The 100% RT Sci-Fi Series Starring Harry Potter’s New Snape Is Leaving Netflix

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Paapa Essiedu has a grave expression in The Lazarus Project

Published Jan 25, 2026, 7:00 PM EST

Rahul Malhotra is a Weekend News Writer for Collider. From Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he'll watch anything once.

He has been writing for Collider for over two years, and has covered everything from Marvel to the Oscars, and Marvel at the Oscars. He also writes obsessively about the box office, charting the many hits and misses that are released weekly, and how their commercial performance shapes public perception. In his time at Collider, he has also helped drive diversity by writing stories about the multiple Indian film industries, with a goal to introduce audiences to a whole new world of cinema.

Swing and a miss > measured victory. Also, #JusticeForHan. (He/Him).

Released in 2022, the British sci-fi series The Lazarus Project became an instant critical darling, but never quite broke out like it deserved to. The show's creator, Joe Barton, would go on to make the hit Netflix spy series Black Doves, headlined by Keira Knightley. His breakout show, Giri/Haji, debuted domestically on Netflix and earned unanimous praise as well. Barton is certainly experiencing something of a purple patch with his hat-trick of positively received shows, although two of them were canceled prematurely. Giri/Haji lasted just one season, while The Lazarus Project survived for two. It remains to be seen if Black Doves makes it past its upcoming second installment. All three series are currently available on Netflix, but The Lazarus Project is on its way out, which doesn't leave you with much time to watch it if you haven't.

Headlined by Paapa Essiedu, the show revolved around a secret society with information about the intricacies of time that nobody else has. The Lazarus Project also featured Tom Burke — he's best known for starring in the BBC series Strike, based on J.K. Rowling's detective novels, and for playing a memorable supporting role in George Miller's sci-fi prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The Lazarus Project combined elements of time-loop storytelling with espionage drama, and received universal acclaim. It's currently sitting at a perfect 100% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the first season's consensus reads, "The Lazarus Project smartly balances compelling action and intelligent sci-fi in its first season, adding up to an imaginative, addictive watch."

Paapa Essiedu's Career Is Taking Off

Describing it as "one of Netflix’s most underrated sci-fi series of the past decade," Collider's Jen Vestuto wrote, "With sharp writing, standout performances and a gripping conceit, The Lazarus Project represents the best version of modern television sci-fi." Despite the acclaim, however, the show was canceled after a second season of eight episodes concluded its run in 2024. It has been available on Netflix domestically since June 2025. Essiedu broke out with a major role in HBO's I May Destroy You, and has appeared in two Black Mirror installments. Fans all over the world will appreciate his talents when he debuts as Severus Snape in HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series adaptation, and the new show Falling, from Adolescence writer Jack Thorne.