Cast of The Thursday Murder Club Film: Full List of Actors and Characters
The Thursday Murder Club, the 2025 crime comedy based on Richard Osman’s bestseller, brings together an exceptional ensemble of actors to portray the residents of Coopers Chase retirement village. The film, directed by Chris Columbus and released on Netflix on August 28, 2025, follows four retirees who turn their amateur sleuthing hobby into a genuine murder investigation. Below is a comprehensive look at who plays whom, the key crew behind the project, and what audiences can expect from this star‑studded adaptation.
The core quartet – Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie – anchors the film, supported by a deep bench of acclaimed performers including Naomi Ackie, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, and Richard E. Grant. With a runtime of 1 hour 58 minutes and a PG‑13 rating, the film balances comedy with suspense, staying true to the novel’s warm‑hearted yet twisty tone.
Who Is in the Cast of The Thursday Murder Club Film?
- The film adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel assembles an all‑star cast, anchored by four Oscar‑winning or nominated actors.
- Director Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter) brings his family‑friendly mystery style to the Netflix production.
- Celia Imrie is confirmed as Joyce Meadowcroft, while other character roles have been officially announced.
- Netflix is scheduled to release the film on August 28, 2025.
- A key plot death – the murder of Tony Curran – sets the main mystery in motion.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film Title | The Thursday Murder Club |
| Director | Chris Columbus |
| Main Cast | Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Naomi Ackie |
| Release Date | August 28, 2025 (Netflix) |
| Based on | Novel by Richard Osman |
| Genre | Comedy, Crime, Drama |
| Runtime | 1 hr 58 min |
| Rating | PG‑13 |
| Filming Locations | UK (specific sites not publicly confirmed) |
Who Directed The Thursday Murder Club Film?
Chris Columbus: The Director Behind the Film
Chris Columbus, known for directing Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter films, took the helm of The Thursday Murder Club. He also serves as a producer alongside Jennifer Todd, Richard Osman, and executive producer Steven Spielberg. Columbus’s experience with ensemble casts and family‑oriented mysteries makes him a fitting choice for this cozy‑crime adaptation.
Columbus previously directed Mrs. Doubtfire and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. His ability to balance humor with heartfelt moments is expected to carry over to this retirement‑village mystery.
Other Key Crew Members
The screenplay was written by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote. Composer Thomas Newman (known for 1917, Finding Nemo) scored the film, with cinematography by Don Burgess and editing by Dan Zimmerman. Production design was handled by James Merifield, and casting by Kharmel Cochrane.
Who Plays Joyce in The Thursday Murder Club?
Celia Imrie as Joyce Meadowcroft
Celia Imrie portrays Joyce Meadowcroft, a retired trauma nurse who is enthusiastic about the murder mystery that lands in the club’s lap. Imrie’s casting was announced in May 2024. She is known for roles in Calendar Girls, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best
While the character Joyce is played by Imrie, Helen Mirren takes on the role of Elizabeth Best, the former MI6 officer who leads the Thursday Murder Club. Mirren’s character is described as sharp, commanding, and the group’s natural leader. This answers the common question of “What character does Helen Mirren play?”
In the novel, the four main members are Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim, and Joyce. The film mirrors this: Helen Mirren (Elizabeth), Pierce Brosnan (Ron), Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim), and Celia Imrie (Joyce). All four are confirmed by official sources.
Who Plays Bogdan in The Thursday Murder Club?
Henry Lloyd‑Hughes as Bogdan
Henry Lloyd‑Hughes has been cast as Bogdan, a supporting character in the film. Details about Bogdan’s exact role remain sparse in public sources, but he is believed to be a handyman or ally to the club. Lloyd‑Hughes is known for his work in Industry and The Inbetweeners.
As of now, no official description of Bogdan’s character has been released by Netflix or the production team. The information above is based on fan speculation and limited reporting.
Who Died in The Thursday Murder Club Film?
The Victim: Tony Curran
Geoff Bell plays Tony Curran, Ian Ventham’s business partner, who is murdered early in the film. His death transforms the club’s cold‑case hobby into a real police investigation. In the story, Joyce comments that it’s “wonderful” to have a live mystery. The murder sparks conflict between the retirees and the local police, led by DCI Chris Hudson (Daniel Mays).
This plot point is directly adapted from Richard Osman’s novel, where Tony Curran’s killing sets the entire narrative in motion. No other major character deaths have been confirmed for the film adaptation.
What Is the Production Timeline for The Thursday Murder Club?
- 2020 – Richard Osman’s novel The Thursday Murder Club is published and becomes a bestseller.
- 2022 – Film adaptation is announced with Chris Columbus attached to direct.
- May‑July 2024 – Principal cast is confirmed: Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, Imrie (May); Tennant, Pryce, Ackie, Mays, Lloyd‑Hughes (June); Grant, Oliver, Ellis (July). Filming begins.
- August 28, 2025 – The film premieres on Netflix worldwide. (Source: Deadline)
Which Cast Details Are Confirmed and Which Remain Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The core four actors (Mirren, Brosnan, Kingsley, Imrie) and their characters are confirmed by Netflix and multiple authoritative sources. | Character names for Brosnan, Kingsley, and Imrie are publicly known (Ron, Ibrahim, Joyce) – but early speculation sometimes misattributed roles. All are now confirmed. |
| Supporting cast including Naomi Ackie (Donna De Freitas), Daniel Mays (DCI Hudson), and David Tennant (Ian Ventham) are confirmed via IMDb and press releases. | Who plays Stephen? Jonathan Pryce is cast as Stephen Best (Elizabeth’s husband), so that question is resolved. |
| A death occurs in the plot – Tony Curran (Geoff Bell) is murdered. This is confirmed by character descriptions. | Exact details of how the murder is solved and whether any other characters die are not officially disclosed (spoilers). |
| Filming locations are assumed to be in the UK, given the English countryside setting of the book. | No specific studios or real‑world locations have been publicly named by the production. |
What Is the Background of The Thursday Murder Club Adaptation?
Richard Osman’s debut novel, published in 2020, became a global phenomenon, spawning a series of sequels. The story is set in Coopers Chase, a peaceful retirement village in the English countryside, where four residents form a club to solve cold cases. When a real murder occurs, they find themselves pitted against the local police. Director Chris Columbus’s experience with ensemble casts – from the Harry Potter films to Percy Jackson – is well suited to balancing the large, talented group. The choice to cast Helen Mirren as the no‑nonsense Elizabeth and Celia Imrie as the sweet‑but‑sharp Joyce aligns closely with the book’s characterizations. The film’s release on Netflix guarantees a wide international audience, and the built‑in fan base of the book series creates strong anticipation.
What Do Official Sources Say About the Cast?
“Get to know the members of The Thursday Murder Club. The cast includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, Naomi Ackie…”
– Netflix Tudum article, August 2025
“Four irrepressible retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun.”
– IMDb synopsis
While no direct quotes from the actors or director appear in publicly available materials as of August 2025, these official descriptions confirm the main cast and the film’s premise. Further details are expected to emerge with the trailer release and promotional interviews.
What to Expect Next from The Thursday Murder Club?
The film has already generated positive buzz for its cast, earning a Metascore of 60 (as reported by TV Guide) and mixed reviews from Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences can look forward to a potential trailer later in 2025, and if the film performs well, Netflix may greenlight sequels based on Richard Osman’s subsequent novels. For a complete breakdown of every actor and character, see The Thursday Murder Club (2025 Film) – Comprehensive Cast, Crew, and Production Details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Thursday Murder Club a film series?
Currently, only one film has been announced. It is based on a book series, so additional films may follow depending on success and Netflix’s plans.
Who plays Bogdan in The Thursday Murder Club?
Henry Lloyd‑Hughes has been cast as Bogdan, but the character’s role has not been officially described.
Where was The Thursday Murder Club filmed?
Specific filming locations have not been confirmed. The story is set in England, and the production is assumed to be UK‑based.
When is the release date for The Thursday Murder Club?
The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 28, 2025.
Who plays Stephen in The Thursday Murder Club?
Jonathan Pryce plays Stephen Best, Elizabeth’s chess‑playing husband. This casting is confirmed.
Rebecca Wallace is Managing Editor at MarketUK.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and article commissioning.