The British detective drama Endeavour is being hailed as an 'outstanding masterpiece' in the thriller genre, with viewers describing it as the 'last television show worth watching'. The series, a prequel to the smash hit Inspector Morse, is available to stream for free on ITVX.
What is Endeavour?
Endeavour is a prequel to the original Inspector Morse series, which starred John Thaw and ran from 1987 to 2000. A second show, Lewis, entertained audiences between 2006 and 2015. Endeavour follows a young Endeavour Morse, portrayed by Shaun Evans, at the beginning of his career as a detective constable, later progressing to detective sergeant with the Oxford City Police CID.
The series spanned nine seasons, set between 1965 and 1972. The pilot episode first aired on ITV in January 2012, followed by series one in 2013. Endeavour enjoyed an 11-year run on television until 2023.
Who Created the Series?
The series was created and written by English television writer Russell Lewis, who developed the prequel to Inspector Morse, penning all 36 episodes across nine seasons. Lewis adapted characters originally created by crime author Colin Dexter, the brains behind the Inspector Morse novels.
The official plot states: 'Set from 1965 into the 1970s, the show follows Endeavour Morse in his early years as a police constable. Working alongside his senior partner DI Fred Thursday, Morse engages in a number of investigations around Oxford.'
Cast and Critical Acclaim
Starring Shaun Evans in the lead, joined by Roger Allam, Anton Lesser, Jack Laskey, Sean Rigby, James Bradshaw, Abigail Thaw, and Caroline O'Neill, the mystery crime series has audiences completely hooked. The show boasts a 90% critics' approval rating and a 92% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, testament to its brilliance.
One critic said: 'If you love English mysteries, and love the old Inspector Morse, you will love young inspector Morse more.' Another added: 'Given another opportunity to wallow, tastefully, in nostalgia for its predecessor, the new show doesn't miss a beat.' A third simply called it 'a treat for the faithful'.
Audience Reactions
Audiences are equally enthralled. One viewer wrote: 'Simply equal to any television ever produced. A must-see for anyone who likes a good mystery, great writing, and superb characters. Best TV series in decades, certainly better than anything the formulaic American shows can offer.'
An IMDB review states: 'The last TV show worth watching. With the decline of good TV shows, I will say that Endeavour continues to be the best show I've seen in quite some time. The characters, cast and plots are perfect. As of today, Endeavour is the only TV show that I spare time to watch.'
Another fan posted: 'I had only watched a few of the original "Morse" series episodes, so was not sure what to expect when "Endeavour" appeared. What I found was a visually stunning and wonderfully crafted period piece, with an exceptionally engaging cast and story lines that were wonderfully convoluted and absolutely entertaining. Endeavour has earned a place in my all-time favourites of television.'
One viewer said: 'About as good as television gets - a true 10 star series. It doesn't matter how many times one watches the episodes either. I've seen the lot several times and find it as engaging on the most recent viewing as on the first.'
Where to Watch
Endeavour is available to stream for free on ITVX.
