Release Date Set! Murder Before Evensong TV Show Hits Acorn September 2025

Last Updated on April 22, 2026

If your perfect night in involves a pot of tea, a quiet English village, and the guarantee that someone will wind up dead before the credits roll, then circle September 29th in your diary.

That’s when Murder Before Evensong makes its debut on Acorn TV, bringing Reverend Richard Coles’ beloved whodunit from the page to the screen.

This adaptation promises all the hallmarks of a perfect cozy crime with eccentric villagers, secrets buried under polished pews, and a vicar who finds himself solving more than just theological quandaries.

So, let’s take a stroll through the churchyard together and see what’s in store.

Murder, Mayhem, and a Church Lavatory

If you haven’t already read the book, which I highly recommend, here’s a quick synopsis of what to expect.

At the heart of Murder Before Evensong is Canon Daniel Clement, the rector of the sleepy English village of Champton.

Daniel is the sort of protagonist who’s as likely to be found wrestling with parish council politics as with the finer points of theology.

He shares the rectory with his formidable, opinionated, and ever-so-slightly meddlesome mother, Audrey, and his two dachshunds, Cosmo and Hilda.

The drama begins innocently enough: Daniel proposes installing a lavatory in the church. You’d think this would be a straightforward improvement, after all, even the most devout parishioner can’t be expected to hold it through a long sermon.

But in Champton, change is never simple. The proposal splits the congregation, and as old grievances bubble to the surface, it becomes clear that the village’s tranquil exterior is hiding more than just a few cracked flagstones.

Then, as if to prove that nothing good ever comes from a heated parish meeting, a body is discovered at the back of the church, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs.

The police descend, secrets unravel, and Daniel finds himself not just the shepherd of his flock but its amateur sleuth, trying to keep the peace and catch a killer before the next Evensong.

The Adaptation

One of the big questions with any adaptation is: How closely will it stick to the original? In this case, fans can breathe easy.

The six-part series sticks closely to Coles’ bestselling 2022 novel, with a script adapted by Nick Hicks-Beach (Midsomer Murders, DCI Banks).

With Coles himself serving as executive producer, the sense of humor, warmth, and sly village satire that made the book a hit are intact on screen.

Reverend Coles has even hinted at making a cameo, so keep an eye out for a suspicious-looking archdeacon on a bicycle!

The series is directed by David Moore (Outlander, Shetland, Fool Me Once) and was filmed across real English villages, including those in the West Midlands and Stourbridge’s picturesque Mary Stevens Park.

Those atmospheric visuals, with misty mornings, patchwork fields, and cobblestoned lanes, should more than satisfy fans of cozy crime’s pastoral aesthetic.

And yes, Cosmo and Hilda the dachshunds make their television debut, tails wagging.

Acorn TV will air the show worldwide, while Channel 5 will handle the UK broadcast.

Familiar Faces and New Favorites

Let’s talk casting, because this is where things get especially exciting for fans of British drama.

Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter) is donning the dog collar as Canon Daniel Clement.

Lewis brings a warmth and understated humor to the role, making Daniel both relatable and quietly heroic.

He’s joined by Amanda Redman (of New Tricks fame) as Audrey, the mother you’d want in your corner, unless you’re on the wrong side of a church renovation debate.

The supporting cast is a who’s who of British television talent: Amit Shah (Happy Valley) as DS Neil Vanloo, Adam James (The Day of the Jackal) as Bernard De Floures, Meghan Treadway (One Day) as Honor De Floures, and Tamzin Outhwaite (The Wives) as Stella Harper.

It’s the kind of ensemble that promises not just a gripping mystery, but plenty of delicious character moments.

Why We Will Love It

I thoroughly enjoyed the original book (review here), and while I haven’t gotten around to the next two in the series, I plan to.

It may seem that the world of cozy mysteries is a crowded one, but Murder Before Evensong stands out for a few reasons.

First, there’s the setting. Champton is the kind of village where everyone knows everyone else’s business, but no one ever admits it.

The church is both a sanctuary and a battleground, and the sense of community, warts and all, feels authentic and lived-in.

Then there’s Daniel Clement himself. He’s not your typical detective; he’s a priest, after all, more used to confessions than cross-examinations.

But his empathy, curiosity, and dry wit make him the perfect guide through the village’s tangled relationships.

The show leans into the humor and humanity of the book, balancing the suspense with moments of warmth and even the occasional laugh-out-loud line.

And, we never seem to tire of seeing clergymen and women chasing down the bad guys – think Father Brown, Grantchester, Sister Boniface, and Father Dowling.

More Mysteries on the Horizon?

With Murder Before Evensong being the first in Richard Coles’ Canon Clement series, there’s every chance that, if the show is a hit, we’ll see more of Daniel’s adventures brought to life.

The creative team and cast have all expressed enthusiasm for continuing the story, and the cozy mystery genre has a long tradition of rewarding loyal viewers with new puzzles to solve each season.

So, whether you’re a die-hard cozy mystery fan, a lover of British village life, or just someone who likes their murders with a side of ecclesiastical banter, Murder Before Evensong looks set to deliver.

With a stellar cast, a faithful adaptation, and a story that’s equal parts suspenseful and heartwarming, this is one TV event you won’t want to miss.

Save the Date

With six hour-long episodes, Murder Before Evensong will give viewers time to savor the mystery, the characters, and the subtle comedy of parish life.

Whether it’s the whiff of scandal at a parish council meeting, the clash of tradition and modernity, or the shock of murder in such sacred grounds, this is a show designed to charm and intrigue in equal measure.

Murder Before Evensong premieres September 29th on Acorn TV (worldwide), with Channel 5 airing it in the UK.

So pour yourself a cup of tea, find a cozy blanket, and get ready for a murder mystery that’s equal parts sharp, sincere, and steeped in village secrets.

So, will you be tuning in? I know I will. And if you need me, I’ll be brushing up on my church politics, just in case someone asks me to vote on a new lavatory.