Daniel Mays has described landing a role in the upcoming film adaptation of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club as a “dream job.” The Epping-born actor, 47, will play DCI Chris Hudson in the crime comedy, joining a cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley.

Mays said he was “pinching myself” when he got the call confirming the role, admitting the experience felt surreal. He had been in a Belgian hospital recovering from a mosquito bite infection when his agent broke the news. “I went from a horrendous situation in an A&E ward to absolute jubilation,” he said.

Key Points:

• Daniel Mays stars as DCI Chris Hudson in The Thursday Murder Club film.

• The cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley.

• Mays received the news while in a Belgian hospital with an infected arm.

• The story is based on Richard Osman’s bestselling 2020 novel.

His character, DCI Hudson, is a middle-aged divorcee longing for love while tasked with investigating a murder that pulls the four amateur sleuths at the heart of Osman’s novel into a real case. Mays said he felt an immediate connection to the part. “That for an actor was absolute gold dust. I felt ownership of the character even before rehearsals had begun.”

The actor also praised Osman’s novel, calling it his “bible” during preparation. “The reason it’s such a global bestseller is because it’s so well written,” he said. “I’ve never felt this level of expectation with a project before.”

Mays added that he would happily return to the role if the story continues. “I’d love to go back and develop Hudson further as he goes on to the gym and finds love,” he said.