Lazarus on Prime Video: Plot, start date, and latest news on Harlan Coben's spooky family thriller
Bringing a fitting supernatural chill to your autumn viewing
Lazarus is the latest Harlen Coben series coming to Prime Video in October, described as a new psycho-horror-thriller.
Harlan Coben series have become a constant source of labyrinthine intrigue in the streaming boom and now Prime Video is re-teaming with the prolific writer for their third collaboration, Lazarus.
Unlike the duo’s last project together, which adapted his 2011 novel Shelter, this one is not based on any prior source material. It was instead co-created by Danny Brocklehurst (of Shameless and Brassic fame).
Danny has been deep in the Harlan trenches since The Five came out way back in 2016. He went on to write Netflix’s Safe, The Stranger, Stay Close, Fool Me Once and Missing You alongside the bestselling New Jersey native.
Here’s everything you need to know about Lazarus on Prime Video – including plot, cast, location, episode count and start date.
What is the new Harlan Coben series Lazarus about?
According to an official Prime Video synopsis, the show follows forensic psychiatrist Joel Lazarus who returns home after his father Dr. Jonathan Lazarus dies by suicide.
Plagued by “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”.
Prepare for some serious mind-scramblage.
Recently sitting down with This Morning presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd, actor Bill Nighy described the Harlan Coben series Lazarus as a “highly convoluted murder fest”.
“There’s so much death. I got drip-fed the episodes when I was reading [the scripts] and I kept thinking I had it – that she did it, he did it, and it turned out to be a total surprise. It’ll drive you crazy,” he further teased, before lavishing the show’s “sensational” art department with compliments.
“When I walked on the set for the first time it’s the size of a cathedral. You just think, ‘Well I’d better be good!’ It was like you’d walked onto the set of Batman or something. It’s a beautiful piece of work.”
Lazarus cast includes bonafide British legend
Starring as the show’s looming presence Dr. Lazarus is Oscar-nominated veteran Bill Nighy, 75.
Bill’s work has straddled both the blockbuster and indie darling spheres, with the odd comedy chucked in for good measure. You may remember him as faded rock star Billy Mack in Love Actually; tentacle-faced pirate Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, or the title character’s stepdad in Shaun of the Dead.
Also in the juicy Lazarus cast is Hunger Games favourite Sam Claflin as forensic psychiatrist Joel Lazarus.
“As soon as I got to the end of episode one, I very quickly pleaded to have the second one,” he said of the scripts. “I was really interested in the character, the subject, the themes – but unlike Harlan’s previous work, I felt that this had an even deeper grit to it.
“It felt more evolved in a way, the fact that they had elements of humour in there, as well as the elements of horror and the psychological thriller aspect that Harlan Coben is known for. I just wanted to know more. So, it wasn’t long before I jumped on – I mean in truth I bit their hand off.”
The 39-year-old’s most broadly enjoyed roles include real-life politician Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders and Will Traynor in Me Before You.
Who else stars in Lazarus?
As the “very spiritual” Jenna Lazarus we have Alexandra Roach, whose outstanding CV boasts ‘masterful thriller’ Nightsleeper.
“Jenna is Lazarus’ sister and when we first meet her, the whole family is reeling from the recent loss of their father. Lazarus’ return sets everything in motion. It’s the spark that reignites old wounds and launches the story,” noted the Welsh actress.
“She stayed at home with her dad since losing their mum as a kid and has been really close with him. Whereas Lazarus has gone off and lived his life. So, I think it’s tough for them to fall back into a family dynamic, but that’s what I loved about this story – it’s the complex sibling relationship that they have.”
Alexandra also played Becky in Channel 4’s cult conspiracy gem Utopia, and DS Freers in police procedural No Offence.
Meanwhile, David Fynn stars as DS Seth McGovern, who “takes his job very seriously and likes to do things by the book”.
In a series two episode of The Inbetweeners, David’s mechanic Wolfie terrorised Will McKenzie during work experience at a garage. He’s since secured jobs on the likes of Game of Thrones, and The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe.
Stepping into the shoes of Bella Catton is Karla Crome, arguably best known for her turn as faerie Tourmaline Larou in Carnival Row. She’s also known for Toxic Town, and Misfits.
Kate Ashfield also appears in Lazarus as Detective Alison Brown. She’s best known for playing Liz in Shaun of the Dead, and Jools Gates in Line of Duty.
Shameless star Jack Deam, The Reckoning’s Sianad Gregory, and The Wheel of Time’s Narinder Samra bulk out the cast.
Where was Harlan Coben series Lazarus filmed?
The new Harlan Coben project began shooting in the north of England in February 2024.
Locations included Manchester’s Chinatown, King Street, and Ducie Street; Liverpool’s Stanley Dock, Sefton Park, and Georgian Quarter, plus The Midland Hotel in Morecambe. (It’s a four-starrer, incase you were interested).
How many episodes will there be? When’s the start date?
The new Harlan Coben series Lazarus will start on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
There are six episodes in total, although the length of each instalment has not been specified. It’s safe to assume they’ll last between 45 and 60 minutes.
Prime Video will stream the episodes on a weekly basis.
How can I watch Lazarus?
Prime Video subscribers are able to stream the series.
If you don’t have an account yet, it’ll cost you either £8.99 per month or £95 per year.
Read more: Missing You star Richard Armitage: Why he keeps returning to Harlan Coben
