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As 1968 dawns in
ITV’s Endeavour,

there’s turmoil and

change for young

detective Morse…
xford’s dreaming spires and
golden stone buildings are
once again at the heart of ITV
O drama when Endeavour
returns for a fifth series this week.
The Inspector Morse prequel, based
on the detective created by Colin
Dexter and the 1987-2000 TV series
starring John Thaw, sees a
thirtysomething Endeavour Morse
(Shaun Evans) at the start of his
career with Oxford City Police CID,
the city’s colleges and quads forming
a sumptuous backdrop to the murders
that occur with alarming frequency.
Shaun is delighted that, five series
in, ITV has ordered six episodes
rather than the usual four. “I’m very
grateful,” says Shaun, 37, in a thick
Liverpudlian accent that he disguises
when playing Morse. “It’s a once in a Shaun Evans as the
young Inspector Morse and
lifetime opportunity. How often do
A DIFFERENT BEAT Roger Allam as DI Fred Thursday
these things come along in life where
you’re getting to do what you’re Subsequent episodes much remains unresolved following Police is being merged with the
passionate about on a daily involve a spy story, an her miscarriage last year of a baby that newly formed Thames Valley Police,
basis, but for it not to be assassination, and a wasn’t Morse’s, and his unexpected meaning the old guard of Thursday
the same every day?” murder at an army proposal of marriage that was not and Chief Superintendent Reginald
He explains that the barracks in a storyline taken up. Bright (Anton Lesser) are wondering
fifth series picks up a few that sees the return of Shaun hints that at last Morse may if their time is up.
months on from the end of Sam Thursday, the son have moved on from Joan. “What “Thursday has a feeling that the
the fourth; it’s now 1968, a of DI Fred Thursday we’ve tried to achieve this time is that world is moving on in lots of complex
year of global political turmoil (Roger Allam). An you can’t stay heartbroken forever,” ways and that this is the right time to
that featured Enoch Powell’s ‘Rivers overarching storyline about Yardies explains Shaun. “And the best way retire,” explains Roger Allam, 64.
of Blood’ speech, the assassinations – criminal gangs of Jamaican origin to get over that is with a few So the winds of change of the 60s
of Bobby Kennedy and Martin – highlights a new kind of criminality more relationships.” are blowing strongly through Oxford
Luther King Jr, the Paris riots and that Morse and his colleagues were Moving on may be a theme of when Endeavour returns, leaving the
protests against the Vietnam War. not familiar with. Endeavour’s work life, as well. He’s detectives uncertain about the future.
Like the Oxford setting, the Not only is Endeavour’s been promoted to Detective Sergeant As usual, Endeavour’s love life is far
global troubles will inform work life bound up with and instead of being mentored by from settled, which is how Shaun
the plotlines. “THE PEOPLE his boss’s, but his Thursday, is expected to become prefers it.
The first episode romantic life has a mentor himself, to newcomer “The series should be constantly
concerns the murder of MORSE HAS MADE HIS been, too, since George Fancy, a Detective Constable pulling up the carpet in a different

he’s long pined for
way. For Morse, the people he’s made
PHOTOGRAPHS: ITV a prominent don, but SHAUN EVANS back in Oxford, but returning to the cast are Dakota Blue his family are going their separate
played by Poldark’s Lewis Peek. Also
FAMILY ARE ALL GOING
also the life of Oxford’s
Joan Thursday
call girls in a storyline THEIR SEPARATE WAYS”
Richards as WPC Shirley Trewlove
ways. What will he do? That’s the
(Sara Vickers). In
that highlights the city’s
interesting trajectory for this year.”
and Sean Rigby as PC Jim Strange.
this series Joan is
Vicki Power
At the same time, Oxford City
‘town versus gown’ tension.
SATURDAY MAGAZINE 9