The Trouble To Come…

Shaun Evans and Roger Allam on the challenges ahead for their Oxford detectives as the series moves into 1968.

- Caren Clark

NEW CRIME DRAMA

Endeavour

SUNDAY / ITV / 8.00PM

I’m working undercover as a teacher, I’m surprised you recognised me!’ chuckles Shaun Evans as TV Times catches up with him – not very well disguised in a suit and tie! – as he films scenes for the fifth series of Endeavour at a manor house in Buckinghamshire.

The lavish building is doubling up as a school and 37-year-old Shaun’s newly promoted Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse is pretending to be a schoolmaster to investigate a missing teacher.

After six years of playing the prickly young detective in the 1960s-set Inspector Morse prequel, Shaun’s enthusiasm is undiminished and that, he says, is due to the strong bond he shares with co-star Roger Allam, 64, who plays Endeavour’s upstanding boss, DCI Fred Thursday.

As Roger also joins us to chat about the six-part series, it’s clear the feeling is mutual. Here, they tell TV Times about their vital chemistry and the changing times ahead…

What do you love about working with each other?

Shaun: I think Rog is just brilliant, bright and committed. I couldn’t do it without him.