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The Thursday Murder Club film: Everything you need to know About the Star-Studded Whodunit Adaptation
Ever since its announcement, the film adaptation of Richard Osman’s beloved novel, The Thursday Murder Club, has been one of the most talked-about thrillers in the making. Now, with the curtain finally lifted, fans have a real reason to celebrate. Backed by Steven Spielberg and directed by Harry Potter’s Chris Columbus, this upcoming whodunit promises wit, mystery, and a stellar British cast that’s impossible to resist.
The newly released photos give us our first official glimpse of this eccentric gang of retirees-turned-detectives, along with a sneak peek at some of the key supporting characters. The cast is bursting with star power, and the visuals are just the tip of the iceberg. After two years of anticipation and speculation, Netflix has confirmed when the film will drop — and it’s sooner than you might think.
So what should you expect from this hotly anticipated Netflix-Amblin co-production? We’ve gathered every juicy detail — from cast revelations to unexpected production twists — and packed them into one place. Stick around, because we’re uncovering secrets, sharing surprises, and keeping you updated every step of the way as more clues come to light.
Release date & Where to Watch
The film is set to premiere on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, on Netflix. The Thursday Murder Club has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for violent content/bloody images, strong language, and some sexual references.
What is the plot of The Thursday Murder Club?
Adapted by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote and directed by Chris Columbus, The Thursday Murder Club follows four sharp-witted retirees—ex-spy Elizabeth, former union activist Ron, retired psychiatrist Ibrahim, and nurse-turned-sleuth Joyce—living in a quiet English retirement community. Their favorite pastime? Gathering weekly to solve cold case murders for fun.
But things take a darker turn when an unexplained death occurs right in their community, plunging the amateur sleuths into a real-life whodunit. As they dig deeper into the mystery, the group is forced to confront unexpected dangers, sift through suspects, and use every ounce of their life experience to crack the case.
The film, described by Netflix as “a whodunnit with teeth – false ones, of course,” sticks closely to the plot of Richard Osman’s bestselling 2020 novel. Columbus noted that while “certain events and plot devices have been changed,” and “other scenes were omitted for time,” the film remains “a very faithful adaptation of the novel,” preserving “the essence of the book’s sharp, witty humour and the emotional complexity of each character.” (via Collider)
Who’s in the cast of The Thursday Murder Club?
- Pierce Brosnan (The Out-Laws) as former union activist Ron Ritchie
- Helen Mirren (The Queen) as ex-spy Elizabeth Best
- Ben Kingsley (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More) as Ibrahim Arif, an ex-psychiatrist
Kingsley praised the experience, saying, “There was a shared trust and respect between us, a genuine affection for the book and subsequent script. But I think the real bond between us was our shared admiration for our director Chris Columbus.” (via People)
He added, “[It’s] a film that I hold close to my heart. So when I got the call from Chris, that he was making a movie of The Thursday Murder Club, I was halfway there already. By the time I’d read the book by Richard Osman I was completely hooked.”
- Celia Imrie (The Diplomat) as Joyce Meadowcroft, an ex-nurse
Celia Imrie, who plays Joyce, described the atmosphere on set: “There was a sense of, ‘Gosh, guys, isn't this amazing?’ Here we all are again. How fantastic it is.” She added that the mood suited the story perfectly: “It was a very appropriate feeling for the piece as well, the way these people, these characters come together in all their idiosyncrasies.” Of her character, the actress said Joyce is “inquisitive, a little uncertain, optimistic, sympathetic, and ready for adventure.” (via People)
- Jonathan Pryce (The Crown) as Elizabeth’s husband, Stephen Best
- Henry Lloyd-Hughes (Chevalier) as Bogdan
- Naomi Ackie (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) as police constable Donna de Freitas
- David Tennant (Doctor Who) as shady businessman Ian Ventham
- Tom Ellis (Lucifer) as Jason Ritchie, Ron's son
- Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who) as Joyce’s daughter, Joanna Meadowcroft
- Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso) as Donna’s mother Patrice De Freitas
- Paul Freeman (Raiders of the Lost Ark)
- Daniel Mays (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget)
- Richard E. Grant (Withnail & I)
- Geoff Bell (Kingsman: The Secret Service)
- Ingrid Oliver (Doctor Who; Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging)
Director Chris Columbus told Netflix, “This is the finest cast I've worked with since Potter. They’re just so incredibly well-prepared, and it’s because they do everything. They do theater, they do television, they do film, and they’ve developed those sorts of muscles.”
Is There a Trailer for The Thursday Murder Club?
Check out this teaser for the film:
Is The Thursday Murder Club film Based on a book?
Yes, The Thursday Murder Club is based on the bestselling 2020 novel of the same name by House of Games presenter Richard Osman. The film adapts the first book in his wildly popular mystery series, which continues with The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die, and the upcoming The Impossible Fortune, set to release later this year.
Osman found the spark for his story in a familiar setting — his mother’s retirement community. “You just sit and chat with these people and they’ve lived these extraordinary lives. You hear these amazing stories and gossip and wisdom,” he shared with Tudum.
“You think, ‘These people are so overlooked.’ The idea that these people with their wisdom and their invisibility would be the perfect people to solve [a crime] is exactly where The Thursday Murder Club comes from. Take these people who are underestimated but who have these incredible skills, put them together, and they can achieve anything,” he added.
Filming Details
Production on The Thursday Murder Club ran from June to September 2024, with principal photography kicking off on June 27 at Shepperton Studios. Additional scenes were shot in Beaconsfield during July. On Sept. 11, 2024, Richard Osman confirmed on The Chris Moyles Show that filming had wrapped that same day.
Behind the Scenes
The Thursday Murder Club is getting the Hollywood treatment with a star-studded adaptation directed by none other than Chris Columbus — the filmmaker behind Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the first two Harry Potter films.
The movie is based on the international bestselling novel by Richard Osman and boasts a screenplay penned by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. Columbus is also producing alongside Jennifer Todd, with executive producers including Osman, Jo Burn, Eleanor Columbus, Holly Bario, and Jeb Brody.
The Thursday Murder Club is the latest co-production from Netflix and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, which acquired the worldwide rights to the novel after a competitive auction in 2020.
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