Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club has captivated readers with its charming, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt take on the cozy crime genre. Having sold millions of copies worldwide and launching a beloved series, the British novel’s fans have long awaited an adaptation. The recent release on Netflix, featuring a who’s who cast including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, has finally brought the beloved residents of Coopers Chase to the screen. Let’s take a look at what we, and fans of the book, thought about the book’s adaptation.
Official Thursday Murder Club Trailer
A Star-Studded Cast of Legendary Actors
One of the greatest characteristics of this beloved novel is the take on retirement and the humanization of older people. Rather than removing their autonomy, intellect, and fortitude, leaving them to whittle away their days simply crocheting and reading, Osman shows the restlessness of retirement. The need to continue with the same resilience and involvement as in their younger years. Adding the realities of life, sickness, and mortality to the tale only made for a more approachable, likable, and empathetic story.
- Helen Mirren as Elizabeth
- Pierce Brosnan as Ron
- Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim
- Celia Imrie as Joyce
- Also Starring: Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant, Ingrid Oliver
The news of a film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, and the casting announcements only created more hype. Fans were thrilled to learn that the four iconic Cooper’s Chase retirees would be played by an all-star cast of British acting legends: Helen Mirren as the sharp-as-a-tack Elizabeth, Pierce Brosnan as the working-class Ron, Ben Kingsley as the methodical Ibrahim, and Celia Imrie as the diary-keeping Joyce. The ensemble was rounded out by a fantastic supporting cast, including Naomi Ackie and Daniel Mays as the police officers Donna and Chris.
In a recent interview with Bookstr, the cast of The Thursday Murder Club opened up about the compelling creative choices they made to bring their characters to life, offering a glimpse into the witty and heartfelt dynamics that define the story.
- Helen Mirren revealed she found her character’s humor by “playing it completely straight.” Her character, Elizabeth, is a former spy, and Mirren’s portrayal leans into this background, capturing a woman who is both the calculating, no-nonsense leader of the club and a realistic, grounded individual navigating her later years.
- Celia Imrie explained how her character, Joyce, acts as a clever guide, introducing the audience to the world of Coopers Chase. As a retired nurse and the newest member of the club, Joyce’s practical nature and keen observations provide a relatable entry point into the group’s eccentric, crime-solving world.
- Pierce Brosnan addressed the fan discussions about him playing Ron, a character often pictured as more rugged, saying it was one of the most memorable roles of his career. Brosnan’s casting as the former union activist and widower brings a new dimension to Ron, suggesting that his dramatic flair and unexpected charm are as important as his working-class roots.
- Ben Kingsley described his “forensic” approach to Ibrahim, which involved digging into the character’s silences and hidden secrets. Ibrahim, a retired psychiatrist, is the intellectual of the group, and Kingsley’s intense focus on his inner world hints at a character whose quiet demeanor belies a profound understanding of human nature and motive.
Where the Film Diverges from the Book
While the star-studded cast and undeniable charm of the film were major draws, many fans of the book have been vocal about the significant creative liberties taken in the adaptation. The most contentious point of all seems to be the fate of the Polish handyman, Bogdan. And we have to agree. The deviation is a significant break from the book, where Bogdan is a sympathetic character who gets away with the murder and becomes a crucial ally to the club in later books, forming an unlikely friendship with police officer Donna. This fundamental change has left many fans wondering how a faithful sequel could ever be made.
The movie also condensed or removed several key plot points to fit the story into a two-hour runtime. While we understand the need to accommodate — hello, every adaptation, ever — we still find it hard to swallow. A significant part of the book’s mystery involves the backstory of Father Mackie and his connection to the cemetery — a nuanced storyline that is almost entirely cut from the film. The movie also adds a mysterious stalker for Elizabeth, a plot point that doesn’t exist in the novel, and reduces Joyce’s role to her diary rather than exploring her personal relationships and life before Coopers Chase.
Ultimately, many viewers felt the film sacrificed the book’s emotional depth — an aspect that was a significant factor in the novel’s success — for a more straightforward plot. The intricate themes of grief, aging, and a group of friends finding a renewed purpose in their final years were simplified, leading some to describe the movie as a “surface-level adaptation.”
The Two Camps of Fan Reaction
The release of the film has created a noticeable split among fans, with two distinct camps emerging on social media and forums.
On one side, the “Loved It” camp includes many viewers, especially those who hadn’t read the books. They found the film to be a delightful and entertaining whodunit, praising the chemistry of the main quartet, the lighthearted tone, and the beautiful cinematography. For these viewers, the film is a perfect cozy mystery that’s easy to watch and full of laughs.
Looking at it from this perspective, we wholeheartedly agree. It’s a delightful watch, nothing too heavy, and would make for excellent sequels as it stands.
On the other side, the “Disappointed” camp, made up of avid book readers, was left frustrated and, in some cases, “raging” over the changes. The alteration of Bogdan’s storyline, in particular, has been called “unforgivable” by some, as it seemingly derails any possibility of a faithful sequel. These fans argue that the movie failed to capture the true essence of the characters and the emotional weight of the story, feeling more like a generic movie than a proper cinematic adaptation.
It’s an incredibly tough road to walk when it comes to adaptations, especially one as beloved as this. While some characters and subplots can be left out and/or changes made without significant repercussions, others cannot, particularly with known sequels where these changes have far-reaching consequences for later plot sequences. While we’re disappointed in the Bogden change, we’re eager to see how the writers will attack the screenplay for the sequel. After all, this was so popular, they must already be working on one. Right?
In the end, The Thursday Murder Club is a testament to the challenges of adapting a beloved book series. While it has succeeded commercially, quickly climbing to the top of Netflix’s charts, the film has sparked a heated debate about the balance between creative license and fan loyalty. Regardless, the Bookstr team loved watching the film for what it was: heartfelt, full of charm and wit, and rapturously entertaining.
Love a good adaptation? Us too, check out this article on 7 Exciting New Adaptations.
Haven’t read The Thursday Murder Club yet? Check it out here.
