The Lazarus Project is an exciting TV series that combines sci-fi time travel with deep human emotion. The main character, George (Paapa Essiedu), turns a complex story of time travel into a deeply personal journey.
George's ten iconic moments reveal his confusion, heartbreak, moral struggles, and efforts to survive, highlighting Essiedu's role as the emotional core of the series.
Disclaimer: This article is based solely on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
A list of 10 George (Paapa Essiedu) moments from The Lazarus Project:
10. Bryson strangles George

In S2 E7 of The Lazarus Project, George confronts an older, more hardened version of Bryson. Their fight is intense. Bryson, now hostile and filled with pain, strangles George to death. But death isn't the end. Time rewinds, and George wakes up again, out of breath, caught in a resettlement loop. Paapa Essiedu does an excellent job capturing the trauma and confusion of being trapped in this twisted time loop. His eyes show a man trying to survive despite his breaking point.
The emotional toll of living through resets is clear in this scene. Essiedu's performance shows empathy, giving the sci-fi scenario a realistic feel. George's fear is relatable and you understand him. The show is about the soul, not just time, as this scene powerfully shows.
9. George is bonded by photo with Janet and Bryson

In episode 3 of season 2 of The Lazarus Project, George finds an old photograph from 2012 showing Janet, young Becky, and a younger Bryson. The image reveals emotional clarity and a hint. George learns that everyone is interconnected and that the story has been time-warping for a long time.
Paapa Essiedu reflects on this discovery with hushed horror, showing through his face that he doesn't need long speeches. His eyes fixed on the picture reveal how time and memory weigh him down, creating a sense of sudden weight for viewers. George shifts from a puzzle-solver to a tortured man, and Essiedu’s subtle performance makes the series feel deeply human.
8. George meets adult Becky on the London Underground

George encounters an adult Becky on the London Tube in S2 E3. It's a strange experience since he last remembered her as a child. She has traveled through time and has grown up. Becky responds to him with a sharp remark:
“Do the arithmetic.”
Paapa Essiedu does an excellent job of conveying George's surprise and confusion. You can see the shock on his face, but there's also a hint of concern, as if he's worried about losing control of time. This scene is very powerful because it feels like a dream fulfilled. Essiedu gives George a sense of steadiness even in this strange situation.
7. George watches Wes in a historical lecture by Dr. Gray

In S2 E5 of The Lazarus Project, George revisits Dr. Kitty Gray's old university lecture. In the video, he sees his employer, Wes, secretly seated in the back. This changes George's perception of everything. It suggests that Wes might have known more than she has revealed. Paapa Essiedu subtly handles George's growing distrust. His eyes are cautious, but he remains alert.
The scene is clever, and Essiedu adds tension without raising his voice. This moment makes you a fan because it shows George's development. He is not just reacting but also researching, studying, and observing. Essiedu delivers a layered performance, making this a compelling tribute to his skill in this TV show.
6. George analyzes scientists' identities by their shoes and ring

George discusses the Time Break Initiative and key scientists in Season 2 Episode 6 of The Lazarus Project. He highlights graffiti trainers worn by one scientist and a ring on another corpse. These clues lead him to Berlin and Switzerland, where he finds the network of scientists who built the time machine.
This detective work is made personal and tense by Paapa Essiedu. His insightful sentences show how he logically pieces the puzzle together, revealing George's intelligence, keenness, and his drive.
5. George's confession to Wes

It is revealed to George in Season 2 of The Lazarus Project that his research shows Wes created the loop using the Initiative. Wes is in the audience when Dr. Gray's lecture is recorded. This is enough to anger George and raise suspicions that his boss may be more involved in the scheme.
Paapa Essiedu's quiet intensity speaks for itself, and he plays the scene with careful restraint. George's suffering and increasing mistrust are clear. The stark conflict between project-based loyalty and the search for truth is also evident.
Paapa Essiedu realistically builds the suspense. He depicts a man who is both determined and conflicted. George undergoes a radical change, and Paapa Essiedu conveys ambiguity, pain, and resolve in a single look.
4. George shoots Shiv to stop the chaos

In S2 E8 of The Lazarus Project, George faces a radical choice. He uses his time-traveling ability to shoot Shiv and feed Sarah to prevent a worse disaster. The strain on George is immense and could make all the difference. There is intense emotion and a moment of regret conveyed through Paapa Essiedu. He does not use violence thoughtlessly. His voice cracks when he reveals the truth to Sarah, but he stays firm.
You feel a mix of pain, guilt, and determination. Essiedu captures George’s desperation and willingness to face the consequences. Even amid violence, this raw honesty contributes to The Lazarus Project's tragically human ending. It’s powerful how Essiedu shows his fearlessness in such a vulnerable moment.
3. George holds a detonator

In Season 1, Episode 5 of The Lazarus Project, George finds the Lost Glory nuclear bomb and the detonator. He plans to trigger a nuclear World War III, hoping it will force Lazarus to rewind time and save Sarah. This scene shows George crossing a moral line. Paapa Essiedu captures this terrifying moment with chilling detail.
It’s unsettling to see how he holds his hand, with both fingers around the detonator, and his eyes shifting from defeat to resolve. You can’t help but feel uncomfortable and sympathetic. Essiedu portrays George's grief and obsession authentically, striking a balance between logic and emotion with just a gesture.
That silent scene shows how far the character is willing to go and how Essiedu can make science fiction feel emotional. It explains why The Lazarus Project stays strong through his performance.
2. George begs Rebrov in the prison cell

Sarah has already died in Season 1, Episode 3 of The Lazarus Project, and George is in shock. He finds out that Rebrov, the traitorous agent, is in jail and confronts him. George asks for his help to reset the timeline and bring Sarah back. He says he's willing to do anything, even jeopardize the world, to reverse her death.
Paapa Essiedu shows pure sorrow and despair. You can feel his pain and his challenge to morals that seem worthless compared to love. Essiedu makes George's grief feel real enough that you want to comfort him through the screen. This show feels authentic because of that passion and emotional honesty, which makes Essiedu impossible not to root for.
1. George googles "time loops" & convinces Sarah she's pregnant

In a pilot episode of the TV series The Lazarus Project, George wakes up to discover that the same thing is happening again. He looks up the term "time loops" on Google and tries to explain to Sarah that they are a recurring temporal line. He even helps her to do a pregnancy test to keep her informed. Sarah advises him to see a therapist because she is worried about him.
Paapa Essiedu depicts George's confusion and fear with gentle understanding. His anxiety appears genuine, as does his love. This contradiction between fragility and strength makes his character relatable.