Inspector Morse

Inspector Morse is a detective drama based on Colin Dexter's series of Chief Inspector Morse novels. The series starred John Thaw as Chief Inspector Morse and Kevin Whately as Sergeant Lewis, as well as a large cast of notable actors and actresses.

Inspector Morse (1987-1993) is a British television detective drama created by Tony Warren and Colin Dexter for ITV1, adapted from Colin Dexter's novels. John Thaw plays Chief Inspector Morse, a brooding, music-loving and intellectually restless detective whose solitude and sharp deductive gifts make him a difficult colleague. Kevin Whately plays Detective Sergeant Lewis, the grounded, practical partner who keeps Morse tethered to the working world, while Peter Woodthorpe's Dr. Max DeBryn and James Grout's Chief Superintendent Strange round out the principal cast. Each of the seven seasons is built from standalone, roughly hundred-minute feature episodes, so every story is a self-contained murder investigation in which the detective pieces together a puzzle from academic rivalries, college secrets and the social hierarchies of the city. The engine is patient observation: interviews, dead ends and quiet insight rather than chases. Set in present-day Oxford of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the show moves through its wintry colleges, pubs and cathedral spires with a melancholic, contemplative atmosphere. Viewers who enjoy Endeavour, Midsomer Murders and Wallander will find the same literary, character-led British mystery appeal here.

Acclaimed as a sophisticated, literate British detective drama with strong lead performances and atmospheric Oxford settings.

• Endeavourbritish detective procedural, literary mystery, cerebral crime solving in an English city
• Midsomer Murdersbritish crime drama, eccentric detective, murder investigations with a loyal sergeant
• Wallandercerebral detective, puzzle-driven murder mystery, melancholic tone

Created by

Tony Warren, Colin Dexter

Release Date

1987-01-06

Episode runtime

100 min

Rating

8.2 / 10 (148)

What is Inspector Morse about?

A brooding, brilliant Oxford detective and his loyal sergeant unravel murders through a feature-length mystery format.

What is Inspector Morse like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Inspector Morse as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Inspector Morse violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Inspector Morse as moderate.

What did critics think of Inspector Morse?

Acclaimed as a sophisticated, literate British detective drama with strong lead performances and atmospheric Oxford settings.

Which shows are like Inspector Morse?

Shows with a similar feel include Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, and Wallander.

How long is Inspector Morse?

Inspector Morse: 7 seasons, 28 episodes.

Is Inspector Morse still running?

No, Inspector Morse has ended.

Where can I watch Inspector Morse?

In United States, Inspector Morse streams on Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel.