Matt Edmondson and Mollie King are taking their long-running Radio 1 friendship into the podcast world with Matt and Mollie’s Novel Idea, a new comedy-meets-crime series that turns improvised storytelling into a murder mystery.
The longtime BBC Radio 1 co-hosts take turns writing each chapter of the same whodunit – with no planning, no spoilers, and absolutely no vetoes – meaning neither knows where the story is headed next. Narrated by Steffan Powell (Doctor Who Unleashed, BBC Radio 2, 5 Live), the weekly podcast blends chaotic creativity, off-the-cuff twists, and plenty of behind-the-scenes banter as their fictional detective, Ian Chalk, attempts to solve a case that even its creators can’t control.
In the opening chapter, listeners meet Detective Ian Chalk – a scruffy antihero adored by Matt and loathed by Mollie. The detective alludes to a mysterious incident inside a cave at Cheddar Gorge before arriving at Willow Manor to investigate the bizarre death of wealthy aristocrat Augustus Smythe. Smythe has been dragged to his demise after his tie becomes tangled in a paper shredder, leading to what appears to be a freak strangulation. But it doesn’t take long for doubts to surface: was it really an accident – or murder?
In a tongue-in-cheek nod to Margot Robbie’s iconic bubble bath cameo in The Big Short, Mollie climbs into the tub to explain the unusual format behind Novel Idea. Just as Robbie once broke down complex finance in a memorable cameo, King offers a playful, splashy guide to how she and Matt’s comedy murder-mystery podcast works – making its anything-can-happen storytelling feel instantly accessible.
Watch the trailer below:
Commenting on the pod, Matt says via a press release: “The phrase ‘two heads are better than one’ needs a rethink. Never before in the history of literature has an author written a whodunnit and not known whodidit. In my first chapter, Augustus Smythe, a wealthy businessman, gets tugged to his demise after his tie gets stuck in a paper shredder, but who is the murderer? Sadly, that’s up to Mollie.”
With Mollie adding: “Have you ever considered writing a novel with your best friend? No, of course you haven’t, you’re not that foolish! I’ve cried with joy and pain throughout this experience so far! I never knew two human beings could have such opposing visions of how a crime/romance could be written! Matt’s gonna kill me for slipping in ‘romance’ there.”
With new episodes landing every Wednesday, Matt Edmondson and Mollie King’s natural on-air chemistry and quick-fire humour carry seamlessly into podcasting, turning the traditional true-crime format on its head. Expect unpredictable twists, outrageous detours and plenty of laughs as the duo try to out-write – and outwit – each other week by week. The final chapter is still unwritten, and listeners are even invited to get involved by helping dream up a title for their Novel Idea.
Novel Idea, a Matt & Mollie Production is available on all major podcast platforms now – listen here.
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