A Village Murder Exposes Dark Secrets Behind a Quiet English Community
2025
Crime, Mystery
6 episodes
TheNextHint Score
7.8
7.8 / 10
Overview
Murder Before Evensong puts a murder mystery within the well-known backdrop of an English village parish.↻ Matthew Lewis takes on the role of Canon Daniel Clement, a rector whose everyday duties unexpectedly clash with a deadly investigation once a parishioner is discovered murdered. Instead of a typical police procedural, the series centers on Daniel's personal ties to those around him and the secrets concealed behind the village's serene surface.
Quick Verdict
Murder Before Evensong is suited to viewers who enjoy British murder mysteries that devote as much focus to characters and community bonds as to the investigation. Its most notable distinction is the central part played by Canon Daniel Clement, whose role as a village priest places him remarkably close to both the victims and the suspects.
Murder Before Evensong is a British crime mystery series adapted from Reverend Richard Coles’ 2022 novel of the same title, which is the first installment in the Canon Clement Mysteries. Set in the fictional English village of Champton during the 1980s, the story follows Canon Daniel Clement as he attempts to oversee parish life, only for a murder to abruptly disrupt his peaceful community. As Daniel gets drawn into the investigation, he must also contend with his headstrong mother, Audrey, and finds himself at odds with DS Neil Vanloo, the police detective leading the case.
The six-part adaptation features Matthew Lewis in the role of Daniel Clement, alongside Amanda Redman as Audrey and Amit Shah as DS Vanloo. The mystery unfolds after parishioner Anthony Bowness is discovered dead, and Daniel’s efforts to make sense of the situation bring to light tensions, long-buried secrets, threats and fractures within the congregation.
The series was directed by David Moore, with Nicholas Hicks-Beach writing the television adaptation of Coles’ novel. The Lighthouse produced the drama for Acorn TV and Channel 5. It made its debut on Acorn TV in the US and Canada on September 29, 2025, before airing on Channel 5 in the UK in October.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Murder Before Evensong about?
Set in 1988, Canon Daniel Clement (Matthew Lewis), the Rector of Champton, becomes involved in a murder investigation when a dead body turns up in his church in the mystery series based on the first novel by Reverend Richard Coles.
Is Murder Before Evensong based on a book?
Yes. The series is based on Reverend Richard Coles' 2022 novel Murder Before Evensong, the first book in the Canon Clement Mysteries.
How many episodes are in Murder Before Evensong Season 1?
Season 1 has six episodes, with each episode running about 45 minutes on Apple TV.
Who plays Canon Daniel Clement?
Matthew Lewis plays Canon Daniel Clement, the rector who becomes involved in the murder investigation.
Where was Murder Before Evensong filmed?
The series was filmed in England's West Midlands, including locations around Stourbridge, South Staffordshire, Bridgnorth and Wolverhampton.
Story — Spoiler Free
Canon Daniel Clement is the rector of Champton, where a plan to modify the local church is already provoking conflict among the parishioners. When a man is found murdered, Daniel is drawn into the investigation and starts asking questions of his own. His conduct puts him in conflict with DS Neil Vanloo and exposes secrets that some members of the community would rather keep concealed.
7.8
TheNextHint Score
7.8 / 10
Murder Before Evensong is suited to viewers who enjoy British murder mysteries that devote as much focus to characters and community bonds as to the investigation. Its most notable distinction is the central part played by Canon Daniel Clement, whose role as a village priest places him remarkably close to both the victims and the suspects.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
8.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
7.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The show is strengthened by its unique premise of a priest-detective, a solid main cast, a village setting full of atmosphere, and a mystery that steadily grows beyond the original murder.
Cons
The narrative follows a fairly conventional mystery format, meaning those hoping for a quick-moving or action-heavy crime thriller might find its emphasis on characters as somewhat slow.
Who Should Watch
British Mystery Fans
Crime Drama Fans
Character-Driven Drama Fans
Period Drama Viewers
Who Should Skip
Action Thriller Fans
Modern Crime Drama Fans
Release Date
2025-09-29
Runtime
45 minutes per episode
Director
David Moore
Producer
Radford Neville
Writer
Nicholas Hicks-Beach
Cast
Matthew Lewis, Amanda Redman, Amit Shah, Adam James, Meghan Treadway, Alexander Delamain, Marion Bailey, Amanda Hadingue, Tamzin Outhwaite, Francis Magee, Nina Toussaint-White, Ben Batt, Sam Baker-Jones, Emma Beattie, Ken Bones
The rector of Champton who becomes involved in investigating the murders.
Amanda Redman
as
Audrey Clement
Daniel's strong-willed mother who shares the rectory with him.
Amit Shah
as
DS Neil Vanloo
The police detective responsible for investigating the murders.
Adam James
as
Bernard de Floures
A prominent member of the local community.
Meghan Treadway
as
Honor de Floures
A member of the de Floures family.
Alexander Delamain
as
Alex de Floures
Another member of the de Floures family.
Tamzin Outhwaite
as
Stella Harper
A member of the Champton community.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
6 episodes September 29, 2025Completed
Canon Daniel Clement becomes involved in a murder investigation after a parishioner is found dead, with the case gradually exposing threats, family tensions and secrets buried within the Champton community.
1Episode 1
45 min September 29, 2025
Daniel's mother Audrey arrives unexpectedly just as parishioner Anthony Bowness is found dead. Daniel investigates while threats begin to reach him.
2Episode 2
45 min October 6, 2025
Daniel digs further into Anthony's murder and clashes with DS Vanloo, while evidence points toward someone within the congregation.
3Episode 3
45 min October 13, 2025
Stella sees gamekeeper Edgy near the murder site, while suspicion surrounding Ned grows and another body is discovered in the lake.
4Episode 4
45 min October 20, 2025
Daniel connects the murders with wartime secrets, while Vanloo investigates Jane and Daniel's actions create further tension.
5Episode 5
45 min October 27, 2025
Vanloo turns his attention to Nathan, Audrey discovers who has been sending Daniel threatening letters, and Daniel finds a hidden skeleton.
6Episode 6
45 min November 3, 2025
Daniel prepares a trap for the killer after his discovery, forcing him to confront a serious personal and ethical dilemma.
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