Harlan Coben’s New Thriller Lazarus Promises a Chilling Mix of Mystery, Family Secrets and Psychological Horror
Starring Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy, the Prime Video series takes Harlan Coben’s trademark twists into darker, more supernatural territory.
Harlan Coben is back with a mystery that promises to be different from his previous thrillers. Titled Lazarus, the new series blends unsolved murders, disturbing supernatural experiences and long-buried family secrets in a story that blurs the line between past and present.
The drama stars Sam Claflin, known for The Count of Monte Cristo, as a forensic psychologist drawn into his family’s troubled history following his father’s death. With Bill Nighy and Alexandra Roach also among the cast, Lazarus combines psychological suspense with an emotional family drama, promising plenty of unexpected twists along the way.
Executive producers Richard Fee and Nicola Shindler have described the show as a “propulsive mystery thriller”. The trailer hints at an unsettling atmosphere and a darker direction for Coben’s storytelling.
Unlike his previous screen adaptations, Lazarus is based on an original idea developed specifically for television rather than an existing novel. Speaking to Radio Times, Coben explained: “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.”
With psychological suspense, family drama and unexplained events at its heart, Lazarus offers a fresh addition to Prime Video’s thriller lineup.
Here’s everything you need to know about the series, including its storyline, cast, trailer and release date.
What Is Lazarus About?
At the centre of Lazarus is Laz, a forensic psychologist played by Sam Claflin, who returns to his family home after the death of his father, Doctor Lazarus, portrayed by Bill Nighy.
His homecoming soon takes a disturbing turn. Laz begins experiencing unexplained phenomena that neither he nor those around him can understand. As he searches for answers, he becomes entangled in a series of cold-case murders.
The investigation soon becomes personal. Alongside the mystery surrounding his father’s death, Laz must confront the unsolved murder of his sister, which happened 25 years earlier. As the cases begin to intersect, secrets buried for decades threaten to come to light.
The story also follows Jenna Lazarus, played by Alexandra Roach. Having immersed herself in spiritual practices, Jenna has built a world of her own. But when her brother returns home and begins experiencing inexplicable events, she is forced to confront secrets from her past.
The combination of unresolved crimes, family tensions and ghost-story elements gives Lazarus a distinctive atmosphere, setting it apart from a conventional crime thriller.
A Psychological Thriller With an Emotional Core
Coben co-wrote Lazarus with BAFTA-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst, bringing together their experience in crafting twist-filled dramas.
Brocklehurst described the series as “a psychological thriller with an emotional spine. It’s about fathers and sons, love and loss. We have attempted to bring our trademark wit and warmth as well as twists galore.”
Beneath the cold cases and unexplained experiences lies a family struggling with grief, loss and the consequences of secrets kept for years.
Executive producers Richard Fee and Nicola Shindler have also highlighted the show’s distinctive tone. They said: “Harlan and Danny have created another wonderfully compelling story but this time with an eerie twist. Lazarus has all the ingredients of a propulsive mystery thriller with an extra dose of atmosphere and psychological horror that makes it particularly gripping.”
For viewers familiar with Coben’s work, the series promises intricate plotting and unexpected revelations, while introducing a more unsettling supernatural dimension.
Who Stars in Lazarus?
The series features an ensemble cast led by Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy, with Alexandra Roach playing a key role in the family mystery.
The main cast includes:
- Bill Nighy as Doctor Lazarus (Dr L)
- Alexandra Roach as Jenna Lazarus
- Sam Claflin as Laz
- Ewan Horrocks as Young Laz
- David Fynn as Seth McGovern
- Karla Crome as Bella
- Kate Ashfield as Detective Alison Brown
- Curtis Tennant as Aidan
- Lloyd Lai as Rupert Yuen
- Roisin Gallagher as Laura
With the story revolving around a family tragedy and a series of connected murder cases, the relationships between these characters are central to the unfolding mystery.
Watch the Official Lazarus Trailer
The official trailer offers a first look at the series’ unsettling tone, introducing a world where disturbing memories and unexplained experiences complicate an already difficult investigation.
Rather than relying solely on traditional detective-drama conventions, Lazarus leans into psychological tension and eerie imagery. The footage hints at the questions facing Laz as he returns home, while leaving viewers guessing about what really happened to his father and sister.
You can watch the official trailer here:
Why Are Harlan Coben’s Thrillers So Popular?
Coben has built a substantial television audience with stories that combine crime, secrets and revelations that can change how viewers understand everything that came before.
Among his best-known adaptations is Stay Close, starring Cush Jumbo and Richard Armitage, which was one of the highest-rated UK series of 2022. His 2024 thriller Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan and Richard Armitage, also became a major Netflix success, ranking as the platform’s sixth most successful show of all time, according to the original article.
Other adaptations, including The Stranger, The Woods and Just One Look, have further expanded his television catalogue.
These series share many of the elements audiences associate with Coben’s work: carefully constructed mysteries, complicated relationships and revelations that challenge initial assumptions.
Lazarus takes a different approach by introducing supernatural elements and a stronger emphasis on psychological horror. The result is a mystery that combines crime-solving with questions about grief, family history and the experiences that cannot easily be explained.
For viewers who enjoy piecing together clues and trying to anticipate the next twist, the series offers plenty to explore.
When Can You Watch Lazarus?
Lazarus premiered on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, on Prime Video.
The story follows Laz as he returns to his hometown after his father’s death and begins experiencing phenomena he cannot explain. His search for answers draws him into a web of cold cases connected to his sister’s unsolved murder 25 years earlier.
As the investigation develops, the mystery surrounding his father’s death becomes increasingly difficult to separate from the secrets of his family’s past.
The series is available through Prime Video, although streaming availability and subscription terms may vary by region.
What Other Harlan Coben Thrillers Should You Watch?
If Lazarus leaves you wanting more suspense, several other adaptations of Coben’s work are worth considering.
Fool Me Once
Where to watch: Netflix
Starring Michelle Keegan and Richard Armitage, this thriller centres on a mystery that challenges what its characters believe about the people closest to them. It is a good option for viewers who enjoy hidden secrets and major revelations.
Stay Close
Where to watch: Netflix
Featuring Cush Jumbo and Richard Armitage, the series explores how secrets from the past can disrupt seemingly settled lives. Its interconnected mysteries make it another choice for fans of Coben’s storytelling.
The Stranger, The Woods and Just One Look
These adaptations offer more of the crime, suspense and concealed truths that have become familiar features of Coben’s television work. Availability varies by streaming service and region.
Another adaptation, Run Away, was also reported to be in development in the original article, with Ruth Jones set to star.
Is Lazarus Worth Adding to Your Watchlist?
With Sam Claflin leading the cast, Bill Nighy playing his enigmatic father and Alexandra Roach portraying Jenna Lazarus, the series brings together family drama, crime investigation and psychological horror.
Its supernatural thread gives the mystery a different feel from a conventional crime drama. Rather than focusing exclusively on identifying a killer, the story follows Laz as he confronts disturbing experiences and painful questions about the people closest to him.
For fans of atmospheric thrillers, complicated family histories and mysteries that unfold piece by piece, Lazarus offers a new direction for Harlan Coben. The series premiered on Prime Video in October 2025 and is worth considering for anyone looking for a suspenseful watch.
