Murder Before Evensong is the upcoming Channel 5 adaptation of Reverend Richard Coles’ book of the same name – and here’s a first look at the mystery drama. 

Matthew Lewis and Amanda Redman lead the brand new series, which will also air on Acorn TV, and we can now reveal some sneak peek pictures of what to expect.

Matthew and Amanda are seen in character, as Canon Daniel Clement and his mother Audrey Clement, strolling through their picturesque village of Champton St Mary.

Another shot shows Canon Clement contemplating an awful crime that has just taken place. In a third, he is sitting alongside Detective Segeant Neil Vanloo.

Scroll down to see the pictures, and, we also reveal whenever Murder Before Evensong is a true story…

Murder Before Evensong: New pictures

The plot of Murder Before Evensong is centred around Canon Daniel, who shares Champton rectory with his widowed mother Audrey and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda.

Audrey is said to be feisty and opinionated, although nothing about the new pictures from the set indicate these personality traits!

One snap shows Audrey dressed in a smart black winter coat and scarf while walking alongside her son. Her hair has been set in curls and she’s wearing large pearls in her ears, while the leafy backdrop just highlights what a quaint village they live in.

Canon Daniel has on his clerical collar, a smart black shirt and a navy tailored jacket in the shot with Audrey. He has a dark green, wool coat draped over his arm and is looking off into the distance.

The vicar is also snapped alone inside the rectory, while gazing pensively out of the window. Daniel’s concerned expression can be seen in the reflection of a glass-fronted cabinet.

In the final photo, he’s wearing a casual, burgundy checked shirt, with a brown wool coat over the top. Daniel is sat on the sofa alongside DI Vanloo, deep in conversation about the tragedy that has happened.

DI Vanloo (played by Amit Shah) is dressed in a brown suit, beige shirt and brown tie. Interestingly, the back of the sofa appears to be covered in a leopard print blanket. Could this be an indicator to Audrey’s personality?!

What is the plot?

The story is set in the fictional English village of Champton St Mary in 1988. Filming took place in the West Midlands.

The synopsis for the series 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.”

Things really get going when a body is subsequently found dead at the back of the church, having been stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs.

The synopsis continues: “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.”

Is it based on a true story?

Murder Before Evensong is an adaptation of the first novel by British author Reverend Richard Coles. It now forms part of his bestselling Canon Clement series.

But, although it is fiction, there is a tiny bit of truth to the story.

The vicar, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024, previously said on 5 News: “It looks like an absolutely classic English scene. But then one day Daniel gets up in church and announces to his parish he is going to install a new lavatory.

“That sets in chain the sequence of events that leads to murder and mayhem. Daniel’s job is to figure out who, how and why.”

Rev Coles added: “The biggest row I ever had in church was when I stood up one Sunday and announced we were planning to install a new lavatory. People went absolutely bananas.

“Another time, there was an argument over whether you should have one bite or two bite mince pies after a carol service. But it’s not about the mince pies. It’s not about the lavatory. It’s about all the important stuff that bubbles up in people’s lives.

“They bring that to church and, occasionally, with little warning, it erupts like a volcano. Everything is suddenly all over the place.”

FYI – Evensong is a church service held traditionally before sunset, with hymns, prayers and reflection.

When does it start? How many episodes are there?

Murder Before Evensong will air on both Channel 5/ My5 and Acorn TV this autumn. There are six episodes in the series.

Channel 5 is yet to confirm a start date. But, if you’re an Acorn TV subscriber, you can watch it from September 29, 2025.

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Murder Before Evensong stars Channel 5 this autumn and can be streamed for free on My5. It drops onto Acorn TV on September 29, 2025.