Helen Mirren on Ditching Birthdays, the “Galling” Side of Aging, and Why The Thursday Murder Club Lights Her Up

August 20, 2025 — At 80, Dame Helen Mirren remains as razor-sharp and defiant as ever. In her latest exclusive interview, she shares why birthdays hold no appeal, what she finds truly irksome about aging, and why she’s thrilled to be leading The Thursday Murder Club—Netflix’s vivacious new murder mystery adaptation.

“Ignoring Birthdays, Preferably with Tea in Bed”

Mirren confesses she has no interest in celebrating birthdays, preferring a cozy cup of tea in bed over pomp and fanfare. Still, she quips, she deserves to be treated well on the day—just on her own terms.

“The Most Galling Part of Getting Older”

While reluctant to call herself “feisty,” Mirren doesn’t mince words about the grating parts of aging. She rejects patronizing labels and insists that growing older with “commitment and fun,” rather than forced grace, resonates more deeply.

The Thursday Murder Club: Aging With Agency and Edge

Conversations quickly turn to her latest project—playing Elizabeth, a retired spy-turned-sleuth in The Thursday Murder Club, starring alongside Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. Mirren praises the film’s message that older people are dynamic problem solvers with wit, charm, and drive—far from the “invisible” stereotypes often assigned to them.

Why She Stays So Grounded

Between roles in 1923, MobLand, and even a cheeky Uber Eats campaign, she’d reject being softened into a cliché. Mirren continues to choose projects that preserve her fire, depth, and intellect—just like the character in The Thursday Murder Club.

With The Thursday Murder Club hitting Netflix on August 28 (after a limited theater release on August 22), fans can expect a hilarious, warm-hearted ode to aging boldly and unapologetically—with Helen Mirren leading the investigation every step of the way.