Final casting for Richard Osman's Murder Club.

I believe Julie Walters has been ill and has turned down roles to concentrate on her health. I don't mean this role, just roles in general.

“Tenko” I too thought of Dennis Waterman for Ron and then realised “oh no, he died a couple of years ago”. 😞
What about Larry Lamb?

Maggiemaybe

I was a bit dubious about Celia Imrie and Pierce Brosnan too, but I do tend to think of people looking just as they did in their heyday (myself included of course ). I’ve just googled recent photos of both of them (Pierce in character for his latest role in a sports drama called Giant).

And I think they’ll do nicely.

I do imagine Ron as a rough diamond but good looking, so perhaps Pierce will do 😁

I was a bit dubious about Celia Imrie and Pierce Brosnan too, but I do tend to think of people looking just as they did in their heyday (myself included of course ). I’ve just googled recent photos of both of them (Pierce in character for his latest role in a sports drama called Giant).

And I think they’ll do nicely.

Lovetopaint037

Unfortunately Celia Imrie is not my idea of Joyce. Joyce is a homely little body, making cakes and enjoying her friends and the murder club. Whereas Celia Imrie usually plays a quite self assured and sexy lady in the parts I have seen her in. Not my idea of sweet little Joyce.

I agree

I think Celia would have been better as Elizabeth.

Joyce is a homely little body. She was a very capable nurse, very kind and also very astute. Yes, Julie Walters?
And Celia Imrie as the immensely capable Elizabeth.

Timothy Spall as Ron - yes.
Headstrong, outspoken union activist.
I do like Pierce Brosnan but can't see him in the rôle somehow.

I'm sure I'll be proved wrong.

I've enjoyed the books but perhaps I'm past anything too intellectually challenging at my age 😁

Sparklefizz

In the book Ron is a "rough diamond" and needs an actor like Ray Winstone or Timothy Spall in my opinion.

Who would you cast?

Yes to both of your choices . When I read the first book , I knew it would be made into a film or tv series and thought Dennis Waterman would make a good Ron . But he’s since died .

Yes I agree with Primrose, started the first one, couldn't finish it, awful and overrated. So many authors of great talent out there who don't get the recognition for their works that Richard Osman's books have had by virtue of the fact that he's a celebrity. Maybe the dramatisation will be an improvement, Glenda Jackson certainly brought the fairly mediocre, Elizabeth is Missing to life with her outstanding performance.

The first novel was poor and I wasn't sure I would read the others but the subsequent books were better. Would watch the film to see if the characters match my imagination.

The books get better I found. I like the good old British films and will look forward to this one.

I love his books an easy read to help distract and take you into another world. I became very immersed in his characters a bit like I did with a Maeve Binchy read and was at a lost when I’d finished them. 😀

I will watch the film and hopefully enjoy it.

Have only read his first book. I was expecting a great read having read the blurb on the back but was extremely disappointed. It was s l o w wwww and I nearly gave up on it several times. Somebody would have to pay me to read any more of his books or watch the film. 😝

I love the books and look forward to the film, which will be a film at the cinema not a tv one.
Most actors are able to play different characters so expect Pierce Brosnan can play Ron, the ex Union man.I’m thankful that the awful Judy Dench, who always just plays herself won’t be in it.

I enjoyed the books and think the casting will work.

Pierce Brosnan has played rougher characters there is far more to him than James Bond.

Looking forward to the film.

Sometimes I just need a relaxing read, some of the heavier books with in depth subjects I have to be in the right frame of mind to tackle. The Thursday Murder Club series fits the lighter genre perfectly in my opinion.

In the book Ron is a "rough diamond" and needs an actor like Ray Winstone or Timothy Spall in my opinion.

Who would you cast?

Think it’s often a case of getting a ‘big’ name, i.e. Pierce Brosnan, regardless of whether they fit the character.

Sounds fun. Julie Walters would have been great, but she doesn't seem to do much now.

I enjoyed the books but can't imagine some of this casting working, although the whole point is that they are actors and should be able to assume different "identities"..... but Pierce Brosnan as Ron????? Impossible!!

Hope it is not confined to Netflix!

This thread has me thinking - Imelda Staunton for the part of Elizabeth would work for me.
But maybe Lesley Manville as Joyce. She can be more “homely” and she’s more diminutive somehow.
Will definitely watch the film.

I tried reading the book but soon realised it wasn't for me! Not sure about watching the film .... I will probably give it a try.

I think Celia would have been better as Elizabeth.

Imelda Staunton as Joyce.

However, if it’s on Netflix, I won’t be watching as we don’t have it.

I’m not a fan of the books. Have read them all, tried to ‘get’ them, but just don’t warm to any of the characters or plots.

Unfortunately Celia Imrie is not my idea of Joyce. Joyce is a homely little body, making cakes and enjoying her friends and the murder club. Whereas Celia Imrie usually plays a quite self assured and sexy lady in the parts I have seen her in. Not my idea of sweet little Joyce.

I’ve enjoyed them all too, Deedaa. I’m looking forward to the film.

I've loved all the books. I find them very funny with some great characters. I think they are far better than most celebrity offerings. Joyce is one of my favourite characters and I think Celia Imrie will be very good.

merlotgran

I hope it’s better than the book.

So do I merlotgran otherwise I'll be giving it a miss.
I do find invariably that fiction written by ' celebs' is disappointing.