Sam Claflin Discusses Shocking Twist in Lazarus Season Finale
The season finale of Harlan Coben’s series Lazarus, which premiered all six episodes on October 22, 2023, left audiences stunned with its unexpected twists. The show, featuring Sam Claflin as Joel, a forensic psychologist, delves into themes of family, loss, and the haunting past as Joel returns home following his father’s mysterious suicide.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Coben, who co-created the series with Danny Brocklehurst, discussed the implications of the finale and the potential for a second season. He stated, “We opened a little bit of a door to have a little fun with you at the end. But it’s not really a cliffhanger so much as it is, sort of, a door opener.” Coben emphasized that he would only pursue a second season if he believed it could surpass the first. He reassured fans that all key questions introduced in the first episode were resolved by the finale, asserting, “It is complete. Will there be a season 2? I don’t know.”
The plot of Lazarus unfolds as Joel cleans out his father’s office, where he begins to see apparitions of deceased patients linked to unresolved cases. The season culminated in a gripping revelation that three individuals were responsible for a series of murders tied to Joel’s family. The first killer, Sam Olsen (played by Edward Hogg), was a former classmate obsessed with Joel’s twin sister, Sutton (portrayed by Eloise Little), who he murdered two decades earlier. Despite his connection to the Lazarus family, Olsen did not kill any of the patients.
In a shocking twist, it was revealed that Joel’s father, Dr. L (played by Bill Nighy), had committed the murders. Faced with the exposure of his actions, Dr. L took his own life. The final blow came with the revelation of a third killer, which Claflin described as a “total wild card.” Earlier in the season, viewers learned that Joel had a son, Aidan (played by Curtis Tennant), with his ex-girlfriend Bella (portrayed by Karla Crome). The finale concluded with a chilling scene where Joel discovers Aidan holding a bloody sickle, implying that he was the final perpetrator, just before the screen faded to black.
Reflecting on the finale, Claflin shared, “The last episode completely blew my mind. I did not see it coming.” He speculated that Joel would survive the encounter, expressing hope for the character’s future. “I think Joel absolutely does not get killed. No way,” he remarked, suggesting a narrative akin to the series Dexter, where Joel could find ways to support Aidan.
Coben’s comments and Claflin’s insights leave the door open for a possible second season, contingent upon audience demand. Claflin noted, “There’s definitely room for a series two, but it’s not up to us. It’s up to an audience, and if people really want that.” For now, all episodes of Lazarus are available for streaming on Prime Video.
