Dakota Blue Richards is cast in Endeavour series III

Dakota Blue Richards is cast in Endeavour series III

Acclaimed actress Dakota Blue Richards (Skins, The Golden Compass) is joining the cast of Endeavour III as WPC Shirley Trewlove, appearing from film 2 alongside Endeavour Morse as a new regular character.

Thorough, determined and forthright, Trewlove proves herself a vital addition to the force and quickly draws the admiration of Endeavour by demonstrating natural initiative, a wry sense of humour and perhaps most keenly, a rare intellect one not entirely similar to his own.

Russell Lewis said Bright, capable and brave, WPC Shirley Trewlove is a very welcome addition to the ranks of Oxford's Finest. While very much a young woman of the 1960s, Trewlove also evokes a very particular kind of timeless British heroine. Betjeman's Ring leader, Tom-boy, and chum to the weak'.

The sort of clear-eyed, resourceful young woman one wouldn't be surprised to find behind the wheel of the ambulance in Ice Cold in Alex' or keeping Robert Donat company across the moors in 'The 39 Steps. In Dakota we have found our perfect Trewlove.

Dakota Blue Richards said It s very exciting to be joining the talented cast of Endeavour. WPC Trewlove is incredibly astute and enthusiastic and I can t wait to see how her story unfolds.

Alongside Dakota, which familiar faces will return for Endeavour III after the shocking and tragic events at the end of series II?

Falsely accused Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) was last seen isolated and alone languishing in prison, framed for the murder of Chief Constable Rupert Standish. Endeavour had unearthed corruption at the very heart of the City Force but his investigation had taken a sinister twist. Will his life be back on track? Live in the shadows long enough ? You forget the sun. And does it resemble the life he'd known?

What of Endeavour's senior officer, DI Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), whose life was hanging in the balance after being shot in the chest? Has Thursday survived serious injury? Is his trademark trilby still hanging on its hook?

Series three of the phenomenally successful ITV crime drama and prequel to Inspector Morse will comprise 4 x 120 minute films and will once again be written by Lewis and Endeavour creator and Inspector Morse writer, Russell Lewis. Colin Dexter, whose first Morse story was published in 1975, continues his association with the drama, acting as a consultant to Endeavour producers Mammoth Screen.

Returning to their roles are Jack Laskey as DS Peter Jakes, Sean Rigby as PC Jim Strange, Anton Lesser as Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright, James Bradshaw as Dr Max DeBryn and Abigail Thaw as journalist Dorothea Frazil.

Endeavour debuted in 2012 with a feature length story to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Morse. Shaun Evans won over critics and viewers alike with his portrayal of a young Morse and consequently, the film became the highest performing new drama title to air on ITV that year.

The second series returned in March 2014 with a peak audience of 7.0m and a 27% share, making it one of the best performing returning drama series on ITV that year. The final film was ITV s best performing drama of any type for ABC1 Men during 2014.

Endeavour III has been commissioned by ITV's Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.

Russell Lewis serves as Executive Producer alongside Mammoth Screen's Damien Timmer and Michele Buck, and Dan McCulloch (original Endeavour Producer, Indian Summers). Tom Mullens (Black Work, New Tricks, Waterloo Road) will produce the new series.

Endeavour will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

About Mammoth Screen

Mammoth Screen is one of the UK s leading independent production companies. Current work includes POLDARK, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE for BBC One, BLACK WORK for ITV, OPPOSITE NUMBER for Channel 4 and AGATHA RAISIN for Sky 1.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/dakota-blue-richards-cas...
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