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Inspector Morse

  • TV Series
  • 1987–20001987–2000
  • GG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
824
2
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
John Thaw and Kevin Whately in Inspector Morse (1987)
CrimeDramaMystery
Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for music, a taste for beer and a nose for crime. He sets out with Detective Sergeant Lewis to solve each intriguing case.Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for music, a taste for beer and a nose for crime. He sets out with Detective Sergeant Lewis to solve each intriguing case.Chief Inspector Morse has an ear for music, a taste for beer and a nose for crime. He sets out with Detective Sergeant Lewis to solve each intriguing case.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
824
2
  • Stars
    • John Thaw
    • Kevin Whately
    • James Grout
Top credits
  • Stars
    • John Thaw
    • Kevin Whately
    • James Grout
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 47User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 6 BAFTA Awards
      • 9 wins & 12 nominations total

    Episodes33

    Browse episodes
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    Photos421

    Bernard Brown in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Inspector Morse (1987)
    Inspector Morse (1987)
    Kevin Whately in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Angela Morant in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Inspector Morse (1987)
    Madelaine Newton and Celestine Randall in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Gemma Jones in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Sian Thomas in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Peter Waddington in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Georges Corraface in Inspector Morse (1987)
    Inspector Morse (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Thaw
    John Thaw
    • Chief Inspector Morseas Chief Inspector Morse
    33 episodes33 eps • 1987–2000
    Kevin Whately
    Kevin Whately
    • Detective Sergeant Lewisas Detective Sergeant Lewis
    32 episodes32 eps • 1987–2000
    James Grout
    James Grout
    • Chief Superintendent Strangeas Chief Superintendent Strange
    22 episodes22 eps • 1987–2000
    Peter Woodthorpe
    Peter Woodthorpe
    • Maxas Max
    7 episodes7 eps • 1987–1988
    Clare Holman
    Clare Holman
    • Dr. Laura Hobsonas Dr. Laura Hobson
    5 episodes5 eps • 1995–2000
    Liz Kettle
    • WPCas WPC…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1988–1992
    Amanda Hillwood
    • Dr. Grayling Russellas Dr. Grayling Russell…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1989
    Maureen Bennett
    • Val Lewisas Val Lewis…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1987–1991
    David Baukham
    • Desk Sergeantas Desk Sergeant…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1991–1992
    Judy Loe
    Judy Loe
    • Adele Cecilas Adele Cecil
    2 episodes2 eps • 1997–1998
    Norman Jones
    Norman Jones
    • Chief Inspector Bellas Chief Inspector Bell…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1987
    Richard Huw
    • Detective Constable Deardenas Detective Constable Dearden
    2 episodes2 eps • 1990
    Mark Draper
    • Angry Policemanas Angry Policeman…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1991–1992
    Bernard Brown
    Bernard Brown
    • Dr. Felix McClureas Dr. Felix McClure…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1990–1996
    Trevor Martin
    • Alan Sowdenas Alan Sowden…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1989–1990
    Gary Powell
    • Constableas Constable…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1987–1995
    John Bleasdale
    • Constableas Constable…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1989–1993
    Philip Voss
    Philip Voss
    • Coroneras Coroner
    2 episodes2 eps • 1987
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    First broadcast in 1987, the Inspector Morse series is a crime drama based on the Colin Dexter novels of the same name. The show is based around the exciting exploits of Chief Inspector Morse (John Thaw), a senior officer within the Criminal Investigation Department of the Oxford Police, as he investigates heavy crimes in and around Oxford with his sidekick, Detective Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately). Morse is a grumpy classical music aficionado who loves beer, and who frequently loses patience with the earnest, but somewhat slow, Lewis. —Bai
    detective sergeantchief inspectoroxford englandpolice detectivebased on novel27 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
    • Certificate
      • G
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Thaw was forty-four when he began playing Inspector Morse, but because of his prematurely white hair, many viewers thought he was about a decade older. Thaw was an alcoholic until 1994, and he often smoked up to three packs a day.
    • Quotes

      Morse: I always drink at lunchtime. It helps my imagination.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening notes of the theme music are based on the word "Morse" in Morse code, altered for musical purposes. The same notes are also included at the end and in places within the theme music. In the 1995 documentary "The Mystery of Morse: The Making of Morse", the composer stated that the theme sometimes spells the name of the murderer, a cryptic version of the name, or, as a red herring, an innocent character. However, there is nothing documented on the Internet for any specific name or episode. Morse code experts say that, aside from the code for "Morse", any other Morse code-like notes in the theme are complete gibberish, probably because the code was modified greatly for musical purposes.
    • Connections
      Edited into Inspector Morse: Rest in Peace (2000)

    User reviews47

    Review
    Top review
    Intelligent Whodunit with Fine Cast
    Not since the great team of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce (in the early film Sherlock Holmes series) have there been such a happy combination as John Thaw and Kevin Whately as Morse and Lewis, in "Inspector Morse". Based on the rather academic crime novels of Colin Dexter this is surely one of the best TV whodunit series. Thaw is much at home playing the cantankerous, cultured, clever, and egocentric Police Inspector who enjoys a drink, while Whately does well as his obedient sidekick. Clever plots and intelligent scripting make this a thought provoking and interesting series. Which has lead to other quirky British Police Inspectors such as Barnaby in The Midsomers Murders, and Frost in A Touch of Frost. One might argue that Oxford, and for that matter in the other series small English country villages seem alive with serial killers, rather not conducive to tourism, but allowing for poetic license these stories capture the interest more than most.
    helpful•25
    5
    • johnmbale
    • Oct 3, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 6, 1987 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Carlton Television (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Kommissarie Morse
    • Filming locations
      • Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Zenith Entertainment
      • Central Independent Television
      • Carlton UK Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Attractive Woman Found Dead Disguised as Suicide, Morse Investigates
    Attractive Woman Found Dead Disguised as Suicide, Morse Investigates
    Apr 4ShockYa
    Morse and Lewis head to Australia to track an ex-supergrass on Inspector Morse
    Morse and Lewis head to Australia to track an ex-supergrass on Inspector Morse
    Dec 29ShockYa

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