Over a decade after charming global audiences as the charismatic Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Sam Claflin has continued to prove his range with roles that oscillate between heroic, romantic and darkly complex.
From his early turn in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides to the deeply moving Me Before You and his chilling portrayal of Oswald Mosley in Peaky Blinders, Claflin has built a reputation for versatility and emotional depth. His latest project, Harlan Coben’s Lazarus, sees him step into a more psychologically charged territory as a grieving psychiatrist unraveling reality itself.
Claflin stars as Joel Lazarus, a man haunted by the sudden death of his father, played by the ever-brilliant Bill Nighy. When Joel returns
home, the boundaries between truth and delusion blur as he begins to experience inexplicable events connected to his family’s dark past.
“I think it was the story that captivated me more than the role itself,” Claflin tells News18 in an exclusive interview. “I was reading episode one and needed to read episode two straight away, and that’s always a good sign of a good story.”
The eight-part thriller, created by New York Times best-selling author Harlan Coben and BAFTA-winner Danny Brocklehurst, explores grief, guilt and the persistence of the past. For Claflin, the role was as personal as it was professional. “I think I’m going through similar things not the same, not quite as traumatic as what Joel’s experienced but definitely demons of the past creeping in,” he admits. “It was important for me to explore this type of character. I love that he’s very flawed as a human; that’s always exciting to play.”
He also spoke about reuniting with Bill Nighy after Their Finest. “Well, I mean, I looked up to him like a father. He’s more of a god, I’d say,” Claflin laughs, his admiration palpable. “I’ve been a fan of his work for so long, and although we only shared glimpses of screen time in Their Finest, I just cherish that man so much. He’s an absolute professional, came in so prepared. We only had about two weeks of filming together, and it was an intense roller coaster of emotions — physically, mentally, emotionally draining.”
The two actors’ onscreen dynamic, a son mourning a father’s death, mirrored their real-life rapport. “He just brings such energy,” Claflin continues. “He’s so generous and giving, not only as an actor but as a person. He makes it so easy, even when the material isn’t. He pushed me and made me feel like I could do anything. He’s just an incredible man.”
As Lazarus continues to captivate global audiences with its mix of psychological suspense and human vulnerability, Claflin’s global fanbase including his massive following in India remains eager to see what he does next.
Known widely across the country for his romantic roles in Me Before You and Love, Rosie, as well as his charming presence in Enola Holmes, Claflin’s connection with Indian audiences runs deep.
When asked if he would like to shoot a film in India someday, his eyes light up. “I’ve always said that one of the great things about this job is getting to film in incredible places and learning about new cultures,” he says earnestly. “I’ve never had the opportunity to go to India yet, but my hope and desire are that one day work will be the reason I go out there. If not, I feel like I need to come out just to explore to experience India in all its glory.”
He smiles as he recalls stories from a close friend. “I have a friend who lives in Goa and speaks so highly of it. He’s married to an Indian girl,” Claflin shares warmly. “So, yes, I need to come out, to see, to experience everything really. It’s on the list.”
Lazarus is currently streaming on Prime Video.
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