Peaky Blinders star leads 'gripping' new Harlan Coben mystery thriller

Prime Video is serving up what promises to be a 'mind bending' psychological thriller from the brilliant mind of acclaimed crime author Harlan Coben. The best-selling writer, whose books have also inspired Netflix thrillers Fool Me Once and Stay Close, is back with a new limited series.

The show, which has a working title of Lazarus, packs a star-studded cast, including Sam Claflin, who played Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders and Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games fame. Legendary British actor Bill Nighy and Killing Eve's Alexandra Roach are also set to star in the series, which is based on an original story idea by Coben and BAFTA-winner Danny Brocklehurst.

The synopsis from Prime Video reads: "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 show Claflin, who will also serve as executive producer, plays protagonist Laz, "a well-respected forensic psychologist who has spent his whole life running from the pain of his past."

The description continues: "It is only now when he returns home that he is forced to finally face up to it."

Meanwhile, Nighy plays Laz's father, a psychologist called Doctor Lazarus. The father of three is "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 plays 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 produced by Quay Street Productions and Amazon MGM Studios in association with Final Twist Productions, airing exclusively on Prime Video.

Speaking to Radio Times about the new Project, Coben said: "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 also been described as "propulsive mystery thriller" with a "mind-bending" plot.

The show also appears to be based on the UK, as Caflin was previously spotted shooting scenes for it in the centre of Manchester.

Rola Bauer, head of Pan-English scripted SVOD TV at Amazon MGM Studios, said: "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."

While an official release date has not yet been announced, Lazarus is expected to arrive on Prime Video this Autumn.