Filming begins this week on the previously confirmed fifth series of Mammoth Screen and ITV’s Inspector Morse prequel, Endeavour.
Shaun Evans returns as the recently promoted Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse in the six feature-length films which are due for transmission next year.
Also returning will be Roger Allam as Detective Chief Inspector Fred Thursday, Anton Lesser as Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright, Dakota Blue Richards as WPC Shirley Trewlove, Sean Rigby as Sergeant Jim Strange, James Bradshaw as Dr. Max DeBryn, Caroline O’Neil as Win Thursday and Abigail Thaw as Dorothea Frazil. The series also sees the arrival of new recruit Detective Constable George Fancy, played by Lewis Peek (Poldark), whom Morse has to reluctantly mentor.
The new series begins with Morse having finally passed his Sergeant’s exams, as Oxford City Police merges into Thames Valley Constabulary. Joan Thursday (Sara Vickers) has returned to Oxford, but much is unresolved following her disappearance the previous year and Endeavour’s unexpected proposal.
Series writer and creator Russell Lewis says: “As production begins on Endeavour ’68, many of the global tensions of that most turbulent year have found their way into our six new mysteries.
“’67’s Summer of Love seems already a distant memory. Dark clouds are gathering at home and abroad as, after almost 100 years, the long history of Oxford City Police comes to an end.
“A terrible storm is set to blow through the professional and personal lives of newly promoted Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse and Oxford’s Finest, leaving devastation in its wake.”
Filming will take place in and around Oxford and the South East.
The new films will be executive produced by Russell Lewis, alongside former Endeavour producer Tom Mullens, Mammoth Screen’s Managing Director Damien Timmer and Rebecca Eaton for WGBH. John Phillips (Stan Lee’s Lucky Man) and Neil Duncan (Fortitude) will produce the new series, with Brady Hood (Sweet Maddie Stone) directing Film 1 and Andy Wilson (Unforgotten) directing Film 2.
Tom Mullens says: “We’re delighted that Endeavour will return next year with an extended run of films.
“It gives Russell Lewis an even bigger canvas to work with, and he has some striking stories to tell about 1968, a time of revolution in the wider world, and in the personal life of Endeavour Morse.
“It’s an honour to have Shaun Evans, Roger Allam and the rest of the team back on board for this new run.”
The Inspector Morse novels were written by Colin Dexter, who died last month. “It was a privilege to work with Colin on Endeavour, and everyone involved will miss his contribution to the show.
“He was the most delightful collaborator with a razor shape mind. We hope this new series will continue to do his legacy justice”, says Mammoth Screen’s Damien Timmer.
