CHANNEL 5 AND AMC NETWORKS’ ACORN TV COMMISSION NEW DRAMA ‘MURDER BEFORE EVENSONG’ FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE FILM AND TV 

 MATTHEW LEWIS TO STAR AS CANON DANIEL CLEMENT IN MURDER MYSTERY SERIES BASED ON THE REVEREND RICHARD COLES’ BEST-SELLING NOVELS

Today, Channel 5 and AMC Networks’ Acorn TV have announced the commission of brand-new murder mystery drama series, Murder Before Evensong (6x60’), based on the first novel in the Sunday Times best-selling series by British author the Reverend Richard Coles. 

British actor Matthew Lewis, best known as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film series, will star as Canon Daniel Clement, who shares Champton rectory with his widowed mother - opinionated, fearless, ever-so-slightly annoying Audrey - and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda. 

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. And then Anthony Bowness - cousin to Bernard de Floures, patron of Champton - is found dead at the back of the church, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs. 

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. 

The series will be adapted by Nick Hicks-Beach (Lewis, DCI Banks, Midsomer Murders) and directed by David Moore (Fool Me Once, Outlander, Shetland, Marple). The Reverend Richard Coles and Radford Neville are Executive Producers for The Lighthouse, alongside Catherine Mackin and Don Klees for Acorn TV. The six-part series was commissioned for Channel 5 by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, who will also serve as Executive Producer.

The Reverend Richard Coles, Author of Murder Before Evensong and Executive Producer shared: “I am beyond excited that Canon Clement and his flock are to be turned into television by the brilliant team at The Lighthouse and I’m already planning my cameo appearance. Look out for a sinister archdeacon on a sit up and beg bicycle!”

Matthew Lewis added: “I’m beyond thrilled to be throwing on the old dog collar and diving into the world of Champton so charmingly created by Rev. Richard Coles. I’ve been an admirer of his work for some time and love the characters and stories he’s written. It’s an honour to work with this creative team and have the opportunity to bring the character of Canon Clement to life for fans of the book and new viewers alike.” 

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, Channel 5 commented: “We cannot wait to bring Murder Before Evensong to life, blending intrigue and wit with a truly unique central character. Matthew Lewis is the perfect choice to lead this adaptation of the Reverend Richard Coles’ beloved novel, and with The Lighthouse team behind this series it will offer a fresh take on the murder mystery genre while celebrating the charm and secrets of village life." 

Radford Neville, Executive Producer and Director of The Lighthouse added: “We can’t wait to bring Richard’s fabulous world of vicars, miniature dachshunds and bloody murder to audiences around the globe in this complex and gripping mystery.”

Catherine Mackin, Managing Director, Acorn Media Enterprises (Acorn TV) adds: “Richard’s brilliantly layered storytelling offering surprise and delight around every corner is the exact crime-focused fare Acorn TV’s intellectually curious audience craves. Matthew’s embodiment of Canon Daniel promises a bold and compelling adaptation that we can’t wait to see. We’re delighted to work alongside Richard, Nick, David, Matthew, as well as our partners at The Lighthouse and Channel 5, to bring this highly praised bestseller to the small screen.” 

Paul Ashton, Head of Film & TV, Creative UK adds: “The West Midlands Production Fund is delighted to be supporting the show at such an important moment for the region’s profile as a home for high-end TV - with what we hope will be an instant hit with audiences.” 

The series will begin filming in 2025 in the West Midlands with support from the West Midlands Production Fund and is due to air later in the year on Acorn TV worldwide and Channel 5 in the UK. Acorn TV maintains worldwide rights to Murder Before Evensong outside of the UK with AMC Networks handling global content sales.  

Notes to Editors

About Channel 5 

Channel 5 is a multi-award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Its portfolio includes digital channels 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION. 

Channel 5 and on-demand platform My5 offer a diverse range of critically acclaimed, original programmes featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent – from issue-led documentaries, popular factual series and accessible history shows to premium drama and agenda-setting news & current affairs. 

Channel 5 is the only PSB to air children’s content daily through its much-loved programming strand Milkshake!, home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters. The free to air channel’s distinctive British programming aims to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK. 

This year Channel 5 has continued to attract industry acclaim for documentary White Nanny Black Child, winning both a BAFTA Television Award (specialist factual) and an RTS Award, whilst Endurance Race to the Pole received a BAFTA nomination in the factual entertainment category. In 2023, Who Killed Billie Jo? won best documentary series at the inaugural True Crime Awards and home-grown drama All Creatures Great and Small took home the Stress Buster Award at the Radio Times’ Screen Test Awards. 

About Acorn TV  

AMC Networks’ Acorn TV is North America’s largest streaming service specializing in premium British and international television. Acorn TV adds exclusive programming every week to a deep library of revered mysteries, dramas, and comedies – all commercial-free. 

Acorn TV’s recent slate is comprised of critically acclaimed commissioned and original series including popular New Zealand detective series My Life Is Murder (Lucy Lawless), acclaimed Irish crime thriller Bloodlands (James Nesbitt, co-executive produced by Jed Mercurio), British crime drama Whitstable Pearl (Kerry Godliman), Kiwi romantic comedy Under the Vines and British detective drama Dalgliesh (Bertie Carvel), to name a few. Current and upcoming Acorn TV Original Series include UK detective drama Harry Wild (Jane Seymour), Signora Volpe (Emilia Fox), The Chelsea Detective (Adrian Scarborough) and many more. The above add to a growing catalog of popular bingeable dramas including Jack Irish (Guy Pearce), Doc Martin (Martin Clunes), Deadwater Fell (David Tennant, Cush Jumbo), all 24 seasons of fan-favorite Midsomer Murders and highly-rated drama The Nest, among others.   

“glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” – The Hollywood Reporter “Netflix for the Anglophile” – NPR   

Acorn TV is available for $7.99/month or $79.99/year. Facebook: OfficialAcornTV – Twitter: @AcornTV – Instagram: @Acorn_tv   

About The Lighthouse 

The Lighthouse’s highly anticipated Netflix film Scoop launched in April 2024. Starring Gillian Anderson, Keeley Hawes, Billie Piper and Rufus Sewell, the film portrays the events leading up to Prince Andrew’s infamous Newsnight interview. It was Netflix’s Number 1 film in the UK and reached the Top 10 in 56 countries globally. The film was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding TV Movie category. The Lighthouse also produced two series of 61st Street in association with AMC Studios. Created by Peter Moffat and starring Courtney B Vance, the show was filmed in Chicago and premiered in the US in April 2022. The Lighthouse has several shows due to go into production in 2025.  The company was established in 2020 by Hilary Salmon, Radford Neville and Nick Betts. The team’s extensive credits include Criminal Justice, Three Girls, Luther, Doctor Who, Silk, Good Omens, Our Girl, Youngers, A Discovery of Witches, Undercover, Wuthering Heights and The Borrowers. 

About Creative UK

Creative UK is the national network for the Creative Industries in the UK. We are an independent membership organisation that champions the value of the Creative Industries. We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Creative UK connects talent, business and organisations across the Creative Industries. We invest by identifying untapped potential to accelerate growth, providing tailor made resources and financial expertise. We do all of this because we believe in the power of creativity to change lives. The West Midlands Production Fund was set up with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and has invested in film and TV productions from Steve McQueen’s SMALL AXE to DI RAY for ITV. Wearecreative.uk