Murder Before Evensong Review: Matthew Lewis’ Old-School Murder Mystery

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Only Murders in the Building might enjoy a good mystery involving bodies underwater, but the Acorn TV original Murder Before Evensong takes a different approach. Harry Potter’s Matthew Lewis takes the lead as Canon Daniel Clement, the local priest in the village of Champton. You’ll quickly forget Neville Longbottom, as this show offers a similar vibe to Arconia, but with charming countryside scenery and cozy cottages. – largely thanks to the original author, Nicholas Hicks-Beach, who also adapted it for television – the series openly plays on familiar feelings, which is both a strength and a weakness.

Canon Daniel Clement faces a tough task: a body has been found in the church, and the villagers all harbor hidden secrets. Becoming the new vicar in a close-knit community isn’t easy, but Murder Before Evensong doesn’t shy away from challenges. Part of the enjoyment with authors like Hicks-Beach is seeing how they piece everything together. When a well-known resident dies unexpectedly and emotions run high, the central question becomes: who possessed both the opportunity and the reason to commit this crime?

Murder Before Evensong Lays Some Solid Foundations

There are many things to appreciate about Murder Before Evensong, whether you’re a Harry Potter fan excited to see Matthew Lewis shine, or simply someone who enjoys a well-crafted murder mystery. While the setting appears idyllic, with white picket fences stretching into the distance, it’s clear that something isn’t right beneath the surface. The series expertly builds its story by subtly introducing key plot points through its characters, creating a perfect foundation for the mystery to unfold.

It’s immediately clear how fast-paced this show is. Similar to every episode of Midsomer Murders, viewers are quickly thrown into a situation where everyone – even the wealthy landowners – has a reason to be involved. Murder Before Evensong fully leans into this, turning everyone in Champton into a suspect almost immediately. Those familiar with this type of mystery will recognize the work of an experienced creator, as Evensong is remarkably clever. Hicks-Beach expertly manages the storyline, sets the mood, and steadily increases the suspense as the plot unfolds.

Beyond seeing Matthew Lewis play a serious role, the fun of this murder mystery largely comes from how the plot twists and turns. Director Hicks-Beach keeps viewers hooked by continually changing expectations. Familiar character types are used throughout, and Tamzin Outhwaite draws on her experience in soap operas to make shopkeeper Stella Harper a particularly memorable character. The local Lord Bernard De Flores, brought to life by Adam James, is also a strong character – both arrogant and condescending, but essential to the narrative.

By intentionally misleading viewers and creating confusion, Murder Before Evensong juggles a lot of plot threads, and the full picture won’t become clear until after the story is over. Similar to Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile or Rian Johnson’s brilliant Knives Out, the story itself is the most important part. Even talented actors can’t save a murder mystery if the writing isn’t strong. This is why the follow-up to Knives Out didn’t quite succeed – just having Benoit Blanc involved wasn’t enough. What Hicks-Beach, and any skilled writer, does is build a strong base, understanding that meaningful content is always more important than flashy presentation. But when those core elements are solid, the ensemble cast is able to truly shine and deliver their best performances.

Matthew Lewis Impresses as a Man of God

Murder Before Evensong is surprisingly refreshing, largely thanks to Matthew Lewis. While the actor may feel defined by his role in Harry Potter, it’s clear Neville Longbottom brought him a great deal of recognition. Fortunately, this original series from Acorn TV showcases his wider range as an actor. As Canon Daniel Clement, he gives a performance worthy of the adaptation. His character is the go-to person for advice in the community, navigating difficult council meetings, handling claims of bias, and working with the police to question potential suspects. He plays the role realistically, avoiding over-the-top acting, though it’s sometimes challenging for him to make Canon Clement a truly unique character. Nevertheless, his on-screen connection with Amit Shah, who plays DS Neil Vanloo, is compelling and keeps viewers engaged.

Chemistry is key to making a show work, even if Vanloo and Clement don’t always share the screen. Just as Columbo depended on Peter Falk’s talent, Evensong needs a similar strong lead performance. But what makes Columbo feel more polished than Evensong isn’t about the star’s fame; it’s about how well we know the characters, and Evensong doesn’t have enough time to build that connection. Instead, the creators have given Lewis a strong supporting cast to enhance his performance without stealing the show. This ensemble subtly develops the background characters, creating a sense of familiarity and making them feel real enough to have believable motivations. However, one actor in the group, well-known from Jonathan Glazer’s Sexy Beast, nearly outshines Matthew Lewis as his mother, Audrey.

Audrey Is a Formidable Murder Mystery Matriarch

Amanda Redman delivers a powerful performance in Murder Before Evensong. Though she’s well-known from her work on BBC television and a few memorable shows, some viewers might expect her to be past her prime. But, judging by her portrayal of Audrey Clement – a character who bursts onto the scene with strong moral outrage and a motherly spirit – Redman continues to give it her all. She is truly impressive in every way, commanding a significant amount of screen time and making her character stand out from the rest.

Audrey consistently demonstrates strength, whether she’s confronting Stella Harper or addressing issues with her son, Daniel. When Audrey, Shah, and Redman share the screen, this murder mystery becomes surprisingly compelling. Redman’s performance also adds emotional resonance, revealing important details about the character’s past and enriching her connection with Lewis. In a town populated by well-developed but predictable characters, Audrey stands out as a revitalizing force.

It’s clear that Redman enjoys playing this character, and while Audrey might be a bit sharper, she confidently delivers cutting remarks, fully embracing the dramatic moments and bringing energy to a series that sometimes feels too cautious. But Murder Before Evensong offers more than just strong acting; the show also subtly incorporates social commentary. It unexpectedly explores the AIDS epidemic through understated hints, which may surprise viewers anticipating a typical mystery.

Murder Before Evensong Is No Match for Knives Out

While that social commentary might not entirely redeem Murder Before Evensong, it does help give the show a unique perspective. As the characters’ histories are revealed and Canon Daniel Clement becomes more comfortable in his role, this underlying message connects to a time when bias fueled by false information was widespread. Thankfully, with an experienced director of mystery adaptations guiding the series, viewers can trust that all the pieces fit together. The inclusion of that challenging illness serves a clear purpose and isn’t meant to cause offense. Rather, it’s a way of reminding modern audiences how far society has come in terms of awareness and inclusivity.

The success of this show hinges on how well it develops its characters, and the more realistic the dramatic moments, the more engaged viewers become. That’s why addressing a powerful issue like the AIDS epidemic is both courageous and smart. By bringing this topic to the forefront, Murder Before Evensong creates a strong sense of when and where the story takes place, adding depth and showing an understanding of events happening in the wider world. For a series that relies on familiar character types and follows the style of Midsomer Murders, this creativity is impressive on its own. However, whether Murder Before Evensong is truly worthy of comparison now has a clear answer.

This series doesn’t often take risks or try to be groundbreaking. Viewers will likely tune in because of Matthew Lewis and the interest surrounding him, but beyond that, don’t expect many surprises. It borrows heavily from the Midsomer formula and delivers exactly what you’d anticipate. This means the mysteries will be intricate, the acting will be strong from a capable cast, and the story will move at a well-judged speed. Don’t go in expecting something completely new, though. It’s not like Poker Face, and it lacks the special, memorable qualities of Clue that would make it stand out. Murder Before Evensong is like a familiar, comforting meal for those who enjoy murder mysteries that are predictable. Think more along the lines of Butter Knives Out than anything truly innovative.

Murder Before Evensong premiered September 29 on Acorn TV, releasing new episodes weekly.

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2025-09-30 06:11