Move over, Squid Game. A new British powerhouse is poised to conquer Netflix, and it’s armed with tea, wit, and a star-studded cast of acting royalty. Richard Osman’s phenomenally successful novel, The Thursday Murder Club, is set to become the streamer's next global obsession after a monumental bidding war that shattered records.
In an unprecedented move, Netflix and legendary Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment have jointly secured the film rights, seeing off fierce competition from every major Hollywood studio. The deal, brokered by ..., is one of the most significant in UK publishing history, eclipsing even the streaming giant's deal for the global sensation Squid Game.
A Cast for the Ages
The project is already generating Oscar buzz with its legendary ensemble cast. The four amateur sleuths of Coopers Chase retirement village will be brought to life by:
- Dame Helen Mirren as ex-spy Elizabeth Best
- Sir Pierce Brosnan as former union activist Ron Ritchie
- Sir Ben Kingsley as the introspective psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif
- Dame Celia Imrie as the sharp-witted nurse Joyce Meadowcroft
This gathering of acting knights and dames promises a masterclass in British performance.
From Page to Global Phenomenon
The charm of Osman’s novel lies in its brilliant premise: four retirees in a Kent retirement village who meet weekly to investigate unsolved cold cases find themselves plunged into a real-life murder mystery on their doorstep. The blend of laugh-out-loud humour, poignant observation, and a cleverly plotted whodunnit has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
With a screenplay adapted by the Oscar-nominated writer of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, the film is in the most capable hands to translate its unique tone from page to screen.
The project is now on the fast track to production, with audiences across the globe eagerly awaiting the chance to join the club. It seems the case of the perfect Sunday night watch is about to be solved.
