Film rights for Osman début novel bought by Amblin in 14-way auction

Film rights to Richard Osman’s début novel, The Thursday Murder Club (Viking), have been snapped up by Amblin Partners in a 14-way auction.

The deal with Amblin was brokered by Emily Hayward Whitlock at the Artists Partnership, in association with Juliet Mushens at Caskie Mushens.

Viking bought the TV host’s book, alongside one other novel, last year for a seven-figure sum following a 10-publisher auction. Auctions and pre-empts followed around the globe.

The novel tells the story of four septuagenarians friends who live in a retirement community and, led by a former spy, form the Thursday Murder Club to solve cold cases for fun. But when a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live case. 

Ol Parker, known for “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” and "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” will write and direct. Jennifer Todd (“Jason Bourne”, "Memento”) of Jennifer Todd Pictures will produce. Osman will serve as executive producer. 

Osman said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be working with Amblin on The Thursday Murder Club. It’s honestly a dream come true. My only demand so far is that I can have a cameo in the film as a surprisingly tall police officer.” 

Katy Loftus, Osman’s editor at Penguin Viking, said: "The Thursday Murder Club is just perfect for the big screen–so much warmth and wit and with characters you never want to say goodbye to. I can’t wait to see Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron detecting in the flesh."

The book will be published by Viking UK on 3rd September, by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking US on 22nd September and in 11 other countries around the world.