In a candid revelation that offers a rare glimpse into the actor’s psyche, Sam Claflin has opened up about the profound personal impact of filming Harlan Coben’s new Prime Video series, Lazarus. Describing the experience as a “breakdown” that ultimately led to a “spiritual awakening,” Claflin found the role of grieving psychiatrist Joel Lazarus to be unexpectedly therapeutic, allowing him to shed the “masks” he’d worn for much of his career and confront deep-seated emotions.
For fans of Sam Claflin, known for his diverse roles from the charismatic Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire to the complex frontman Billy Dunne in Daisy Jones & the Six, his latest venture into Harlan Coben’s thrilling world in Lazarus presents not just another captivating performance, but a deeply personal journey. The English actor, who turns 40 next June, confessed that portraying Joel Lazarus prompted a profound period of self-reflection and emotional honesty.
Claflin shared with People that the past year of his life has been marked by significant breakthroughs, many of them unanticipated. His role as the grieving psychiatrist, Joel, who grapples with his father’s suspected suicide and a past family tragedy, provided a unique opportunity for Claflin to explore parts of himself he had long suppressed. “It definitely was new territory,” Claflin stated, acknowledging the parallels between himself and his character. He noted that unlike many previous roles where he could “hide behind masks or characters or physicality,” this felt like “it was me.”
Confronting the ‘Masks’ of a Career and a Lifetime
Throughout his career, Claflin admits to a tendency to conceal his true self. “Most of my career, I was hiding behind different masks,” he confessed. This wasn’t merely a professional strategy but a lifelong pattern. “I’ve spent my entire life not really understanding who I am, and hiding or suppressing my emotions and not facing the facts, and yeah, I guess hiding or lying to myself,” he explained to People.
The intense emotional demands of playing Joel Lazarus, a character burdened by immense grief and suspicion, forced Claflin to dig deeper within himself. He described the filming as an “emotionally, mentally and physically… very draining experience,” according to Metro. Yet, this challenging process proved invaluable. “I’ve definitely opened myself up a lot more to how I feel, and not needing or wanting everyone to like me anymore,” he told People, emphasizing a shift from seeking external validation to prioritizing his own emotions.
A ‘Spiritual Awakening’ Through Art
Claflin articulated that inhabiting Joel’s character enabled him to undergo a personal transformation. “I think there was something so noble about exploring that through the shoes, the eyes of somebody else,” he reflected. Approaching his 40th birthday, the actor recognized that this period of introspection might be linked to a common life milestone. “Maybe it’s an age thing,” he mused. “I’m reaching 40 next year, and I think a lot of — not just men, but women, too — spend our lives hiding or suppressing these feelings or these experiences, only for them to erupt at a later time, which is why we so commonly hear the phrase midlife crisis.”
For Claflin, portraying Joel Lazarus facilitated his own version of a “midlife crisis,” characterized by breakthroughs rather than mere breakdowns. “It’s definitely led to that for me in a wonderful way. It’s really made me see myself and the world around me differently,” he revealed to People. He candidly admitted, “I needed to address some issues in my life, and I’ve been busy doing that since we finished filming, basically.” The actor, a father of two, views this process as “opening Pandora’s box” within himself, ultimately expressing gratitude for what he calls “a ‘spiritual awakening.'”
The Allure of Harlan Coben’s Masterful Storytelling
Beyond the personal resonance of the character, Harlan Coben’s involvement was a significant draw for Claflin. Coben is renowned for his intricate, cliffhanger thrillers that expertly puncture the suburban dream, from The Stranger to Fool Me Once. Claflin praised Coben as “the best in the business at what he does, without a shadow of a doubt,” in his interview with Metro. The actor noted that the quality of the script, even from the first episode, immediately hooked him, making him eager to uncover each subsequent twist and turn.
Unpacking the Mystery of ‘Lazarus’
In Harlan Coben’s Lazarus, Claflin stars as Joel Lazarus, a psychiatrist who returns home following the death of his father, Dr. L (played by Bill Nighy), which is presumed to be a suicide but Joel is not convinced. As he grapples with his grief, Joel begins to experience disturbing phenomena that defy explanation. The series quickly plunges him into a cold-case murder investigation, intertwining the mystery of his father’s death with the unsolved murder of his sister 25 years prior. The series premiered all six episodes on Prime Video on Wednesday, October 22.
The themes of Lazarus — grief, trauma, and therapy — resonate deeply with Claflin’s current philosophical outlook. He believes many people, particularly men, suppress feelings and experiences only for them to emerge later in life. “A lot of people can resonate with hiding or suppressing their emotions, and this is all about speaking a truth and being honest,” he told Metro, emphasizing the show’s core message of not hiding from one’s true self.
Claflin’s Evolving Authenticity on Screen
Since his breakthrough in 2013, Sam Claflin has consistently sought challenging roles. While he garnered acclaim for romance films like Love, Rosie (2014) and Me Before You (2016), he has openly expressed a desire to showcase different facets of his acting prowess. His compelling performance as Billy Dunne in 2023’s Daisy Jones & the Six highlighted his ability to embody complex characters with raw authenticity. This evolution, he believes, is tied to his increasing life experience. “I feel like the older I get, the more authenticity I can bring to roles,” he stated, finding a “therapeutic” quality in drawing on real-life events to inhabit his characters.
Fans eager for updates on his other projects might have to wait. Claflin shared that a second season of Daisy Jones & the Six appears to have “gone cold for a little bit,” though the “desire is there” among the cast. Similarly, he hasn’t heard anything regarding a potential return to Peaky Blinders, humorously noting he’s “rubbish keeping secrets.”
Ultimately, Harlan Coben’s Lazarus represents more than just a gripping thriller; it marks a significant chapter in Sam Claflin’s personal and professional life. His willingness to delve into the depths of his own emotions through the character of Joel Lazarus not only promises a powerful performance for viewers but also serves as a testament to the transformative potential of art and self-discovery.
