Inspector Morse

Detective Chief Inspector Morse
First appearance1975: novel Last Bus to Woodstock
Created byColin Dexter
Portrayed byJohn Thaw (television) (1987–2000)
Shaun Evans (television) (2012–2023)
Appears in13 novels (1975–1999)
Inspector Morse television series (1987–2000)
Endeavour television series (2012–2023)
Also portrayed byAndrew Burt (BBC Radio) (1985)
John Shrapnel (BBC Radio) (1992–96)
Colin Baker (stage) (2010)
Neil Pearson (BBC Radio) (2017)
In-universe information
TitleDetective Chief Inspector
FamilyCyril Morse (father)
Constance Morse (mother)
Gwen Morse (stepmother)
Joyce Garrett (née Morse) (half-sister)
RelativesKeith Garrett (brother-in-law)
Marilyn Garrett (half-niece)
Wayne Garrett (half-nephew)
NationalityBritish
DecorationsGeorge Medal (television 1967)
Born1930[1] (television: 1938)
Died1999: novel The Remorseful Day (television: 2000)
Alma materSt John's College, Oxford

Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, GM, is the eponymous fictional character in the series of detective novels by British author Colin Dexter. On television, he appears in the 33-episode drama series Inspector Morse (1987–2000), in which John Thaw played the character, as well as the (2012–2023) prequel series Endeavour, portrayed by Shaun Evans. The older Morse is a senior Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer with the Thames Valley Police in Oxford in England and, in the prequel, Morse is a young detective constable rising through the ranks with the Oxford City Police and, in later series, the Thames Valley Police.

Morse presents, to some, a reasonably sympathetic personality, despite his sullen and snobbish temperament, with a classic Jaguar Mark 2 (a Lancia in the early novels), a thirst for English real ale, and a 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. Morse's partnership and formal friendship with Lewis is fundamental to the series.

  1. ^ "Dexter said that Morse would be turning 70 next year [2000]", from: "Art mirrors life, as Inspector Morse is finally defeated by drinking". Independent.co.uk. 4 October 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2018.