Deadline is reporting that Matthew Lewis will be starring in a new crime drama, Murder Before Evensong, for Acorn TV (USA) and Channel 5 (UK). According to Deadline, the show has been under development for a couple years and is based on the novel Murder Before Evensong by Reverend Richard Coles.
Matthew will be playing the main character, Daniel Clement. The description of the book can be read below. Light spoilers after the first couple paragraphs;
Canon Daniel Clement is Rector of Champton. He has been there for eight years, living at the Rectory alongside 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 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 moves 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.
Matt Lewis had this to say of the casting:
“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.”
The show is based on this first book in a series by the Reverend. Hopefully this leads to a few seasons of the show for fans to enjoy.
Managing Director of Acorn Media Enterprises, Catherine Mackin, had the following to say about Matthew:
“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 and Matthew, as well as our partners at The Lighthouse and Channel 5, to bring this highly praised bestseller to the small screen.”
Paul Testar of Channel 5 added “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.”
The series will begin filming in 2025 in the West Midlands and is due to air later in the year on Acorn TV worldwide and Channel 5 in the UK.
