Exclusive First Look: Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan Star in Netflix’s ‘The Thursday Murder Club’
A star-studded cast, including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, is set to bring Richard Osman’s bestselling book series to life in the upcoming Netflix movie, The Thursday Murder Club. PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated film, directed by Chris Columbus.
According to PEOPLE, the film is based on the first book in Osman’s popular series and follows four feisty residents of a UK retirement home who solve cold-case murders for fun. When a death happens close to home, the quartet gets caught up in a thrilling and humorous whodunit. As PEOPLE reports, the movie boasts an impressive cast, with Mirren playing Elizabeth, a former MI5 agent, who may or may not have been a spy during her working years.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Mirren revealed that she fell in love with the character when she read the book years ago. "I sort of went, ‘Oh, if they ever make a movie of it, I’d love to play that role,’" she says. "And I very, very rarely feel that, but I have to confess, I did feel that this time." As PEOPLE notes, Mirren is joined by an accomplished cast, including Kingsley, 81, who started his career in the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Imrie, 72, who costarred with Mirren in the 2003 comedy Calendar Girls.
The cast’s camaraderie is evident in their interviews with PEOPLE, with Mirren stating that there was a sense of excitement and nostalgia on set. "There was a sense of, ‘Gosh, guys, isn’t this amazing?’ " she says. "Here we all are again. How fantastic it is. It was a very appropriate feeling for the piece as well, the way these people, these characters come together in all their idiosyncrasies." PEOPLE reports that the characters in the film are "very funny, lovable, quirky, but flawed."
Imrie plays Joyce, a former nurse who is "inquisitive, a little uncertain, optimistic, sympathetic, and ready for adventure," according to PEOPLE. Brosnan stars as Ron, a onetime union activist, while Kingsley takes on the role of former psychiatrist Ibrahim. In his interview with PEOPLE, Kingsley notes that there was a shared trust and respect between the cast, as well as 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," he says.
As PEOPLE reveals, Brosnan jumped at the opportunity to re-team with Columbus, who directed the 1993 comedy Mrs. Doubtfire. "[It’s] a film that I hold close to my heart," he tells PEOPLE. "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." PEOPLE confirms that viewers will be too when The Thursday Murder Club hits Netflix on August 28.
The film also stars Naomi Ackie, Richard E. Grant, Jonathan Pryce, and Tom Ellis, and is sure to be a hit with audiences. With its talented cast and engaging storyline, The Thursday Murder Club is set to be a must-watch movie of the year. As PEOPLE notes, the movie is based on Osman’s bestselling book series, and fans of the books are sure to be delighted with the film adaptation.
According to PEOPLE, the cast’s chemistry and affection for the material shine through in the film, making The Thursday Murder Club a joy to watch. The movie’s blend of humor, mystery, and heart is sure to appeal to a wide range of audiences, and PEOPLE is proud to bring you this exclusive first look at the film.
The article was originally published by PEOPLE and can be found here: https://people.com/helen-mirren-pierce-brosnan-thursday-murder-club-exclusive-11720376.
