Fifteen years ago, Game of Thrones premiered and forever changed television, turning its cast into household names. While stars like Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke are forever linked to Westeros, fans love exploring their earlier roles. For Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who brought the complex Jaime Lannister to life, one such role came three years before the HBO epic: the lead in Fox's short-lived fantasy procedural New Amsterdam.
In New Amsterdam, Coster-Waldau played John Amsterdam, a New York City homicide detective with an extraordinary secret: he's immortal. Born in 1607, John was granted eternal life at age 35 after saving a Native American woman. The catch? He can only age and die once he finds his true soulmate. The series followed John as he solved crimes with his partner Eva Marquez (Zuleikha Robinson), all while grappling with the possibility that he might finally have met the one who could end his centuries-long existence.
What set New Amsterdam apart from other procedurals was its use of flashbacks to key moments in John's life, set against major historical events like the American Civil War and Prohibition. This blend of episodic crime-solving with a deeper character study made it a perfect showcase for Coster-Waldau's talents. As John Amsterdam, he portrayed a man who had lived multiple lifetimes, each shaping him into the complicated hero viewers saw on screen. This was excellent preparation for his role as Jaime Lannister, who also underwent a profound transformation from villain to anti-hero.
Today, network procedurals are more popular than ever, with shows like NCIS and 9-1-1 drawing massive audiences. New Amsterdam feels like it would fit right in, with its case-of-the-week format and the ongoing hook of John's quest for love. The series also explored intriguing relationships, including John's bond with his 65-year-old son Omar (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and his dynamic with the skeptical Eva.
Unfortunately, New Amsterdam only aired eight episodes before Fox canceled it due to low ratings. Even more frustrating for fans, the series is nearly impossible to find today. It's not available on any streaming service or for purchase, with only poor-quality bootlegs occasionally surfacing on YouTube. This is a shame, as the show could have become a cult classic, especially with Coster-Waldau's Game of Thrones fame drawing new viewers.
Other shows have since attempted similar premises, like ABC's Forever in 2014, but New Amsterdam remains a unique gem. For fans of fantasy procedurals and those who love seeing actors before they hit it big, this forgotten series is a must-see—if only it were easier to find. For more on great fantasy storytelling, check out our list of fantasy series that master storytelling beyond Westeros.
In the meantime, Coster-Waldau's performance as John Amsterdam stands as a testament to his ability to bring depth to complex characters. Whether he's playing a disgraced knight or an immortal detective, he always finds the humanity beneath the surface. And for those lucky enough to track down New Amsterdam, it's a fascinating glimpse at a star on the rise.
