Matthew Lewis will star in Murder Before Evensong, the Acorn TV and Channel 5 murder mystery drama we told you about last month.
The Harry Potter star will play Canon Daniel Clement in the series, which is based on the first novel in a best-selling book series from Strictly Come Dancing contestant and broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles. Further casting announcements will follow.
Clement shares his rectory with his opinionated and fearless widowed mother and two dachshund dogs. As Daniel announces a controversial plan to install a lavatory in the church, dividing his town, the cousin to Champton’s patron Bernard de Floures is found dead at the back of the church, stabbed in the neck with a pair of secateurs. Bodies begin to pile up as the police move in, and Daniel is forced to keep his fractured community together and catch the killer.
“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,” said Lewis. “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.”
Channel 5 and Acorn have now confirmed our scoop from last month. Lighthouse Film & TV is producing, with Nick Hicks-Beach (Lewis, Midsomer Murders) adapting the books for TV and David Moore (Fool Me Once, Outlander) directing. Shooting will begin next year in the West Midlands, UK, with support from the West Midlands Production Fund. Acorn and Channel 5 will launch it later in the year.
“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,” said Coles. “Look out for a sinister archdeacon on a sit up and beg bicycle.”
Coles is an executive producer alongside The Lighthouse’s Radford neville, Acorn TV/Acorn Media Enterprises Catherine Mackin and Don Klees and Channel 5 Commissioning Editor for Drama Paul Testar. Acorn owner AMC Networks has international sales rights outside of the UK.
Mackin, Managing Director of Acorn Media Enterprises, added: “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.”
