David Farnor | On 09, Feb 2024

Harlan Coben is the man of the moment in the streaming world, with Amazon ordering a new series from the prolific writer.

The bestselling author has seen a large number of his books translated to the screen as part of a long-running deal with Netflix – the latest, Fool Me Once, has been one of the streamer’s big hits at the start of the year. Last year, meanwhile, the first of Coben’s Mickey Bolitar trilogy of novels, Shelter, was adapted for Amazon Prime Video.

Now, Coben is reteaming with Amazon Studios for Lazarus (working title), a psychological thriller based on an original idea and written by Coben and Danny Brocklehurst.

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. e.
 
Sam Claflin (Daisy Jones & The Six), who serves as executive producer, has been cast as Laz, 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.
 
Bill Nighy (Living) has been cast as Doctor Lazarus (Dr L). 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. 
 
Alexandra Roach (Killing Eve) has been cast as Jenna Lazarus. 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.

“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, 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.”

“Lazarus is a gripping series that captures your attention from the very beginning,” said Heather Curtis, current series executive Pan-English scripted SVOD TV, 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.”
 
“Do I have to say more than the names Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, and Alexandra Roach to express my excitement about this limited series? Lazarus is a story of loss, redemption — and the eternal bond between a parent and a child, even after death,” said Harlan Coben, writer and executive producer. “It is never anything less than a thrill to team up again with Danny Brocklehurst and Quay Street Productions.”
 
“Lazarus is 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,” said Danny Brocklehurst, writer and executive producer. “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.”
 
Coben and Brocklehurst will serve as executive producers, alongside Nicola Shindler (Nolly, It’s A Sin) and Richard Fee (Fool Me Once, The Stranger) for Quay Street Productions, part of ITV Studios. Wayne Che Yip (Rings of Power, Utopia) will be directing episodes one and two and will also serve as executive producer. Matt Strevens (Doctor Who, Capital) will produce.

Add to Watchlist