Peaky Blinders star joins 'compelling' Harlan Coben thriller with 'eerie' twist
Prime Video is dishing up what looks set to be a 'mind-bending' psychological thriller courtesy of the author behind bestselling crime novels, Harlan Coben.
The acclaimed author, whose works have previously sparked Netflix hits Fool Me Once and Stay Close, is returning with a brand new limited series.
The programme, currently operating under the working title Lazarus, boasts an absolutely stellar cast featuring Sam Claflin, renowned for his portrayal of Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders and Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games series.
British acting legend Bill Nighy and Killing Eve's Alexandra Roach are also lined up to appear in the series, which springs from an original concept by Coben alongside BAFTA-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst.
According to Prime Video's official synopsis: "Lazarus follows 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."
In the programme, Claflin - who will double up as executive producer - takes on the lead role of Laz, "a well-respected forensic psychologist who has spent his whole life running from the pain of his past".
The character breakdown adds: "It is only now when he returns home that he is forced to finally face up to it."
Meanwhile, Nighy steps into the shoes of Laz's father, a psychologist named Doctor Lazarus, reports the Express.
The father-of-three is described as "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."
Roach portrays Laz's sister Jenna, who has "buried herself in a world of spiritual practice" after their sister's murder.
"Now, when her brother returns home and starts experiencing unexplained phenomena, she is forced to confront secrets from her own past," the description adds.
The thriller will be brought to life by Quay Street Productions and Amazon MGM Studios alongside Final Twist Productions, broadcasting solely on Prime Video.
Discussing the fresh project with Radio Times, Coben revealed: "I thought, 'I could write this as a novel, but I'm seeing it as a TV series.' It's a little more of a ghost story, very visual."
The series has been branded a "propulsive mystery thriller" featuring a "mind-bending" storyline.
The programme also seems to be set in the UK, as Caflin was previously seen filming sequences in Manchester city centre.
Rola Bauer, head of Pan-English scripted SVOD TV at Amazon MGM Studios, commented: "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.
"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."
Heather Curtis, current series executive Pan-English scripted SVOD TV at Amazon MGM Studios, added: "Lazarus is a gripping series that captures your attention from the very beginning.
"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.
"Harlan and Danny have created another wonderfully compelling story but this time with an eerie twist," said Richard Fee and Nicola Shindler, executive producers for Quay Street Productions.
"Lazarus has all the ingredients of a propulsive mystery thriller with an extra dose of atmosphere and psychological horror that makes it particularly gripping."
Whilst an official launch date hasn't been confirmed yet, Lazarus is anticipated to drop on Prime Video this autumn.
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