Endeavour is returning for its ninth and final series. The Morse prequel, starring Shaun Evans in the title role of DS Endeavour Morse and Roger Allam as DCI Fred Thursday, will make its comeback on Sunday, February 26.
Endeavour first aired on ITV as a single film in January 2012 and season 8 aired in the UK in September 2021, so the ninth and final series has been a long time coming. The final instalment of the drama, which was filmed in and around Oxford, is set in the summer of 1972.
A synopsis reads: "Two unexplained deaths seem to lead to the Oxford Concert Orchestra, while a body discovered in a derelict warehouse stokes fears that 'London business' involving the criminal underworld has again found its way to Oxford. Thursday and Endeavour’sinvestigation unearths some unsettling connections to cases the duo believed were well and truly behind them."
Read more: The four new dramas airing in the same week from Unforgotten to Endeavour
But what time does Endeavour start, who has been cast, and why is the long-standing series ending? Here's everything you need to know.
When does Endeavour return?
Endeavour starts on Sunday, February 26 on ITV1. The ninth series will kick off with an two hour-long episode on 8pm.
Endeavour cast list
Alongside Shaun and Roger is a strong ensemble cast including Anton Lesser (Killing Eve, Game of Thrones) who returns as CS Reginald Bright, Sean Rigby (Gunpowder) as DS Jim Strange, James Bradshaw (Close to The Enemy) as Dr Max DeBryn, Abigail Thaw (Miss Scarlet and the Duke) as Dorothea Frazil, Caroline O’Neill (The A Word) as Win Thursday and Sara Vickers (Watchmen) as Joan Thursday. Those reprising their roles will return alongside many guest stars.
Is this the final series of Endeavour?
Yes. Mammoth founder Damien Timmer, who worked on the original Inspector Morse and executive produced Lewis, as well as initiating Endeavour with Russell Lewis, explained the decision behind this.
He said: "As Endeavour draws to a close, it's been an honour to be a part of this incredible journey. I'm so proud of the remarkable cast and crew who have dedicated their time and efforts to bring the series to life over the last decade, and I'm certain that the fans will be moved by the final instalment.
"It's a massive accomplishment for screenwriter Russell Lewis to have written all 72 hours of the show, and his passion for Colin Dexter's world, combined with his own boundless creativity and fondness for the 1960s and 1970s, has made Endeavour one of the most beloved series on British television.
"From the first Endeavour pilot Russell has known exactly where he wanted to end the saga of Endeavour Morse and Fred Thursday. We put off this awful day for as long as we possibly could, but there was a point a few years ago where we agreed as a creative team that it was time to prepare for the final end, and go out on a high! ITV has been the most generous and supportive partners and were very respectful of the team's decision to make this the final series. We have now made more Endeavour films than there were Inspector Morse stories." For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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