TV endeavours to recreate Morse

The new drama, which will be filmed in Oxford and will air next year, stars Shaun Evans, in the title role made famous by John Thaw.

‘Morse as a young man is a wonderful character that I’m very excited to be playing,’ he said. ‘My hope is that we can complement what’s come before, by telling a great story, and telling it well.’

The programme, set in 1965, revolves around a hunt for a missing schoolgirl and gives viewers the chance to see where the detective’s love for crosswords, classical music and real ale came from. ITV drama commissioner Laura Mackie said the programme, called Endeavour after Morse’s first name, was ‘a beautifully written story’.