Films
First look: The Thursday Murder Club film
Image credits: Giles Keyte/Netflix
It’s no secret that we love The Thursday Murder Club here on Dead Good. And now, our favourite crime series is getting the Hollywood treatment.
The film will be directed by Chris Columbus, of Harry Potter and Home Alone fame, and produced by Steven Spielberg. And, better yet, the characters of Elizabeth, Ron, Joyce and Ibrahim will be brought to life by a star-studded cast.
The Thursday Murder Club movie cast
Warm-hearted fan favourite Joyce Meadowcroft will be played by Celia Imrie, as Richard Osman announced to his Twitter/X fans.
Former spy and tough nut with a heart of gold Elizabeth Best will be played by national treasure Helen Mirren. “I can’t believe how perfect she is for it,” Osman wrote in his newsletter. We couldn’t agree more.
Celia Imrie, Sir Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan in a scene from the upcoming The Thursday Murder Club film. Image credit: Giles Keyte/Netflix.
Meanwhile, softly spoken Ibrahim Arif will be played by Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley. And headstrong Ron Ritchie will be played by former James Bond actor, Pierce Brosnan.
Outside of the core gang, the following key actors will also have key roles in the upcoming film: David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays and Henry Lloyd-Hughes. However, their characters have not yet been announced.
When will The Thursday Murder Club film be released?
Filming took place in England last summer, and we can confirm that the film will be released on Netflix on 28th August 2025.
Helen Mirren plays former spy Elizabeth Best in the upcoming film adaptation. Image credit: Giles Keyte/Netflix.
What is The Thursday Murder Club film about?
If the film is a faithful adaptation of the first book, we expect the plot will follow a group of four friends at a retirement village, who meet once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a murder takes place on their doorstep, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim have their first live case. Using teamwork and their past experiences, the gang must find the killer before it’s too late.
Watch the teaser trailer for The Thursday Murder Club
Read Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club book series in order
What do you think of the Thursday Murder Club film so far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Simon Day would be good as Ron – if he is the right age
Ron is a big gruff guy, he was a union boss for years, so an actor with physical presence is what is needed.
Pierce Brosnan is way to pretty and lightweight to play that part given, in a later book, Ron thinks that he is not good enough for Donna’s mum. Someone with Brosnan’s looks would never think that.
I have almost finished reading this superb book and I am over the moon that a film of the book will begin shooting this Summer. As a Librarian, I find The Thursday Murder Club cleverly written, very entertaining and hilarious in parts. I think that Diane Keaton would make a good Joyce. Loving the rest of the cast. Can’t wait to see the film!
Lesley Manville for Joyce. When I saw her in Mrs ‘Arris goes to Paris I was just starting the first book. Her slightly ditzy manner was perfect for Joyce (it’s her superpower actually—people who don’t know her tend to not take her seriously).
I saw an interview where Richard said Helen Mirren and Judy Dench would be a dream but that they were too old and he wanted a younger cast to see the books through so they could be aged up and grow into their characters age. Obviously the big guns win the toss. They’ll want some return in their money.
Personally I’d rather have a bunch of lesser known actors. I’m fed up of the same faces.