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Epping-born actor Daniel Mays has described being cast in the film adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling novel 'The Thursday Murder Club' as an absolute 'dream job.' The 47-year-old actor, who plays DCI Chris Hudson in the movie, found himself acting alongside icons such as Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Helen Mirren, whom he referred to as 'massive heroes of mine.' Mays recounted the surreal moment he learned he got the part; he was in a hospital ward in Belgium being treated for a severely infected mosquito bite he sustained while filming elsewhere when his agent called with the news.
He described the whiplash of going from a 'horrendous situation in an A&E ward to absolute jubilation.' Mays felt a strong connection to his character, a middle-aged divorcee longing for love who investigates a murder, calling the role 'absolute gold dust' for an actor.
He expressed a desire to potentially return to the character in future adaptations, hoping to explore his development as he 'eventually goes to the gym and finds love.' The actor credited the source material, written by Billericay-born author Richard Osman, as his 'bible,' noting that the reason for the novel's status as a global bestseller is because it is 'so well written.' Mays admitted he has never felt a higher level of expectation with a project before.
The film, which follows four pensioners in a retirement village who solve cold case murders but find themselves with a real whodunnit, is now available on Netflix.