THE END is nigh...

ROGER ALLAM and SHAUN EVANS prepare to say goodbye to Oxford's finest sleuths

- CAREN CLARK

ENDEAVOUR
SUNDAY, 8PM, ITV1 DRAMA

As TV Times sits down in ITV’s west London offices to chat to Shaun Evans and Roger Allam about the ninth and final series of Endeavour, both stars are in a bittersweet mood about the Inspector Morse prequel drawing to a close.

‘It has felt like a slow letting go, but it was the right time,’ smiles Shaun, 42. ‘We’ve been together a long time,’ adds Roger, 69. ‘But I’m proud that we got to a certain point and haven’t just gone on and on.’

Melancholic Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse (portrayed by Shaun) and his stalwart superior Detective Chief Inspector Fred Thursday (played by Roger) are not bowing out quietly, however. The new three-part run, set in the summer of 1972, will see them tested like never before when change blows through Oxford’s Castle Gate Police Station, while a case from the past has dangerous repercussions and they also face personal turmoil.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Shaun and Roger give us their take on the final chapter of the hit ITV1 crime drama…

Where do we find Endeavour and Fred at the start of the latest series?

SHAUN In the last series, Endeavour was told to get his act together [due to his heavy drinking]. He fought that, but he reached the conclusion that he did need time off, so he’s back in a positive mood and full of good intentions.