When The Thursday Murder Club premiered on Netflix, it became a standout. Based on Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, the film blends sharp humor with surprising emotional depth, largely thanks to its stellar cast. Led by Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie and Ben Kingsley, The Thursday Murder Club follows a group of friends in a retirement community who refuse to fade into the background. Their bond is as captivating as the crimes they investigate, adding a unique charm to the cozy English setting and clever plot twists.
So far, the film’s success has left fans asking a simple question: Will there be more of The Thursday Murder Club movies? Let’s take a closer look at what made the first on-screen installment so memorable and what we know about the franchise’s future.
Is ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ based on a true story?
Although this story feels somewhat grounded in reality, The Thursday Murder Club is purely a work of fiction. Interestingly, a Tudum press release reveals that Richard Osman conceived the idea for the story after visiting his mother’s retirement community. The residents there struck him as witty and spirited, so that experience inspired him to imagine what might happen if retirees decided to use their free time and life experience to solve crimes.
Beyond the mystery at the movie’s heart, themes of friendship, loss and resilience help to highlight how people can find new purposes later in life. Osman’s characters and setting may not be real but they resonate strongly enough that viewers might wish such a club actually existed.
The Thursday Murder Club doesn’t revolve around just one crime, so audiences watch as the lead actors unpack several interwoven mysteries. It all begins with the murder of Tony Curran (Geoff Bell), a sketchy builder tied up in Cooper’s Chase – the retirement community where the club lives. When Tony is found dead, suspicion falls on his business partner, Ian Ventham (David Tennant), who is fighting him over development plans. Soon after, Ian himself dies suddenly during a public event, which raises more questions than answers.
Who are the main characters in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’?
At the center of the film are four retirees whose personalities and skills make them an unlikely but effective detective team, as Elle reports. Elizabeth Best (Helen Mirren) is the group’s sharp and confident leader. She’s a former spy with quite a mysterious past, leading her to approach each case with intelligence and determination. And she always seems to know more than she might let on.
Then there’s Ron Ritchie (Pierce Brosnan), a retired trade union leader. He’s outspoken and fiery, but his brashness masks a deep loyalty, especially to his son Jason. Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley) is a retired psychiatrist who is relatively calm and methodical; he offers insights that balance the stronger personalities around him. Finally, Joyce Meadowcroft (Celia Imrie) is a retired nurse and the newcomer to The Thursday Murder Club. She brings a certain warmth, practicality and fresh perspective that soon proves invaluable.
There are also supporting characters who play crucial roles. Among them are Tony Curran and Ian Ventham, who provide the shady business dealings that kickstart the central mystery. Bogdan (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), the community’s groundskeeper, reveals unexpected depths, while Penny Gray (Susan Kirby) and her husband John (Paul Freeman) add a more emotional layer to the story, connecting past crimes with the ones happening in the present.
Why was Jason arrested?
One of the film’s central twists involves Ron’s son Jason (Tom Ellis), who suddenly finds himself at the center of all the suspicion. Investigators link him to the crime scene through what appears to be photographic evidence, as The Scotsman reports. He is briefly arrested, adding drama while forcing Ron to confront his fears surrounding how his son is perceived by the others.
As the mystery unfolds, it becomes quite clear that the evidence against Jason is misleading. The photograph that incriminates him is explained away, and his alibi proves that he wasn’t involved in the crime. His arrest becomes a stark reminder of how quickly suspicion can fall on the wrong person, particularly in a story where secrets, lies and hidden relationships are everywhere.
How does ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ end?
Per People, as The Thursday Murder Club digs deeper, they discover connections to an unsolved crime from the 1970s. The disappearance of Peter Mercer is a cold case that resurfaces when they unearth his bones buried in the community cemetery. He vanished after his girlfriend, Angela Hughes, was killed. Elizabeth begins to suspect Penny Gray, a former police officer who was also an early member, of the cold case, which had long been avoided.
Since Penny is bedridden in the hospital, things get complicated. Ultimately, Bogdan confesses during a chess game with Elizabeth’s husband that he unintentionally killed Tony while trying to retrieve his confiscated passport. This item was seized as leverage by Tony and Ian to exploit immigrant workers.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth deduces that Penny had killed Peter Mercer decades ago to protect Angela, his girlfriend, from escaping justice. Her husband, John, assisted in burying the body. When Ian’s development threatened to unearth the grave, John administered a fatal dose of fentanyl to Ventham to protect their big secret. With Penny in a coma, John asks to spend some final moments with her before the club calls the authorities. Instead of surrendering themselves, they use fentanyl for a suicide pact. Then, the movie ends with Penny and John’s funerals and Joyce being formally welcomed into The Thursday Murder Club.
Is ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ a series?
In terms of the books, yes, The Thursday Murder Club is already a full-blown series. Richard Osman’s debut novel was followed by multiple sequels, with the fifth entry becoming available later this year. Each installment features a new mystery while continuing the character arcs of Elizabeth, Ron, Ibrahim and Joyce.
On-screen, the 2025 Netflix adaptation is currently a standalone film. That said, its narrative structure, ensemble cast, and potential threads make it feel like the beginning of a cinematic series. With so much source material to choose from, it’s easy to see how the books could translate into a multimovie franchise. Also, the cast seems keen on returning for their roles. As Dame Helen and Brosnan share with the BBC, they would be enthusiastic about returning for more movies, should the streamer give the green light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Thursday Murder Club series have to be read in order?
Yes, the series should be read in order because the novels build upon each other, despite each one centering around a different mystery.
Is The Thursday Murder Club inappropriate?
According to Rotten Tomatoes the movie has a pg-13 rating, so viewers can expect a relatively family friendly experience.
