To ask who you would cast in Thursday Murder Club: The Movie?

[seekings1mplicity]

Would you go for the usual suspects, i.e. anyone from Marigold hotel (and nothing wrong with that) or would you mix it up?

This!! Hope the casting director is on MN

I think it would translate to screen rather well. TBH I found the book overhyped and rather dull and disappointing, but if it was on screen I would watch it.

I found the writing style and most of the characters very irritating. I only finished the book because it was a book club book.

Trevor McDonald or Morgan Freeman.

Who as? Intrigued.

Is Ray Winstone old enough to play Ron?
Ibrahim should be tall and elegant (all that swimming!) so in my mind he looks similar to Art Malik.

I see Jim Broadbent playing Stephen - he has the right calming tone of voice.

Love the idea of Roger Allan playing Douglas.

I like Art Malik as Ibrahim but you’d have to age him up.

Letitia Wright for Donna?

Brilliant thread. Loved the books.

I am really excited for the film

I’m a bit too attached to Lesley Manville’s voices for them. I think they need to age her up so she can be Joyce. She does a great Bogdan voice though…

@titchy not sure you're allowed Goran Visnjic for Bogdan - too suave/conventionally good looking. But he should still be hot.

Daniel Craig is an interesting idea. I reckon he'd be up for a less physically punishing role.

How about for Cush Jumbo for Donna?

I feel we need Jim Broadbent in the mix. Is he a Stephen candidate?

Now Ian Ventham. Got to get him right...

I'd quite like to see Shelia Hancock as Elizabeth and maybe Julia McKenzie as Joyce.

Cush Jumbo as Donna would be fab.

Juliet Stevenson as Elizabeth

Helen Mirran as Elizabeth.

Daniel Craig as Bogdon.

I think Craig is a bit old for the character of Bogdan, though he has the right rugged handsomeness. Surely there’s an actual Polish actor who could step in!

Excellent casting suggestions so far but my god, didn’t you all think the first book needed a damn good edit? I love Richard, he’s very smart, but his status meant this book was a commercial move and publishing ‘yes men’ allowed a weak book out into world. His narrative arc was all over the place. I suspect he knows that and his books will improve with experience. And a good editor.

I love Juliet Stevenson as Elizabeth too.

I think Bogdan might be uncastable.

I have Gary Lewis in my head for Ron but he’s way too young as well.

I always thought Joanna Lumley for Elizabeth.

In my head I hear Elizabeth and Joy conversing as Linda Snell and Joy Horville from the Archers. So if they were animated that would be my casting choice - I'm always so surprised by how Archers characters look in real life so couldn't say whether they are visually apt or not...

I think Kenneth Cranham should be one of them - but I can't remember the name - Ron maybe?

I was listening to an interview with RO a few weeks ago and apparently Meryl Streep has asked to be involved...I can't recall if they were thinking Joyce or Elizabeth.

I agree with PPs who said Stephanie Cole for Elizabeth, and Anne Reid for Joyce.

That said I also love Penelope Wilton and reckon she could do either role justice...she can be very dry.

Stephen/Jim Broadbent...excellent call.

Bogdan...hmmm...I'm not sure but I have such a soft spot for him, especially since the second book. Ooh...Richard Armitage...he's great at accents and does antiheroic thought guys really well plus, eye candy!

Greg Davies for Ian Ventham?

I do think Bogdan will be very tricky to get right - in the first book he looked like Liev Schreiber (in my head), in the second one he morphed in to Tom Hardy!

Richard Armitage as Bogdan would be great!

And Osho as Donna

Art Malik as Ibrahim is a good idea as a pp said

Andi Osho I meant

Ian McKellen as Douglas
Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim
Larry Lamb as Roy

Ian Ventham needs to really fancy himself. Hugh Grant might make a good job of that.