You’re probably confused. If you search for the cast of Lazarus film, you might find yourself staring at a 2015 horror flick with Olivia Wilde or a 2021 indie action movie. But the one everybody is buzzing about right now? That’s the heavy-hitting 2025 British production based on Harlan Coben’s ideas.
It’s a weird one. It feels like a movie, looks like a movie, but technically it’s a high-budget limited series that Prime Video dropped late in 2025. Honestly, the talent involved is exactly why it’s trending. We’re talking about Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy sharing screen time in a story that’s part "ghost story" and part "unsolved murder mystery."
The Heavy Hitters: Claflin and Nighy
Sam Claflin plays Joel "Laz" Lazarus. Most of us remember him as Finnick Odair from The Hunger Games, but here, he’s much more grounded and, frankly, a bit of a mess. He’s a forensic psychologist who has to move back to his childhood home after a family tragedy. Claflin does this "barely holding it together" thing really well.
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Then there’s Bill Nighy. The man is a legend. In this project, he plays Dr. Jonathan Lazarus, the father. Here’s the kicker: his character dies by suicide in the very first episode. But don’t think he’s barely in it. Because of the "visions" or "ghosts" Joel starts seeing, Nighy is a constant presence. He pops up in flashbacks and as a manifestation of Joel's fractured mind.
The Rest of the Lazarus Family
The dynamics in this cast are what make the show work.
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- Alexandra Roach (who you might know from Utopia or The Iron Lady) plays Jenna Lazarus. She’s the sister who stayed behind. While Joel is skeptical and scientific, Jenna is into Reiki and tarot. It’s a classic sibling clash that feels very real.
- David Fynn plays Seth McGovern. He’s the "best friend" character but with a twist—he’s a cop. This gives the family a direct line to the investigations that start opening up. Fynn brings some much-needed lightness to a pretty dark script.
- Kate Ashfield is DCI Alison Brown. She was a close friend of the father and now has to balance her professional duties with the fact that she’s basically family to these kids.
Why Does This Cast Matter?
Usually, when you see a "cast of Lazarus film" list, you expect a bunch of B-movie actors. But Harlan Coben projects have started attracting A-list talent. Having Bill Nighy involved basically guarantees a certain level of gravitas. The chemistry between Claflin and Roach feels authentic, like they’ve actually spent thirty years arguing about their parents.
It’s also worth mentioning Edward Hogg, who plays Sam Olsen. He’s a creepy, pivotal character linked to a murder that happened 25 years ago. If you like those "wait, is he the bad guy?" performances, he’s the one to watch.
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A Quick Reality Check on Titles
Because there are so many "Lazarus" projects, people often get the actors mixed up.
- The Lazarus Effect (2015): This is the one with Olivia Wilde, Donald Glover, and Evan Peters. It’s about scientists bringing people back from the dead in a lab.
- Lazarus (2021): An action movie starring Sean Riggs and Costas Mandylor. It’s more of a superhero/vigilante thing.
- Lazareth (2024): A thriller starring Ashley Judd about a woman protecting her nieces in a post-apocalyptic world.
The cast of Lazarus film (the 2025 one) is strictly the Claflin/Nighy/Roach ensemble. If you’re seeing names like Sarah Pidgeon or Katie Douglas, you’re looking at the 2024 Ashley Judd film instead.
What to Do Next
If you haven't started it yet, pull up Prime Video and look for "Harlan Coben's Lazarus." Pay close attention to the scenes between Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy in the second episode—the way they handle the "hallucination" aspect is genuinely some of the best acting either of them has done lately.
Also, keep an eye on Curtis Tennant. He plays Aidan Catton. It's his first big role, and he absolutely holds his own against the more seasoned actors. It's pretty rare to see a newcomer fit into such a heavy-duty cast without looking out of place.