Netflix’s adaptation of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, released August 26, 2025, promised a cozy crime caper with a stellar cast—Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. Hailed as a hit, it dominated streaming charts, but a single, jaw-dropping change to a beloved character has ignited a firestorm among fans. Social media is ablaze with cries of “unforgivable,” and even Osman himself has hinted at unease, leaving viewers questioning: Did Netflix ruin a masterpiece?
The uproar centers on Bogdan, the Polish handyman played by Henry Lloyd-Hughes. In Osman’s 2020 novel, Bogdan kills his boss, Tony, to avenge a friend’s murder, but walks free, becoming a key figure in later books. The film, however, rewrites his motive—tying it to a stolen passport—and ends with his arrest, effectively erasing his future arcs. Fans flooded X (#JusticeForBogdan), slamming the change as “pointless” and “gut-wrenching,” arguing it guts the character’s depth and sequel potential. One post fumed, “They’ve shot themselves in the foot for future films!”
Osman, in his September 2025 newsletter, coyly referenced the backlash with the hashtag #JusticeForBogdan, saying, “We’re all aware of some ‘differences’ between the film and book.” His subtle jab suggests discomfort with director Chris Columbus’ decision to streamline the plot for a two-hour runtime. While Columbus defended the change as necessary, fans argue it betrays Bogdan’s nuanced role as a conflicted ally to the crime-solving retirees. The film’s added subplot—Elizabeth fearing Bogdan might poison her husband—further alienated book lovers, who cherished his loyalty.
The controversy has split viewers. Some praise the film’s humor and star power, but others feel the alteration undermines Osman’s vision, with one X user declaring, “It’s like Netflix rewrote the heart of the story!” As talks of a sequel swirl, the question looms: Can Netflix redeem itself, or has Bogdan’s fate doomed the franchise? This clash of adaptation and expectation has left fans heartbroken and Osman’s legacy in question.
