Chief Inspector Morse (and links with Oxford)

Inspector Endeavour Morse, created by novelist Colin Dexter (who actually studied at Cambridge and had a cameo in each episode) was an Oxford detective, known for his quiet intelligence, love for crosswords, Wager and beer (and born into a Quaker family (hence the name Endeavour).

The most popular TV detective in the 90s, handsome John Thaw looked older than he was due to his white hair (he was 44 when filming began, and only 60 when he died). When the series ended, John refused the offer of the famed red Jaguar, saying ‘it was too slow and terrible to drive!’

Once upon a time, we solved crime with a brain and a notebook. These days it’s pie charts and a notebook. The romance is gone. Chief Inspector Morse

There are quite a few crossover links in this series. Some episodes (including Fat Chance with the cigar-smoking vicar) were directed by Roy Battersby (who was married to Judy Loe – the widow of Richard Beckinsale who played Morse’s love interest in later episodes).

He also directed episodes of A Touch of Frost (Morse’s daughter played the police woman standing in for Mullett in the famous episode Keys to the Car ‘(the new mantra is TEAM etc).

And Kevin Whatley’s wife in real life played Beryl, the choir singer stabbed in the classic episode Mason Mysteries.

The character was named after Sir Jeremy Morse, a crossword enthusiastic and friend of Colin Dexter. Many young actors cut their teeth playing parts in early Morse episodes, including Elizabeth Hurley and Julia Sawalha (as students at a posh school – along with outstanding Irish actress Frances Tomelty). And Rachel Weisz (who played the daughter of a man who turned out to be a former Nazi officer).