Retirement homes usually conjure images of tranquility, endless cups of tea, and afternoons of bridge. But what if boredom gave way to crime-solving? That’s the irresistible premise of The Thursday Murder Club, Netflix’s upcoming release on August 28 — and more than just a single adaptation, it could mark the birth of one of the streaming era’s most unlikely mystery franchises.

From a Debut Novel to a Global Phenomenon

The film is based on Richard Osman’s bestselling debut, published in September 2020. Best known at the time as a British TV presenter, Osman surprised critics and readers alike with a modern whodunit that combined Christie-style plotting with British wit and a fresh, unorthodox cast of heroes: senior citizens.

What seemed destined to be a one-off novel quickly became a literary juggernaut. Osman turned his debut into a full-fledged series, now four books strong with a fifth on the way in 2025. Each volume delivers a new case for the Thursday Murder Club, but also deepens the personal arcs and friendships that keep readers hooked. Think Christie for the 21st century, but with more irony, more heart, and a sharper eye on what it means to grow old.

The results? Over 10 million copies sold worldwide, translations into dozens of languages, and a fan base eagerly awaiting each new release. Unsurprisingly, Hollywood came knocking fast: Steven Spielberg’s Amblin snapped up the rights in 2020, and with Netflix now attached and Chris Columbus directing, the stage is set for a franchise that could stretch well beyond this first film.

Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan: An Irresistible Duo

The casting alone makes The Thursday Murder Club an event. Reuniting Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan (Mobland) gives the adaptation not only star power but also the kind of playful gravitas that defines great ensemble mysteries.

Mirren plays Elizabeth, a sharp-witted ex-spy, while Brosnan takes on Ron, a fiery ex-union leader. Together with Ben Kingsley (Ibrahim, the retired psychiatrist) and Celia Imrie (Joyce, the ex-nurse with an eye for detail), they form a quartet that blends acerbic humor, tenderness, and genuine danger.

Columbus himself couldn’t hide his enthusiasm: “This is the finest cast I’ve worked with since Potter. They do everything — theater, TV, film — and bring that incredible range to every scene.”

From RED to the Thursday Club: Mirren’s Legacy of Unconventional Retirees

For longtime fans of Helen Mirren, there’s an extra layer of delight here: this isn’t her first time embodying a retiree who defies expectations. In the action-comedy RED (2010) and its sequel RED 2 (2013), she stole scenes as Victoria, a former MI6 assassin who combined elegance with heavy artillery. The image of Mirren calmly firing a machine gun in couture became an instant pop culture icon.

The parallel with The Thursday Murder Club is striking. In RED, Mirren proved that age was no barrier to lethal action. Here, she trades bullets for brains, embodying Elizabeth with razor-sharp wit and quiet authority. Both roles underscore her status as the actress who redefines what it means to age on screen — whether through the deadly charm of a spy or the cunning of an amateur detective.

In that sense, Elizabeth feels like Victoria’s spiritual successor: just as stylish, just as commanding, but armed with deduction rather than firepower.

Humor, Suspense, and a Touch of Melancholy

At its core, The Thursday Murder Club balances genres with unusual elegance. Yes, there’s a classic murder mystery at play, but it’s wrapped in sharp comedy, social satire, and a poignant reflection on mortality. As Columbus notes, “These are four elderly people living in a retirement community, facing their own mortality, yet finding vitality in digging into cold cases. It’s funny, but also deeply emotional.”

That duality makes the film resonate with today’s audience. Its DNA overlaps with Only Murders in the Building, another hit that combines the thrill of amateur sleuthing with witty banter and an unlikely trio of protagonists. But there’s also a kinship with more somber dramas like A Man on the Inside (2024), where the investigation serves as a lens through which to explore solitude, aging, and memory. The difference here is tone: Osman’s creation treats melancholy with humor and friendship — a reminder that invisibility can be defied through connection and purpose.

The Franchise Potential

What makes the Osman novels so appealing is their subversive charm: they place “invisible people” at the center of the action. Inspired by conversations at his mother’s retirement community, Osman realized that seniors are often underestimated by society, yet carry extraordinary stories, skills, and wisdom. Making them crime-solvers is both empowering and entertaining.

Producer Jennifer Todd saw the same spark when she first read the book in 2019. “I loved the characters, the world, their voices. They’re irresistible. You want to spend time with them — and solving the murders is such fun along the way.” It was Todd who recruited Columbus, banking on his proven record with book-to-screen phenomena like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

The result is more than just another literary adaptation. It’s the launchpad for what could become Netflix’s answer to the great detective sagas — a mystery franchise anchored not by slick young detectives, but by a group of retirees with bite (false teeth included)

With its mix of humor, suspense, and poignancy, The Thursday Murder Club proves that it’s never too late for adventure — or for a franchise to begin. The star-studded cast, led by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie, coupled with Osman’s already iconic novels, positions the film as one of 2025’s most intriguing cultural events.

Like Only Murders in the Building, it invites us to laugh while we guess the killer. Like A Man on the Inside, it asks us to reflect on aging and mortality. And like the best mysteries, it promises one thing above all: once you join the club, you’ll want to stay for the next case.

And in Mirren’s hands, Elizabeth stands as proof of a throughline in her career: whether in RED with a machine gun or here with nothing but sharp intuition, retirement has never looked so dangerously fun.