Matthew Lewis, widely recognized for his portrayal of Neville Longbottom in the “Harry Potter” film franchise, is taking on a new role, leading the cast of Acorn TV and Channel 5’s upcoming murder mystery series, “Murder Before Evensong.” The six-part series, adapted from the first novel in Reverend Richard Coles’ best-selling “Canon Clement Mysteries,” looks like it will be a blend of British charm, intriguing secrets, and deadly consequences.
The series centers around Canon Daniel Clement, played by Lewis, whose quiet parish life is shattered when a parishioner turns up dead in the church. The murder, committed with a seemingly ordinary pair of secateurs, coincides with a contentious proposal to install a lavatory within the sacred space. As Clement investigates, he uncovers long-buried secrets and a web of grudges within his community, revealing that the seemingly peaceful village harbors dark undercurrents. A series of subsequent murders transforms the investigation from a singular tragedy into a perplexing and dangerous puzzle.
Nick Hicks-Beach is adapting Coles’ novel for the screen, and David Moore will direct. Clement’s household, featuring his widowed mother, Audrey, and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda, provides a touch of heartwarming levity amid the suspense. The victim of the initial murder is Anthony Bowness, a character whose demise sets in motion a cascade of events that will test Clement’s resolve and challenge his assumptions about those closest to him.
“Murder Before Evensong” is a co-production between Acorn TV and Channel 5, filmed in the picturesque West Midlands with support from the West Midlands Production Fund. Filming is scheduled for 2025, and the series is slated to premiere on Acorn TV globally and Channel 5 in the UK during the same year. Acorn TV holds worldwide rights outside the UK, with AMC Networks handling global content sales.
Further casting announcements are anticipated soon.
