Endeavour

The early days of a young Endeavour Morse, whose experiences as a detective constable with the Oxford City Police will ultimately shape his future.

Endeavour (2013-2023) is a British period crime series created by Russell Lewis for ITV1, a prequel that follows the early career of Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), a sharp, introspective young detective constable with the Oxford City Police. Working alongside the older, gruff Detective Inspector Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), Morse navigates a city of college spires, dim pubs, and rain-slicked streets while the seeds of his later solitary genius take root. Dr. Max DeBryn (James Bradshaw) provides a sympathetic counterweight as a physician who often sees the human cost of each case. The engine of the series is a steady run of murders and disappearances that Morse must untangle, each episode built around a self-contained inquiry whose clues reveal class tensions, personal secrets, and institutional pressures. Across nine seasons, the show moves at a measured, reflective pace, with a case-of-the-week structure threaded by slowly developing character arcs. Set in 1960s Oxford, the series has a nostalgic, melancholic atmosphere shaped by period cars, fashion, and music. Fans of Inspector Morse, Foyle's War, and Prime Suspect will find resonance in its blend of procedural rigor and wistful introspection, a British period drama built on character as much as on crime.

Acclaimed by audiences for its atmospheric 1960s Oxford setting, nuanced character work and the young Morse's emotional development.

• Inspector Morseshared british period police procedural tone and melancholic character study of a detective
• Foyle's Warshared 1960s british police setting and reflective period crime drama
• Prime Suspectshared prequel structure following a young detective's formative years in a crime setting

Created by

Russell Lewis

Release Date

2013-04-14

Episode runtime

90 min

Rating

8.6 / 10 (299)

What is Endeavour about?

A young Endeavour Morse begins his career as a detective constable with the Oxford City Police in the 1960s, where his investigations begin to shape the man he will become.

What is Endeavour like to watch?

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

Is Endeavour violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Endeavour as moderate.

What did critics think of Endeavour?

Acclaimed by audiences for its atmospheric 1960s Oxford setting, nuanced character work and the young Morse's emotional development.

Which shows are like Endeavour?

Shows with a similar feel include Inspector Morse, Foyle's War, and Prime Suspect.

How long is Endeavour?

Endeavour: 9 seasons, 35 episodes.

Is Endeavour still running?

No, Endeavour has ended.

Where can I watch Endeavour?

In United States, Endeavour streams on Amazon Prime Video, PBS, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Thirteen, WETA+.