of his past. It is only now when he returns home that he is forced to finally face up to it.”
The role marks a return to Prime Video for Claflin, who recently starred in the streamer’s series “Daisy Jones and the Six.” His other notable roles include “Peaky Blinders,” “Enola Holmes,” and three of the “Hunger Games” films. He is repped by CAA in the US, Independent Talent Group in the UK, and Glaser Weil Fink.
“’Lazarus’ is a gripping series that captures your attention from the very beginning,” said Heather Curtis, current series executive for Pan-English scripted SVOD TV at Amazon MGM Studios. “We’re thrilled to unite with Harlan, Danny, Quay Street, and the all-star cast of Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, and Alexandra Roach to tell this compelling story for our global Prime Video customers.”
Bill Nighy has been cast as Doctor Lazarus, or Dr L. He is said to be a “psychologist and father to Laz, Jenna and Sutton. A beloved figure within his community, he shares his son’s charm, dry humor, and charisma. In death, he wants his son to understand that they are more similar than Laz thinks.”
Nighy received the first Oscar nomination of his career in 2023 for the critically-acclaimed film “Living.” He previously won a Golden Golbe for his role in the TV movie “Gideon’s Daughter.” He is also known for starring in films like “Love Actually,” the “Pirates of the Carribean” franchise, and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” He is repped by UTA in the US, Independent Talent Group in the UK, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
Roach will play Jenna Lazarus. The character description reads, “Since her sister’s murder Jenna has buried herself in a world of spiritual practice but now when her brother returns home and starts experiencing unexplained phenomena, she is forced to confront secrets from her own past.”
Roach previously starred in shows like “The Light in the Hall,” “Sanditon,” and “Killing Eve,” as well as films like “The Iron Lady” and “Testament of Youth.” She is repped by Independent Talent Group.
“Do I have to say more than the names Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, and Alexandra Roach to express my excitement about this limited series?” Coben said. “‘Lazarus’ is a story of loss, redemption — and the eternal bond between a parent and a child, even after death. It is never anything less than a thrill to team up again with Danny Brocklehurst and Quay Street Productions.”
This will be the newest collaboration between Coben, Brocklehurst, and Quay Street. All three previously teamed for the Netflix series “Fool Me Once,” which was based on Coben’s book of the same name, adapted for the screen by Brocklehurst, and produced by Quay Street. The show has proven to be a massive success, recently becoming one of the streamer’s most-viewed series of all time. Coben and Brocklehurst also teamed on the Netflix series “Stay Close,” “The Stranger,” “Safe,” and “The Five.” Amazon also previously aired the series “Shelter,” which was based on Coben’s novel of the same name.
“Lazarus is a psychological thriller with an emotional spine,” said Brocklehurst. “It’s about fathers and sons, love and loss. We have attempted to bring our trademark wit and warmth as well as twists galore. This is the first collaboration the team at Quay Street, Harlan and myself have done with Amazon and we are delighted to be partnering with them.”
“Harlan and Danny have created another wonderfully compelling story but this time with an eerie twist,” said Fee and Shindler. “’Lazarus’ has all the ingredients of a propulsive mystery thriller with an extra dose of atmosphere and psychological horror that makes it particularly gripping.”
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