Matt Edmondson & Mollie King Launch Interactive Comedy Crime Podcast With Unwritten Ending
Matt Edmondson and Mollie King are rewriting the rules of storytelling. The BBC Radio 1 co-hosts have announced the launch of a brand-new comedy crime podcast that does something rarely attempted in modern audio fiction — it leaves the ending unwritten.
Titled Matt and Mollie’s Novel Idea, the weekly series blends murder mystery, improvisational comedy and unpredictable plot twists — with listeners ultimately helping shape how the story concludes. The first episode lands on major podcast platforms from 4 March, with new chapters released every Wednesday.
But what makes this series different from countless other true crime and fictional drama podcasts dominating the charts?
The answer: even the writers don’t know who committed the crime.
Instead of outlining the full storyline in advance, Edmondson and King take turns writing alternating chapters of the same crime novel. There is:
❌ No pre-planned ending
❌ No agreed plot direction
❌ No veto power
❌ No spoilers between writers
Each week, one host must continue the story exactly where the other left off — regardless of how wild, romantic, chaotic or illogical the previous twist may be.
Speaking about the concept, Matt Edmondson joked that the traditional idea that “two heads are better than one” may need serious reconsideration.
“Never before in the history of literature has an author written a whodunnit and not known whodidit,” he said.
In other words, this is collaborative storytelling without a safety net.
Meet Detective Ian Chalk: A Flawed Antihero at the Centre of the Chaos
4
The fictional detective driving the narrative is Ian Chalk — a morally complicated antihero admired by Matt and openly disliked by Mollie.
From the opening chapter, Chalk is thrown into a suspicious aristocratic death at Willow Manor. The victim? Wealthy businessman Augustus Smythe, who appears to have died in bizarre fashion after his tie became tangled in a paper shredder.
But was it an accident?
Or something far more sinister?
Doubts emerge quickly, especially when it’s revealed that Smythe’s will was also shredded — and later stitched back together.
The plot thickens further with the introduction of DI Brie Roquefort, Chalk’s sharp new colleague, who wastes no time in challenging his methods.
On just her second day, she makes a bold declaration:
One of the six dinner guests at Willow Manor is responsible for murder.
And just like that, the investigation formally begins.
The Cheddar Gorge Clue That Could Change Everything
The first chapter doesn’t just introduce the present mystery. It plants a seed from the past.
There are subtle hints about a mysterious incident involving Detective Chalk inside a cave at Cheddar Gorge — a detail that raises more questions than answers.
What happened inside the cave?
How does it connect to the current case?
Is Chalk hiding something?
Could he be more involved than he appears?
Because the plot is written week by week, even the creators don’t know how — or if — these threads will connect.
And that unpredictability is precisely the hook.
Narrated by a Familiar Voice
Bringing cohesion to the unfolding narrative is narrator Steffan Powell, known for his work across BBC Radio and television, including Doctor Who Unleashed.
His narration provides continuity and dramatic grounding as the plot veers between comedy and crime.
In a format that thrives on spontaneity, Powell acts as the calm in the storm — delivering each twist with theatrical flair.
Why This Podcast Could Become 2026’s Breakout Audio Hit
The timing of the launch couldn’t be more strategic.
The podcast landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with audiences gravitating toward:
Interactive storytelling
Fictional crime series
Personality-driven shows
Weekly episodic suspense
Collaborative creative formats
Matt and Mollie’s Novel Idea ticks every box.
Unlike polished scripted dramas that are completed before release, this series evolves live — shaped by:
This hybrid approach could widen its appeal across multiple audience demographics.
Creative Tension: When Co-Hosts Disagree on Murder… and Romance
If crime is the backbone of the story, creative tension is its heartbeat.
Mollie King admitted the writing process has been equal parts joyful and painful.
“I’ve cried with joy and pain throughout this experience,” she revealed.
The friction reportedly stems from differing visions for the narrative tone — particularly when it comes to romance elements that Mollie has subtly introduced into the crime plot.
Matt, meanwhile, appears more focused on dark absurdity and chaotic twists.
This dynamic ensures that each chapter feels distinct, sometimes shifting tone dramatically from week to week.
And that unpredictability may be its greatest strength.
A Format That Breaks Literary Convention
Traditional crime fiction follows a structured formula:
Establish the crime
Introduce suspects
Scatter clues
Reveal red herrings
Deliver a satisfying resolution
Matt and Mollie have intentionally dismantled that structure.
There is no master outline. No secret document detailing the killer. No roadmap toward resolution.
Even the creators are discovering the truth alongside listeners.
That makes the podcast less like a novel — and more like a live experiment in storytelling.
The Role of the Audience: How Listeners Shape the Ending
Perhaps the most innovative element is the open-ended finale.
Listeners will eventually influence how the mystery concludes.
While specific mechanics are yet to be revealed, the hosts have confirmed that audience engagement will play a role in determining the final chapter.
This strategy aligns with broader digital trends where audiences expect:
Direct interaction
Voting power
Comment-driven content evolution
Community participation
In the age of TikTok storytelling threads and interactive streaming content, passive consumption is fading.
Matt and Mollie are leaning into the participatory era.
Release Date, Schedule and Where to Listen
Key details for listeners:
📅 Launch Date: 4 March 2026
🗓 New Episodes: Every Wednesday
🎙 Available On: Major podcast platforms
🎧 Production: Matt & Mollie Production
The weekly release schedule ensures suspense builds gradually — encouraging social media speculation between episodes.
Why This Matters for the Podcast Industry
The show represents more than a novelty.
It reflects three major shifts in modern media:
1. Personality-Led Audio Is Dominating
Audiences are loyal to hosts they feel connected to — sometimes more than the content itself.
2. Fiction Podcasts Are Resurging
After years dominated by true crime documentaries, fictional crime dramas are making a comeback.
3. Interactive Storytelling Is the Future
From gaming to streaming, participatory formats are growing rapidly.
If successful, Matt and Mollie’s Novel Idea could inspire a new wave of unscripted collaborative fiction podcasts.
What Could Happen Next in the Story?
With six dinner guests under suspicion, several narrative paths could unfold:
A staged suicide cover-up
A forged will conspiracy
Romantic entanglements clouding judgement
A hidden connection to Cheddar Gorge
Detective Chalk’s own secrets unraveling
And because neither host has long-term control, every episode risks overturning the previous one’s assumptions.
The Bigger Picture: From Radio Hosts to Storytellers
Both presenters have built strong careers in broadcasting.
Matt Edmondson has become a recognisable voice across BBC Radio 1.
Mollie King balances music, radio and media appearances.
This podcast marks a creative evolution — positioning them not just as presenters but as narrative architects. Whether the experiment descends into chaos or becomes a cult hit remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: No one — not even its creators — knows how the mystery ends. And that might be the perfect hook.
