Inspector Morse
| Detective Chief Inspector Morse | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | 1975: novel Last Bus to Woodstock |
| Created by | Colin Dexter |
| Portrayed by | John Thaw (television) (1987–2000) Shaun Evans (television) (2012–2023) |
| Appears in | 13 novels (1975–1999) Inspector Morse television series (1987–2000) Endeavour television series (2012–2023) |
| Also portrayed by | Andrew Burt (BBC Radio) (1985) John Shrapnel (BBC Radio) (1992–96) Colin Baker (stage) (2010) Neil Pearson (BBC Radio) (2017) |
| In-universe information | |
| Title | Detective Chief Inspector |
| Family |
|
| Relatives | Marilyn Garrett (niece) Wayne Garrett (nephew) |
| Nationality | British |
| Decorations | George Medal (television 1967) |
| Born | 1930 (television: 1938) |
| Died | 1999: novel The Remorseful Day (television: 2000) |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Oxford |
Endeavour Morse, GM, is the namesake character of the series of "Morse" detective novels by British author Colin Dexter, a Detective Chief Inspector in the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England.
On television he was portrayed by John Thaw in a 33-episode drama series, Inspector Morse (1987–2000), and by Shaun Evans in the (2012–2023) prequel series Endeavour. The older Morse is a senior Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, while the younger is a detective constable rising through the ranks with the Oxford City Police and, in later seasons, the Thames Valley Police.
Morse presents, to some, a reasonably sympathetic personality, despite his sullen and snobbish temperament. He is known for his classic Jaguar Mark 2 (a Lancia in the early novels), thirst for English real ale, and love of classical music (especially opera and Wagner), poetry, art and cryptic crossword puzzles. In his later career he is usually assisted by Sergeant Robbie Lewis, a partnership and formal friendship which is fundamental to the series. Morse uses Lewis’ first name, Robbie for the first time in S5, E5 “Promised Land” before going to face a kidnapper and potential killer.