According to Richard Osman, the cast of The Thursday Murder Club film adaptation, based on his best-selling novel, is “insanely great.” The murder mystery follows a group of friends in a retirement home who solve cold cases for fun but soon find themselves entangled in a real murder investigation. The film will be written and directed by Chris Columbus, known for his work on the Harry Potter franchise, and will begin production in June.
Osman teased the casting news via social media, promising that “official announcements [are] coming very soon.” It has since been confirmed that Hollywood stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley have signed on to the project. Mirren will portray ex-spy Elizabeth, Brosnan will play former union activist Ron, and Kingsley will take on the role of ex-psychiatrist Ibrahim.
The fourth main character, retired nurse Joyce, has yet to be cast. Osman hinted at the possibility of the role going to a well-known actor, saying, “Joyce, we’re still in negotiations, but again, the name is the one that people most shout at me in the street.” He added, “Lots more casting to come in the following weeks.”
The novel, a record-breaking success, was the fastest-selling adult crime debut in history. Set in the fictional Kentish town of Fairhaven, it features four friends solving the murder of a property developer. The book sold 45,000 copies in its first three days of release in 2020 and has spawned four sequels, with a fifth planned for publication next year.
The film adaptation has been in development since 2020, when Stephen Spielberg’s Amblin Partners secured the rights. There was much speculation about the cast, with many readers of the novel offering their own predictions. The announcement of Mirren, Brosnan, and Kingsley has been met with enthusiasm from fans.
Osman, known for his role on the quiz show Pointless, also revealed that the film will be shot in England from “the end of June to September.” The production team is eager to share further casting updates in the coming weeks.
