Agatha Christie Fans Must Watch This Harry Potter Star’s Genius New 88% RT Mystery Thriller

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Agatha Christie truly deserves her title as the Queen of Mystery. She wrote over 60 novels and numerous short story collections, and her work has been adapted into countless TV shows, films, and stage plays. However, for devoted Christie fans who’ve read everything she’s written, there are plenty of other captivating murder mysteries and thrillers available. A great example is the new British series, Murder Before Evensong, which features Matthew Lewis – best known for his role in Harry Potter.

Matthew Lewis is best known for playing Neville Longbottom in all the Harry Potter films. As one of Harry’s classmates and a member of Gryffindor, Neville evolved into a significant character throughout the series. Following Harry Potter, Lewis continued to act in films like Me Before You and Terminal, and appeared in British TV dramas such as Ripper Street and Happy Valley. He also performed on stage in an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Verdict. Now, Lewis is starring in a new murder mystery, Murder Before Evensong, playing Canon Daniel Clement. This show, based on a book series, is sure to appeal to fans of Agatha Christie.

Murder Before Evensong Is Based on a Murder Mystery Book Series

Agatha Christie’s books have inspired many films and TV shows, particularly those featuring her famous detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Poirot, a brilliant Belgian detective, is Christie’s most well-known character and appears in classic novels like Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Both of these stories have been recently adapted into films starring Kenneth Branagh (also known for his role in Harry Potter). Miss Marple, on the other hand, is a charming older woman who solves murders in her village using her understanding of people. The best adaptation of her stories is generally considered to be the Miss Marple TV series starring Joan Hickson.

Though reminiscent of Miss Marple’s cases, Murder Before Evensong features Canon Daniel Clement, an amateur investigator rather than a professional detective. The story begins when a member of his community is found murdered inside the village church. Canon Clement himself discovers the body while at the church preparing for evensong – a traditional evening prayer service.

Similar to Agatha Christie’s novels, Murder Before Evensong is a classic whodunit taking place in a close-knit village with a small group of potential killers. The local priest, Canon Clement, assists the detective by sharing his knowledge of the villagers and using his relationships with the suspects to gather clues. But as the investigation unfolds, the detective suggests the crime may have actually been meant for Clement himself, making it a surprisingly personal case.

As the investigation into Murder Before Evensong unfolds, it becomes clear that hidden secrets and mysteries are central to the crime, and even to events that happened beforehand. Nearly everyone involved is keeping something hidden, and while these secrets may not directly impact the case, they could still be exposed, with devastating consequences. When a new threat emerges, and another murder occurs, Canon Clement teams up with Detective Sergeant Vanloo to solve the crimes and prevent further loss of life.

The Murder Mystery Series Is Also a Period Drama

As a real fan of these mysteries, I found Murder Before Evensong particularly compelling because it’s set in the late 1980s, and the case really shed light on the bigger arcs of the series. The most powerful one, for me, was how it dealt with the AIDS epidemic and Canon Clement’s work visiting those who were ill – even though his mother and some in the church didn’t approve. Clement is portrayed as surprisingly forward-thinking for a man of the cloth, someone who embraces people the church often rejects, which instantly makes you root for him.

Canon Clement’s visits to people with AIDS become a significant event in the story, attracting media attention and causing conflict with his mother and the church, who disapprove of his involvement. This highlights the widespread prejudice against AIDS patients at the time, similar to the impact when Princess Diana publicly showed compassion by shaking the hands of patients. While the series doesn’t focus heavily on the Royal family or Princess Diana’s work, Canon Clement’s actions echo her efforts to change public attitudes and reduce the stigma surrounding AIDS.

The 1980s heavily influence the music in Murder Before Evensong. The songs used in each episode not only create a nostalgic atmosphere, fitting the show’s historical setting, but also enhance the mystery. Like classic Agatha Christie adaptations, Murder Before Evensong offers a comforting yet thrilling murder mystery experience, especially for viewers who enjoy stories set in the past.

Matthew Lewis Shines as Canon Daniel Clement

Matthew Lewis, well-known for his role in the Harry Potter series, particularly Deathly Hallows, demonstrates his range as an actor in Murder Before Evensong. As Canon Daniel Clement, he portrays a compelling mix of vulnerability and strength, using subtle facial expressions to make every scene captivating. The story follows Canon Clement as he navigates a murder investigation within his church, while also grappling with the possibility that he was the intended target.

Canon Clement faces challenges both within his church and personally. He’s working to unite his congregation, which is divided by disagreements over how things are run, all while dealing with his own inner struggles. Clement tries to be a calming influence and stay true to his beliefs, but it’s hard to please everyone. A bright spot in his life is his relationship with his mother, though he’s initially reluctant when she comes to live with him.

Canon Clement’s mother is a determined woman who always gets her way, and while some might find her overbearing, she brings a lively and often funny energy to the murder mystery. Though she disapproves of Clement’s beliefs and the causes he champions, their relationship is difficult. However, she fiercely protects him from those in his parish who try to challenge his leadership, making her a compelling and multifaceted character.

Canon Daniel Clement Could Become a Popular Amateur Sleuth on TV

As a big mystery fan, I recently checked out Murder Before Evensong, and it’s based on Richard Coles’ novel from 2022 – he’s actually a Church of England priest, which adds a cool layer to the story! The main character, Canon Clement, is fantastic, and he’s featured in a whole series – there are five books out now, with the latest released in 2025. I was really pleased to see stars alongside Lewis as Detective Sergeant Neil Vanloo; he pops up in other Canon Clement mysteries too, so it’s great to see the character development continue.

Similar to popular detective shows like Poirot and Miss Marple, Canon Clement has the potential to become a regular TV detective. If successful, Murder Before Evensong could lead to a series of miniseries based on the rest of the Canon Clement books. A key reason the show is so engaging is the strong on-screen chemistry between Matthew Lewis (as Canon Clement) and Amit Shah (as DS Vanloo). If the show maintains its quality and suspense, both actors could return to adapt future books in the series.

New episodes of Murder Before Evensong are released every Monday on AcornTV in the US and Canada, and the show also airs on Channel 5 in the UK. For Harry Potter fans, seeing Matthew Lewis star in another book adaptation is a special treat – this time as the lead! The show itself is a compelling murder mystery in the style of classic Agatha Christie novels, and it’s hoped that Murder Before Evensong will launch a new, exciting series featuring an amateur detective working alongside a skilled professional to solve various crimes.

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2025-10-26 20:12