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The Thursday Murder Club: Netflix Film, Books & Cast Guide

Jack Oliver Cooper Howard • 2026-05-12 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

There’s something irresistible about a group of retirees solving murders — maybe it’s the charm of unlikely heroes or the cozy British setting. The Thursday Murder Club, born from Richard Osman’s bestselling novels, has found a new life on Netflix as a 2025 film starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.

Books in series: 5 ·
Film release: 2025 ·
Streaming on: Netflix ·
Author: Richard Osman ·
First book published: 2020 ·
Sequel film: Confirmed

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • The Thursday Murder Club film streamed on Netflix starting in 2025 (Netflix Tudum).
  • Directed by Chris Columbus and starring Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie (Wikipedia).
  • There are five books in the series as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
2What’s unclear
  • Exact release date of the sequel film.
  • Whether Netflix will remove the film at any point (no official statement).
  • Whether there will be more books beyond the fifth.
3Timeline signal
  • 2020: First book published.
  • 2022: Film adaptation announced.
  • 2025: Film released on Netflix.
4What’s next
  • Sequel film based on The Man Who Died Twice is in development at Netflix; fifth book in the series releasing September 2025.

Eight key facts, one pattern: the Thursday Murder Club is a rare crossover that works as both a book series and a film franchise, each feeding the other’s audience.

Fact Details Source
Full title The Thursday Murder Club Wikipedia
Author Richard Osman Wikipedia
Number of books 5 (as of 2025) Wikipedia
First book published 2020 Wikipedia
Film release date 2025 Netflix Tudum
Film distributor Netflix Netflix Tudum
Lead actors Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie Vague Visages
Genre Crime comedy / cozy mystery TV Guide

Will The Thursday Murder Club be on Netflix?

  • The Thursday Murder Club film was released on Netflix in 2025, as confirmed by Netflix Tudum (official streaming news).
  • No official statement from Netflix or the production team suggests the film is being removed from the platform.

Why is The Thursday Murder Club being removed from Netflix?

There is no evidence that the film is slated for removal. Streaming rights occasionally shift, but as of now, the film is available and no removal notice has been published. The implication: unless Netflix announces a withdrawal, the film remains accessible to subscribers.

Is The Thursday Murder Club a series or a film?

  • The Thursday Murder Club is a 2025 American crime comedy film directed by Chris Columbus (Wikipedia).
  • There is no prior Thursday Murder Club TV series — the franchise made its screen debut as a feature film.

Was there a Thursday Murder Club TV series?

No. All adaptations so far are films. The pattern: the franchise stays true to its cinematic debut, with a sequel already confirmed.

How many books are in The Thursday Murder Club series?

  • Five books as of 2025: The Thursday Murder Club (2020), The Man Who Died Twice (2021), The Bullet That Missed (2022), The Last Devil to Die (2023), and a fifth book releasing in 2025 (Netflix Tudum).
  • All books were written by Richard Osman (Wikipedia).
  • Richard Osman has publicly discussed having a stammer (ELLE).

What disability does Richard Osman have?

Osman has a stammer, which he has spoken about openly. Why this matters: his openness about his stammer has resonated with many readers, adding a personal layer to his success.

Will there be a second Thursday Murder Club film?

  • A sequel film has been confirmed by Netflix, based on the second book The Man Who Died Twice (Netflix Tudum).
  • Chris Columbus will return to direct (Netflix Tudum).
  • The release date has not been announced (Netflix Tudum).

Is there a trailer for The Thursday Murder Club 2?

No trailer has been released yet. The catch: while confirmed, fans will have to wait for concrete dates and promotional materials.

Who is playing Bogdan in The Thursday Murder Club?

  • Henry Lloyd-Hughes plays the character Bogdan Jaskulski, as listed by Vague Visages.
  • The main cast includes Helen Mirren (Elizabeth), Pierce Brosnan (Ron), Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim), Celia Imrie (Joyce), Naomi Ackie (Donna), Daniel Mays (DCI Chris Hudson), and David Tennant (Ian Ventham) (TV Guide).

Who else is in the cast?

Additional cast includes Richard E. Grant, Ingrid Oliver, Tom Ellis, and Jonathan Pryce, who joined the production during 2024 (Wikipedia). What to watch: the ensemble depth suggests a rich, character-driven performance.

In what order should I read the Thursday Murder Club books?

  • The recommended reading order is publication order: The Thursday Murder Club (2020), The Man Who Died Twice (2021), The Bullet That Missed (2022), The Last Devil to Die (2023), and the upcoming fifth book (2025) (Wikipedia).

What is the correct reading order of Richard Osman books?

Same as above. The trade-off: you can start with any book, but beginning from the first enriches character arcs and backstories. For a curated list of top titles, see our guide to Best Books of All Time.

Timeline: Key milestones

Four dates, one pattern: the franchise moved fast from page to screen.

Date Event
September 2020 Publication of The Thursday Murder Club, the first book (Wikipedia).
2021–2024 Publication of books 2–4: The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die (Wikipedia).
2022 Film adaptation announced, with Chris Columbus attached to direct (Wikipedia).
2025 Release of The Thursday Murder Club film on Netflix (Netflix Tudum).
2025 (announced) Sequel film confirmed; release date TBD (Netflix Tudum).
The upshot

Richard Osman turned a casual idea into a franchise spanning five books and a major film adaptation — proving that retirement might just be the most productive phase of life.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • The Thursday Murder Club film is streaming on Netflix as of 2025 (Netflix Tudum).
  • There are five books in the series as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
  • A sequel film has been officially confirmed (Netflix Tudum).
  • Henry Lloyd-Hughes plays Bogdan (Vague Visages).
  • Richard Osman has a stammer (ELLE).

What’s unclear

  • Exact release date of the sequel film.
  • Whether Netflix will remove the film at any point.
  • Whether there will be more books beyond the fifth.
  • Specific plot details of the sequel.
  • Whether the film will be available in all regions.
  • Whether the sequel will adapt the second book exactly or take creative liberties.

Key quotes

A group of senior sleuths passionate about solving cold cases get plunged into a real-life murder mystery in this comic crime caper based on the novel.

— Official Netflix synopsis, as reported by Netflix Tudum

It’s been an absolute joy to see these characters come to life — the cast is phenomenal and the whole process has been a dream.

— Richard Osman, author, in an interview with Netflix Tudum

The paradox

Osman’s cozy mystery series has attracted an A-list Hollywood cast — proof that a gentle story with sharp characters can draw the same talent as a big-budget thriller.

Summary

For new readers, the decision is straightforward: pick up the first book and join the club before the sequel arrives on Netflix. For existing fans, the franchise shows no signs of slowing — more books and more films are in motion, and the Thursday Murder Club’s future looks as charming as its past.

For a complete overview of the books, cast, and upcoming sequel, check out our comprehensive guide to the series.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Thursday Murder Club about?

It’s a cozy mystery series set in a retirement village where four residents meet weekly to solve cold cases — until a real murder turns their hobby into a serious investigation.

Where is The Thursday Murder Club set?

The stories take place in the fictional Coopers Chase retirement village in the English countryside.

Who wrote The Thursday Murder Club books?

Richard Osman, a British television presenter and author, wrote all five books.

Is The Thursday Murder Club film faithful to the book?

The film adapts the first novel with Chris Columbus directing. Early reviews indicate it captures the spirit and key plot points, though some characters and scenes are condensed for runtime.

How did Richard Osman come up with the idea for the series?

Osman has said he wanted to write a story about older characters who are underestimated, drawing from his own experiences and his mother’s life in a retirement village.

Are the Thursday Murder Club books suitable for all ages?

The books are written for adults but are cozy mysteries with mild language and no graphic violence — many younger readers (12+) also enjoy them.

Will there be more books in the Thursday Murder Club series after the fifth?

Richard Osman has not confirmed any books beyond the fifth, but given the popularity, additional installments are possible.

What is the reading level of the Thursday Murder Club books?

The prose is accessible, with a Flesch Reading Ease score around 70–80, making them suitable for middle-grade readers and above.



Jack Oliver Cooper Howard

About the author

Jack Oliver Cooper Howard

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