Richard Osman reveals whether The Thursday Murder Club film will impact writing the books

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Last summer marked the moment when undeniable evidence surfaced that the Thursday Murder Club was more than just a figment of Richard Osman’s creativity. The author and television host found himself astounded as a helicopter descended near a grand mansion in Berkshire, from which Steven Spielberg emerged to welcome him. “It was like a dream,” recalls Osman, still somewhat dazed by this unexpected Hollywood encounter. “In such an instance, I hardly ever request selfies, but I decided then and there that I couldn’t let this chance meeting slip by without capturing the moment.

Steven Spielberg was present during filming because his production company, Amblin Entertainment, is responsible for making the movie version of the popular book. Originally, this project was a very personal endeavor for Osman, who drew inspiration from his mother’s retirement home. The story revolves around Coopers Chase, an elegant estate turned living quarters for the elderly, where four elderly detectives – commonly known as the Murder Club – first delve into unsolved cases from the 1970s before encountering an active murderer.

Osman claims he’s had a longer connection with these characters than any other person globally,” he says. “Thus, it feels preposterous to me that someone else would portray them on screen since they are not merely fictional; they dwell within my heart.

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the legendary Steven Spielberg, along with Chris Columbus who has directed classics like Home Alone and Harry Potter, decided to bring together an exceptional ensemble cast for their latest project. The esteemed Dame Helen Mirren steps into the shoes of retired(ish) intelligence officer Elizabeth, while Celia Imrie portrays nurse Joyce. Trade unionist Ron is played by Pierce Brosnan, and Ben Kingsley takes on the role of psychiatrist Ibrahim. To add to this stellar lineup, we have Richard E Grant, David Tennant, and Jonathan Pryce joining in as well!

Osman exclaimed, “I was utterly astonished when I learned who they had chosen,” he admitted, though it wasn’t entirely unexpected. “For years, people have been suggesting that Helen Mirren should portray Elizabeth due to popular demand.

Osman struggled with a food compulsion, yet he persisted, perhaps even finding motivation within those challenges – “My obstacles notwithstanding, I was incredibly driven,” he admits. “I desired to be in the thick of things.” Osman ascended in his career as a TV producer at Endemol UK, where he conceived and later hosted popular shows like Pointless and House of Games. He then shifted gears towards writing. His debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club, hit shelves in 2020, and since then, has sold over 10 million copies, making him financially prosperous.

He expresses that growing up, his family was financially disadvantaged, and each penny he earns brings him great joy. While he values empathy, kindness, and helping others, he doesn’t see money as inherently negative. Instead, he acknowledges that financial security has always been a long-held aspiration for his family, as it is for many families in the country. He works hard and desires fair compensation for his efforts.

Osman’s curiosity in crime was ignited during his childhood, thanks to his grandfather who was a police officer in Brighton. He would eagerly listen to any tales his grandfather shared about misconduct, and he found excitement in places pointed out as sites of illegal activities like brothels or drug dealers’ homes. Although he enjoys writing stories about common establishments like Oliver Bonas and Tesco Metro, he also delves into the darker side of crime, such as the apartment above where someone is growing two million pounds‘ worth of cannabis plants. The juxtaposition of ordinary life with grisly criminality contributes significantly to the allure of his books. Additionally, Osman’s empathy towards older characters adds an endearing depth to his literary works.

Instead of just depicting them as quirky individuals or sufferers, he acknowledges and empowers elderly people with valuable life experiences by giving them the recognition they deserve. “I enjoy writing about older people,” he states. “I enjoy writing about loneliness, I enjoy writing about unexpected friendships.” Often, people tell me, “I hope to end up at Coopers Chase, where there’s action.” I’ve always felt as if I were 80 years old inside, which is why I can easily relate to these characters.

I’d like to know which character from the story reminds Osman of himself. Could it be Joyce, the curious and intelligent nurse who shows a striking similarity to his mom? “I believe I’m about 40% Ibrahim, 30% Joyce, 20% Ron, and 10% Elizabeth,” he shares. “I can predict what they’ll say in any situation. They are all part of who I am.

Could the depiction of those characters (Mirren, Imrie, Brosnan, and Kingsley) in future Thursday Murder Club adaptations influence how Ben writes about them in upcoming books? In a moment while penning the next novel, there was an instant where Ben Kingsley popped into his mind for the role of Ibrahim, as he shares a resemblance, but Ben decided against it, reasoning, ‘I already know who Ibrahim is; he’s quite familiar to me.’

In other words, did he agree with the portrayal of characters in the movie and the modifications necessary due to director Columbus’ creative decisions? I never had a moment during production when I thought, “This matches exactly what I imagined.” If it did, it would have been the most uninteresting piece ever created. What I had envisioned was nine hours long, with every line of dialogue and internal monologue intact. The epitome of tedium.

In the Thursday Murder Club, the members grapple with the looming shadows of dementia, mortality, and solitude, experiences that resonate deeply with author Osman due to his own personal struggles. “When I write,” he explains, “I can tap into feelings of sadness and loneliness. Yet, as we age, I believe happiness sets in too. We gain a bit of wisdom, and we learn to embrace our presence in the world without feeling embarrassed about ourselves.

The joy he experiences is largely due to the success of his books, business deals, and an upcoming television series adaptation of his novel “We Solve Murders”. However, he attributes a significant portion of this happiness to his wife, Ingrid Oliver, who acts alongside him in the film. Interestingly, he himself does not appear in the film, and he muses that some might question his presence in a police station in Kent.

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2025-08-19 03:33