“Richard Cole's book 'Murder Before Evensong' appears on Channel 5, Acorn”

EXCLUSIVE: Acorn TV, the AMC Networks-owned streamer, and Paramount's Channel 5 are teaming up to produce an adaptation of Reverend Richard Coles' bestselling novel Murder before Evensong.

Acorn has been developing the series for around two years with Sky Studios-backed producer The Lighthouse. The streamer will pick up US rights, while Channel 5 will air the drama in the UK.

Murder before Evensong was published in 2022 and introduces Canon Daniel Clement, a rector of Champton who becomes involved in a murder case when a cousin of the church's patron is found stabbed in the neck with secateurs.

Canon Daniel Clement starred in three more of Coles' so-called “cozy crime novels”, including Murder in the monastery And A death in the community.

Midsomer Murders Author Nick Hicks-Beach was involved in the adaptation. Coles is expected to executive produce alongside Hicks-Beach and Lighthouse co-founder Radford Neville. Lighthouse produced Netflix's Prince Andrew film scoop and was behind 61st Street for AMC Networks.

Coles is a media personality in his own right in the United Kingdom. The Church of England priest was previously a co-host on BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live and appeared in season 15 of Be sure to come dance. He is expected to appear on this year's series of the ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.

Acorn TV and Channel 5 have been contacted for comment.