When you’re looking to unwind after a busy day, Murder Before Evensong is the perfect cosy crime drama to dive into. Based on Reverend Richard Coles' bestselling novel, this charming yet suspenseful series follows life in a quiet parish that’s shaken when a shocking murder takes place inside the church.
Matthew Lewis (best known for playing Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films) leads the Channel 5 drama as Daniel Clement, a rector with an adorable Dachshund and an outspoken mother (Amanda Redman), who helps the police with their investigations.
What's the plot of Murder Before Evensong?
"Canon Daniel Clement, introverted Rector of the picturesque English village of Champton, has his life turned upside-down when his infuriating mother Audrey arrives unannounced, dragging up memories Daniel would rather not confront," the synopsis teases.
"But a more serious challenge awaits Daniel when he stumbles upon the body of his parishioner, Anthony Bowness, cousin of Lord de Floures.
"Daniel must delve under the veneer of village life to piece together clues and uncover long-buried secrets, navigating the press and public eye and the ire of his superior, the bishop. Daniel is forced to question who he can trust, and whether he himself was the intended murder victim."
Murder Before Evensong trailer
Watch the official trailer for Murder Before Evensong below to get a glimpse of the mystery unfolding in the picturesque village of Champton.
Is Murder Before Evensong based on a book?
Yes! The drama is a book adaptation of the first novel in Reverend Richard Coles' Canon Clement Mysteries series.
AmazonSpeaking to Radio Times, actor Amit Shah (who plays DS Neil Vanloo) said: "There are some characters in the show that do exist in the novel and some that don't.
"It's very much an adaptation, and I think the creative team of the show really wanted to push the boundaries and make it slightly darker and edgier than your regular cosy crime drama."
Cast of Murder Before Evensong
• Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter, All Creatures Great and Small) as Canon Daniel Clement
• Amanda Redman (New Tricks, The Good Karma Hospital) as Audrey
• Amit Shah (Happy Valley, Mr Bates vs The Post Office) as DS Neil Vanloo
• Adam James (Doctor Foster, Vigil) as Bernard De Floures
• Meghan Treadway (Infinite, Flack) as Honoria De Floures
• Alexander Delamain (TV breakthrough role) as Alex De Floures
• Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, New Tricks) as Stella Harper
• Nina Toussaint-White (Witness Number 3, EastEnders) as Jane Thwaite
• Marion Bailey (All or Nothing, Vera Drake) as Kath
• Amanda Hadingue (Kaos, Good Omens) as Dora
• Francis Magee (Kin, The Tourist) as Edgy
Where did they film Murder Before Evensong?
The Channel 5 crime drama Murder Before Evensong, produced by Acorn, was filmed over 13 weeks earlier this year, primarily across the West Midlands. Key locations included Stourbridge, where scenes were shot in Mary Stevens Park and outside a nearby council building, as well as the village of Gornal in Dudley, which features historic areas like Upper and Lower Gornal, Gornal Wood, the Crooked House pub, the local library, and the crematorium.
Filming also took place in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, with the town centre, Church Street, and areas near the old post office and church serving as backdrops. Additionally, the Queen Street building in Wolverhampton was used as a location, showcasing the series' use of a variety of distinctive West Midlands and Shropshire settings.
What's the release date for Murder Before Evensong?
The six-part series _Murder Before Ev_ensong is coming to Channel 5 at 9pm on Tuesday, 7th October.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and exploring the outdoors with her three dogs.