The Lazarus Project’s Paapa Essiedu on the future of the series: ‘We've got big ambitions for it’

Virgin Radio

17 Jun 2022, 10:42

Actor Paapa Essiedu joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky this morning (17 June) to talk about his new series, The Lazarus Project. 

Written and created by Joe Barton, the sci-fi thriller follows George (Essiedu), who wakes up one morning to find himself reliving a day he has already lived. Following this strange turn of events, he is recruited into The Lazarus Project- a secret organisation that has harnessed the ability to turn back time whenever the world is at threat of extinction. 

Speaking about the concept of the series, the actor explained that the world is at peril quite often, and real events inspired the storyline.

He said: “In the series, it happens all the time. You know, back in 1985, there was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and in the 1980s, there was a war between Pakistan and India. There is even a COVID adjacent thing that happens.

“Joe Barton, who is the writer, said that he was in talks with an ex-military guy who told him that we’re always on the edge of World War Three.”

Essiedu’s character is one of the 0.0001% of the population that has a genetic mutation, meaning when time is turned back, he actually notices it. This mutation brings him to the attention of a woman called Archie, who drafts him into the top-secret international organisation, and he has to help stop extinction-level events from happening. 

Not only is it high concept, but The Lazarus Project is also packed with action, and the actor admitted he did a lot of his own stunts. 

He told Chris: "It's so funny because like when you're doing those high octane stunts, it's so health and safety oriented. Everything is so precise, and then you watch it in the final cut and it looks like Armageddon.

“That's another brilliant thing about the show, we're looking at cinematic, huge-scale action alongside a kind of sci-fi concept with an emotional character- and it's fun.”

Of course, the big question on everyone’s lips is, 'will there be another series?’

According to Essiedu, this is very much on the cards. 

He revealed: “We’ve got big ambitions for it, and there’s definitely lots of whispers about writers' rooms, etc. Yeah, we just hope people enjoy it. We enjoyed making it and I know Joe’s got big ideas for where we could go with these characters.”

We can’t wait to see what they have got up their sleeves next!

The Lazarus Project, which began last night at 9pm on Sky Max, airing weekly on Thursdays.

For more great interviews listen to  The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or  catch up on-demand here.