Brilliant news for ‘Endeavour’ fans waiting for Season 8!
The new season of Endeavour has officially begun production.
ITV’s Inspector Morse prequel series received a two-season renewal back in 2019, with the seventh season airing in February 2020.
Season 8 was set to film last summer, but the shoot was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Endeavour star Shaun Evans, who plays the young Morse, gave fans an update last year: “First and foremost, we’re very lucky to have the opportunity to return and do any more, especially at this late in the game…”
The 41-year-old actor added: “The fact that it has been pushed until [2021] only gives us more time to perfect [it], which can only be a good thing.”
We can now confirm that filming is currently underway in Oxford, England!
The three new feature-length episodes will be set in 1971.
Shaun Evans is back as Endeavour Morse, alongside Roger Allam as Fred Thursday.
It appears that Evans is also directing the first episode of the new season too, having directed several previous episodes.
The star and director discussed his love of directing last year: “For me, it’s such an immersive experience, the whole thing, from start to finish, because I produce it and also direct it, and obviously, I’m in virtually every scene.”
He explained: “The whole thing is immersive, and even when we’re not shooting, I’m cutting together the episode that I’ve directed, or we’re talking about story for the next one. And that’s what I love, really.”
Endeavour creator Russell Lewis has previously hinted that we’re “getting very near the end” of the show.
We’ll have to wait and see if the upcoming season will be the show’s last!
Season 8 is expected to premiere in the UK on ITV this autumn and in the US shortly afterwards on PBS.
Janice Troup, ITV’s Head of Programme Publicity, told Oxford Mail: “We’ve commissioned three new films. If all goes according to plan with filming, it is anticipated that the series will air later this year.”
Writer Russell Lewis returned to ITV recently with the first of his adaptations of Peter James’ Roy Grace novels, starring Life on Mars actor John Simm.
All seven seasons of Endeavour are available to watch on Amazon Prime and if you’re not already a member you can sign up for a free 30-day trial here!