Entertainment
‘Game of Thrones’ Fans Forgot One of Its Best Stars First Headlined This Wild Immortal Detective Series
For eight seasons, Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was part of the all-star cast of Game of Thrones. Playing the arrogant yet charming Jaime Lannister, Coster-Waldau took viewers on a journey, one that followed his controversial character on a path of redemption all around the Seven Kingdoms. But while his work in Game of Thrones will forever be remembered, Coster-Waldau also starred in another must-watch series three years before the George R. R. Martin-inspired series premiered back in 2011. Three years earlier, in 2008, Coster-Waldau was the lead in New Amsterdam, a one-season detective series with a twist.
What Is ‘New Amsterdam’ About?
New Amsterdam follows Coster-Waldau’s character, Detective John Amsterdam, as he works as a homicide detective in New York City. But the series is far from a cookie-cutter procedural. Below his witty charm and undeniable intelligence, Amsterdam is hiding a secret. Back in 1642, Amsterdam saved the life of a Native American girl and, in return, a Lenape shaman blessed (or cursed) him with an ancient spell of immortality. After that, Amsterdam, who’s 417 years old in present-day Manhattan, hasn’t aged at all, and would only begin to age when he finds his one true love. “This character embodies both the pleasures of immortality and, at the same time, the desperate longing to find his soulmate, whatever the cost,” said New Amsterdam executive producer David Mason in a behind-the-scenes video.
In each episode, Amsterdam solves the murder cases presented to him, each of them evoking some memory from his centuries-spanning life. He has flashbacks to his time in the civil war, the great depression, the glamour of the 50s, and much more. Alongside him in his investigation is new detective Eva Marquez (Zuleikha Robinson), whose natural banter and chemistry with Amsterdam helps them solve cases, while teasing a possible romantic connection between them.
Also important to the series is Alexie Gilmore‘s character, Dr. Sara Dillane. As one of the doctors who treated Amsterdam when he died temporarily from a heart attack, she was one of the first people to raise suspicions over the secrets Amsterdam’s been hiding. The two begin a relationship, and Amsterdam becomes convinced that she’s the one true love he’s been searching for. Another important character is Omar York (Stephen McKinley Henderson), the owner of Omar’s Bar & Grill, and Amsterdam’s closest friend and confidant.
‘New Amsterdam’ Is Far From a Traditional Detective Series
From the description alone, it’s safe to say New Amsterdam is quite an untraditional detective series. After all, while Amsterdam uses his impressive life experience to solve gruesome cases, he’s also on a journey of his own. In his personal life, he’s constantly trying to form connections with women to finally discover his one true love. Over the years, he’s been in countless relationships, and had a reported 63 children, but none of his relationships have proven to be with “The One.”
As a result, the series had emotional turmoil at his heart, with Amsterdam going through his own struggles with love, relationships and his immortality gift that felt like a curse at times. The show also expertly approaches topics of life and immortality with heart and sincerity, making viewers reflect on their own lives and pursuits as a result. Does love really make life worth living? If you hadn’t met your soulmate, would you also want to be immortal until you do?
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‘New Amsterdam’ Set Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Up for Success Before ‘Game of Thrones’
While we may never know if Game of Thrones casting directors watched New Amsterdam before hiring him, it’s safe to say his character Amsterdam gave a glimpse of the complex, morally gray hero Coster-Waldau could become as Jaime Lannister. As Amsterdam, Coster-Waldau not only showed how he can carry a show as its leading man, but portrayed a character with heart who’s still flawed and riddled with internal conflict. While both characters certainly have differing backgrounds and motivations, – aka years of heartbreak and existential crisis versus years at war as the so-called “Kingslayer” – both of them are similar in that they’ve both been through years of trauma and sacrifice and hide it all over a hard-edged and charismatic surface.
The same goes for Coster-Waldau’s natural charisma and charm onscreen. Given Amsterdam’s unrelenting search for true love throughout the series, he’s a notorious flirt and tease, one who sparks a connection with just about anyone he shares the scene with. Those talents were certainly also used later on as Jaime, someone who had a questionable yet sincere connection with his sister Cersei (Lena Headey) and palpable tensions with Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie).
With that said, while the 2008 series New Amsterdam was canceled by Fox after just eight episodes of Season 1, the series is a must-watch gripping detective series with a unique twist. With Coster-Waldau giving a powerhouse performance in the leading role, the series shines as being much more than a procedural, and approaches major issues like life, death, love and the curse of immortality. It’s also a telling glimpse into Coster-Waldau’s impressive acting chops before entering the world of Game of Thrones.
- Release Date
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2008 – 2008-00-00
- Network
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FOX
- Directors
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Bobby Roth, John David Coles, Ken Girotti, Lasse Hallström
- Writers
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Barry Pullman
Cast
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Chazz Menendez
Uniform Cop
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Daniel Raymont
Max Filshie
