In a casting coup that has sent ripples of excitement through the British film industry, Simon Bird is swapping the sixth-form canteen for a retirement village's murder mystery. The actor, forever etched in the nation's consciousness as the hopelessly awkward Will McKenzie in the iconic sitcom The Inbetweeners, has landed a major role in the star-studded adaptation of Richard Osman's phenomenally successful novel.
The film, helmed by the acclaimed Oscar-winning director Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone), boasts a veritable who's who of British and Hollywood royalty. Bird will be sharing the screen with the formidable Dame Helen Mirren, former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, and the legendary Sir Ben Kingsley.
A Stellar Line-Up for a Global Phenomenon
The project is one of the most hotly anticipated British film adaptations in years, thanks to the colossal success of Osman's book series. The story revolves around a group of sharp-witted retirees living in a peaceful Kent retirement village who find themselves investigating a real murder for which their amateur detective club is perfectly, and hilariously, equipped.
Bird is set to play a supporting role, with the four lead characters—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—being portrayed by Mirren, Celeste Imrie, Kingsley, and Brosnan respectively. This ensemble promises to bring the beloved characters from the page to the screen with wit, charm, and a hefty dose of star power.
From Cooper's Chase to the Big Screen
Fans of the books will be thrilled to learn that the production is set to bring the fictional setting of Cooper's Chase to life. Filming is scheduled to take place in the Southeast of England later this year, with the picturesque landscapes of Kent likely providing the perfect backdrop for the story's blend of cosy crime and humour.
With a powerhouse director, an unparalleled cast, and source material that has captivated millions of readers worldwide, The Thursday Murder Club is poised to become a major cinematic event, proving that some murder mysteries are best solved by the most unlikely of detectives.
