There's a darkness to this 'cosy crime'

Rev Richard Coles' sleuthing vicar comes to the small screen.

- By Rachael Popow

It's set in the 1980s, features a sleuthing vicar and is based on a bestselling book written by a celebrity author (in this case, pop star-turned-broadcaster-and-clergyman the Rev Richard Coles).

So, 5's new drama Murder Before Evensong might seem like the textbook definition of ‘cosy crime’.

However, Matthew Lewis, who plays the lead role of Canon Daniel Clement, believes there's much more to the series than that.

The actor, who has carved out an impressive CV since first finding fame as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies, says: "I think this will subvert expectations; if people come looking for that type of story, I hope they're not put off by the series, and I also hope people who would enjoy the mystery aren't put off from watching because they think it's ‘cosy crime’.