Inspector Morse Prequel Endeavour Commissioned for a New Four-Part Series

Earlier this year, UK broadcaster ITV aired a one off TV-film prequel to the beloved Inspector Morse mysteries. Called Endeavour, the drama features Shaun Evans stepping into the role made famous by John Thaw for a look at the beginning of the detective’s career. The prequel, set in 1965, chronicles Endeavour Morse’s early days on the force in Oxford, when he is given the career making opportunity to investigate the murder of a fifteen year-old girl. 

Those of us in America haven’t even seen Endeavour for ourselves yet – it’s slated to air this summer on Masterpiece Mystery – but, even so, all the Morse fans out there can breathe an early sigh of relief. The one-off film proved so popular for ITV that the drama is already set to return for a full series.  Four two-hour episodes have been confirmed, to be filmed on location in Oxford later this year, presumably for a 2013 broadcast. Roger Allam will also return as young Morse’s senior partner Inspector Fred Thursday, as well as James Bradshaw who plays Dr. Max Debryn. Thaw’s daughter, Abigail, will also make further guest appearances in the new episodes.

“It was fantastic that the audience responded so warmly to Endeavour,” said Sally Haynes of the ITV Drama Commissioning team. “Shaun’s portrayal of a legendary character was captivating and Endeavour thoroughly deserves a series – there’s so much more we can do with the character."

Source: ITV Press Centre