Endeavour star Shaun Evans explains what makes Inspector Morse so tragic
Roger Allam says it's unlikely this will be last Endeavour series
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The eighth series of Endeavour is finally underway, with the first of three new episodes airing last Sunday. As the ITV prequel series slowly starts to catch up with the original adventures of Inspector Morse, lead star Shaun Evans has shared some insight into his portrayal of the iconic detective.
Shaun Evans has branded Inspector Morse a tragic figure as the eighth season of Endeavour continues on ITV.
The English actor, 41, has portrayed a young Morse in the thrilling spin-off series since 2012.
He has now portrayed the classic TV hero for 33 episodes, as many as the inspector’s original performer John Thaw.
With the first of three new episodes released on ITV, Evans has revealed what he thinks makes him such an enduring character after all these years.
Speaking to ITV ahead of the show’s return, the leading man was asked about Morse’s lack of interest beyond the realms of his profession.
Morse doesn’t enjoy football or television, which could expose holes in his everyday knowledge.
Evans explained: “Things like football and TV just don’t interest Endeavour. Which is totally fair enough.
“This is someone who is out of joint with his time. We’ve always approached him like that.”
Television audiences first met Morse in his older years when the original show began in 1987.
As an aging detective, his unconventional and somewhat snobbish interests often left him isolated from his colleagues.
However, establishing the same character as a younger man presented a challenge for Evans and the writers of Endeavour when the prequel first started.
“It’s okay finding someone in their later life who is into culture, crosswords and opera,” Evans went on.
DON’T MISS:
Riverdale season 5: Veronica fears Archie’s death in promo [TRAILER]
Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker replaced by Adam Driver? [INSIGHT]
Louise Minchin bids ‘chaotic’ farewell to BBC Breakfast [NEWS]
“But encountering that person in their younger life, that’s where, for me, it’s interesting.”
In the revamped Inspector Morse prequel, the reluctant detective teams with DCI Fred Thursday (played by Roger Allam) to crack cases across Oxford.
Evans’ Morse is just as sharply intelligent and ever, and even shares his older self’s penchant for classic music.
Even in the 1960s and 70s, Endeavour’s peculiar mannerisms and high-brow interests often put him at odds with the rest of the station.
The star explained: “I’m not interested in the day-to-day facile what he would see. The things that don’t last.
“It makes complete sense to me. It’s another thing of not being part of the group. Being isolated, being the outsider in a way.
“He’s not part of the herd. Which is what makes him brilliant but also what also makes him tragic as well.”
Despite this, Morse has remained one of the UK’s favourite small screen detectives after all these years and Evans is hoping to continue his legacy for many more years to come.
Endeavour season 8 continues Sunday on ITV.
Source: Read Full Article