Murder Before Evensong: New Acorn TV and C5 murder mystery based on the novel by Reverend Richard Coles
Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis takes the leading role...
Murder Before Evensong, the upcoming Acorn TV and Channel 5 adaptation of Reverend Richard Coles’ book of the same name, is starting soon with Matthew Lewis and Amanda Redman in the lead roles.
Acorn TV has now confirmed the start date of the new murder mystery drama. And you haven’t got long to wait.
So what is Murder Before Evensong about, how many episodes will it be, who’s in the cast, and when’s the start date? Here’s everything you need to know…
Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis leads the cast of Murder Before Evensong, which starts soon (Credit: Acorn TV)
What is Murder Before Evensong about?
The plot of Murder Before Evensong centres on Daniel, who shares Champton rectory with his widowed mother – opinionated, fearless, ever-so-slightly annoying Audrey – and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda.
The synopsis reads: “When Daniel announces a plan to install a lavatory in the church, the parish is suddenly (and unexpectedly) divided. As lines are drawn, long-buried secrets come dangerously close to destroying the apparent calm of the village.”
But, of course, it’s not all about a toilet! A body is subsequently found dead at the back of the church, having been stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs.
We’re told: “As the police move in and the bodies start piling up, Daniel is the only one who can try and keep his fractured community together… and catch a killer.”
For those less Godly among us, Evensong is a church service that includes singing, readings, and prayers, usually held in the evening. It’s a time for reflection and contemplation.
How many episodes is it?
Murder Before Evensong is a six-episode drama, with each instalment expected to be one hour long.
Acorn TV typically doesn’t release all episodes of a show at once. Instead, they usually drop new episodes on a weekly basis. The series will also air on Channel 5.
Easties legend Tamzin Outhwaite will star in the new murder mystery (Credit: Acorn TV)
Who’s in the cast of Murder Before Evensong?
Matthew Lewis stars as Canon Daniel Clement in the cast of Murder Before Evensong. He’s best known for playing Neville Longbottom in all of the Harry Potter films.
He’s also portrayed Jamie Bradley in The Syndicate, Jamie Bradley in Bluestone 42, Sean Balmforth in Line of Duty, and Sgt. Samuel Drummond in Ripper Street. More recently, he’s starred as Hugh Hulton in All Creatures Great & Small, and Brett in Avoidance.
Amanda Redman will play Daniel’s mum. She’s known for playing Det. Supt. Sandra Pullman in New Tricks, and Alison Braithwaite in At Home with the Braithwaites.
Happy Valley actor Amit Shah will play DS Neil Vanloo, alongside Vigil’s Adam James who’ll portray Bernard De Floures.
One Day actress Meghan Treadway stars as Honor De Floures, while newcomer Alexander Delamain will play Alex De Floures. The Crown’s Marion Bailey stars as Kath, opposite Kaos star Amanda Hadingue as Dora.
The Wives actress Tamzin Outhwaite will play Stella Harper, Kin’s Francis Magee stars as Edgy, and Showtrial‘s Nina Toussaint-White is Jane Thwaite.
First-look pictures of the cast were released over the summer.
Is it based on a book?
Murder Before Evensong is based on the first novel in the bestselling Canon Clement series by British author Reverend Richard Coles.
There are currently three novels in the series. Murder Before Evensong is followed by A Death in the Parish, and Murder at the Monastery. There’s also Murder Under the Mistletoe: A Canon Clement Christmas Novella.
Of course, the Reverend Richard Coles appeared on the 2024 series of I’m A Celebrity. He became famous as one half of the pop duo The Communards, alongside singer Jimmy Somerville.
The Telegraph called the book Murder Before Evensong a “cosy crime with a cutting edge”, while The Observer described it as “charming and funny”.
The Sunday Express said it was “quintessentially English”.
The series is adapted by Nick Hicks-Beach (Lewis, DCI Banks, Midsomer Murders) and directed by David Moore (Fool Me Once, Outlander, Shetland).
When does Murder Before Evensong start? How can I watch?
The new six-part mystery will air on Acorn from Monday, September 29, 2025, before going on to Channel 5 afterwards.
It will be available to watch for Acorn TV subscribers, and free on Channel 5 and My5.
Channel 5 viewers can watch it from Tuesday, October 07, 2025 at 9pm.
Where is Murder Before Evensong set?
The series filmed in and around the West Midlands in 2025.
The Richard Coles book is set in the fictional English village of Champton St Mary in 1988.
