The curtain is closing on long-running ITV crime drama Endeavour, with star Shaun Evans warning fans that the series will end on a sad note for its title character.
The show examines the formative years of Inspector Morse – portrayed by John Thaw in the ’80s and ’90s – and his relationship with mentor figure Fred Thursday (Roger Allam).
Viewers have come to be deeply invested in their bond over the previous eight seasons, but the two detectives are destined to be torn apart in Endeavour season 9. The question remains over how exactly that will happen.
Evans said (via PBS Masterpiece): “I’m delighted, first and foremost, that it does sadden people, that they feel so engaged that they would emotionally feel an attachment, both to Endeavour wanting to get with Joan, and also then the fissure between the relationship with him and Thursday.”
He continued: “We know because of the unique prequel nature of this story, that neither Joan nor Thursday is ever mentioned in either the books or in the series with John Thaw.
“So it’s our duty to make a decision about why that is, and what they do in our particular stories that ensure that they’re never mentioned again later on. And I feel like we’ve satisfied that.”
Here’s everything we know so far about Endeavour season 9.
Endeavour season 9 release date speculation
ITV is yet to announce a release date for Endeavour season 9, but the final chapter is expected to debut in spring 2023, having completed filming last summer.
The decision to end the show at this point was agreed upon mutually by production company Mammoth Screen, screenwriter Russell Lewis, and stars Shaun Evans and Roger Allam.
Endeavour season 9 cast
The following cast members are confirmed to be returning for Endeavour season 9.
- Shaun Evans as Endeavour Morse
- Roger Allam as Fred Thursday
Fans can expect plenty more members of the Endeavour cast, however, with executive producer Damien Timmer promising “the return of some familiar faces” in the final three movies.
Those could very well include Sara Vickers as Joan Thursday, Anton Lesser as Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright, Sean Rigby as Detective Sergeant Jim Strange, and Abigail Thaw as journalist Dorothea Frazil.
Is there a trailer for Endeavour season 9?
There’s no trailer for Endeavour season nine but we’ll keep this page updated.
Endeavour returns to ITV in 2023. Check out more of our coverage or visit our and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
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