Sam Claflin reveals he ‘went through a breakdown’ after draining Harlan Coben thriller

Whether you’re reading or watching one of Harlan Coben’s cliffhanger thrillers, it can be a pretty stressful experience at the best of times.

The New Jersey writer has made a career out of puncturing the Suburban family dream, from his addictively tense series The Stranger to Netflix’s Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan.

But to be an actual character in his plot who lives through these twists and turns – it’s a whole other level, as Sam Claflin tells me.

Speaking to Metro ahead of the release of his new Amazon Prime Video series, Lazarus, the 39-year-old Daisy Jones & The Six star seems relieved that the filming of the show is over.

‘My character Lazarus is obviously going through a breakdown,’ he tells me.

‘And in all honesty, I went through a breakdown after filming, partly because through exhaustion.

‘Emotionally, mentally and physically it was a very draining experience, but one that I relished and was so grateful for.’

The series in question is a breathless thriller that sees his character, Lazarus, return home to find that his father (Bill Nighy) has committed suicide.

Over the course of the next six episodes, Lazarus begins to have disturbing experiences that can’t be explained.

Relying upon the help of his sister, Jenna (Alexandra Roach), he then 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.

Asked what attracted him to the project, he says: ‘They initially sent just one episode and I got to the end of that episode and was desperate to read another, which assured me that this was a good sign.

‘With each episode, I needed to know what happens next. It had me hooked from the beginning.’

After telling me that he was a huge fan of Fool Me Once, he adds: ‘Harlan’s writing is just… he’s the best. He’s the best in the business at what he does, without a shadow of doubt.’

Delving into his preparation for the role, he continues: ‘I just had to play everything for real without thinking of any twists or turns from the beginning.

‘I was living in the moment and thinking, my dad’s dead, how would that make me feel? There was less in the way of preparing for things.’

After announcing himself to Hollywood in 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the Suffolk born actor continues to reinvent himself on screen.

Despite hugely strong performances in two romance movies Love, Rosie (2014) and Me Before You (2016), Claflin has been open about his desire to show a different side of himself.

This was evidenced by perhaps his best ever performance in 2023’s Daisy Jones & The Six, where he played front man Billy Dunne alongside Riley Keough.

Touching upon his latest role with Lazarus, that centres on grief, trauma and therapy, it’s clear to see his desire to take on complex and challenging roles.

‘I think I think a lot of men start having images flashing through nightmares or dreams [that are] triggered by something from your childhood,’ he tells me.

‘A lot of guys that I speak to are starting to look at the world differently and start the journey of self discovery, probably too late.

‘But I feel like [Lazarus] is very resonant. A lot of people can resonate with hiding or suppressing their emotions, and this is all about speaking a truth and being honest.

‘Everyone is lying about their past because they felt guilt or shame and this is really about not hiding from who you are and being vocal.’

While Lazarus was the clear focus of our chat, I couldn’t resist asking him about a potential update for a second season of Daisy Jones & The Six.

‘No, I haven’t heard anything for a while,’ he says with a sympathetic smile.

‘I think it’s gone cold for a little bit. But those who I have spoken to, everyone is keen to do a season two… the desire is there.’

But I wasn’t ready to quit just yet. Following the announcement of another Peaky Blinders TV season from Steven Knight, I ask Claflin whether we can expect to see him in this.

‘I haven’t heard anything, so I’m guessing not,’ he says, laughing. ‘I don’t know if they are already filming it, but I haven’t heard either way.’

As we finish off our chat, he assures me: ‘I would tell you. I’m rubbish keeping secrets.’

Amazon Prime Video’s Lazarus is available to watch from October 22.

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