ITV recommiions Endeavour for a second series

ITV recommissions Endeavour for a second series

Starring Shaun Evans and Roger Allam produced by Mammoth Screen

ITV's critically acclaimed crime drama, Endeavour, will return for a second series following the phenomenal success of the first series starring Shaun Evans and Roger Allam.

As a prequel to the much-admired Inspector Morse, Endeavour debuted in 2012 with a feature length story to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Morse. Consequently, this one off became the highest performing new drama title to air on ITV that year.

With Shaun Evans (The Take, The last Weekend) in the lead role of young Morse, Roger Allam (The Thick of It, Parade's End, Game of Thrones) as Detective Inspector Fred Thursday, and written by Russell Lewis, who wrote for Morse and devised Lewis, the drama instantly became a hit with viewers and critics who acknowledged the high production values and beautifully crafted stories inspired by the character created by acclaimed novelist Colin Dexter, whose first Morse story was published in 1975. Colin continues his association with the drama acting as a consultant to Endeavour producers, Mammoth Screen.

The first full series of Endeavour screened earlier this year with each of the four episodes averaging 7.0m and a 25% share, making it one of the best performing drama series on ITV so far this year alongside Broadchurch and Mr Selfridge. Endeavour won the slot across the whole series, convincingly beating off competition from BBC1's period drama The Village.

The new series will comprise 4 x 120 minute films with Russell Lewis returning to writing duties and serving as an Executive Producer alongside Mammoth Screen's Michele Buck and Damien Timmer who have executive produced Endeavour since its inception. Camille Gatin (Shadow Dancer) will produce the series and the directors will be appointed in the coming months. The series will go into production in Oxford later this year.

"We're truly delighted by the audiences reaction to the first quartet of Endeavour stories, and very grateful to ITV for the opportunity to further embellish the legend, said Russell Lewis. As to where well be going next time out..? 1966. The year of Revolver. In the Bodleian. With Miss Scarlet. They think its all over..?' Its only just started, matey!

Added ITV's Director of Drama Commissioning Steve November:

The audience's response to the classic crime partnership of Endeavour and Thursday has been incredible and we're thrilled at the prospect of more Endeavour stories written by Russell Lewis and produced by Mammoth Screen.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-recommissions-endeav...
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