Netflix and BritBox viewers have rediscovered a British crime masterpiece with Endeavour, the acclaimed prequel to Inspector Morse that ran for nine seasons from 2012 to 2023 on ITV. Created by Russell Lewis as a one-off 2012 special celebrating Morse’s 25th anniversary, the series exploded into a full-fledged phenomenon, earning a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise as “one of the finest British detective dramas ever made” (The Guardian). Starring Shaun Evans as the young Endeavour Morse and Roger Allam as DI Fred Thursday, Endeavour chronicles the brilliant but troubled detective’s early career in 1960s Oxford, blending intricate mysteries with profound character depth that rivals its predecessor.
The premise is elegantly simple yet richly layered: Endeavour Morse, a dropout philosophy student turned constable after a broken romance, joins Oxford City Police in 1965. Under the mentorship of the gruff but kind Thursday, he solves baffling cases—from opera house murders to nuclear plant conspiracies—while grappling with his demons: alcoholism, loneliness, and a genius that isolates him. Evans’ Morse is a revelation—awkward, idealistic, with a passion for crossword puzzles and Wagner that hints at the curmudgeonly chief inspector of later years. Allam’s Thursday is the emotional anchor, their father-son bond the show’s beating heart.
Over nine seasons and 36 episodes, Endeavour evolved from whodunit to epic character study, exploring 1960s social upheaval—race riots, women’s liberation, Cold War paranoia—with nuance. The finale, “Exeunt” (2023), drew 6 million viewers, tying loose ends while honoring Colin Dexter’s creation.
Critics adored it: BAFTA nominations for Evans and Allam, praise for Lewis’ scripts (“witty, poignant, perfectly paced”). Fans binge: “Better than Morse—young Endeavour breaks your heart” (@CrimeDramaFan, 50k likes).
Endeavour isn’t just prequel—it’s pinnacle, a timeless portrait of brilliance and vulnerability. Stream on BritBox/Prime Video; Oxford’s shadows await.
