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Endeavour

Endeavour

A crusade in search of justice, risking everything for the truth ...

2012–2023Ended9 seasons36 episodes~90 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

The early days of a young Endeavour Morse, whose experiences as a detective constable with the Oxford City Police will ultimately shape his future.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Endeavour?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Endeavour streaming on PBS Masterpiece via Prime Video and Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Endeavour?

Endeavour earns 7 badges, led by Modern classic and Top 5% of shows.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Endeavour worth watching?

Endeavour's Midcredits score is the 98th percentile of all shows, from 39K ratings across 2 sources. 94% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

98th percentile

Better received than 98% of shows

98th percentile among Crime98th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)96th
Approval (how many liked it)98th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

84 /100

96th percentile of all shows

97th percentile among Crime95th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

94% liked it

98th percentile of all shows

97th percentile among Crime98th percentile among 2010s
94% rated it 7–106% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

97th percentile

39K ratings across platforms

94th percentile among Crime96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 12% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree Endeavour is a visually sumptuous period crime drama built around the Morse-Thursday relationship, but disagree on whether it honors or betrays the original Inspector Morse.

Fans praised

  • Shaun Evans captures the shy, cerebral young Morse with subtlety and depth
  • Morse-Thursday mentor-pupil bond is the show's emotional core
  • Exquisite 1960s period detail, from props to costumes to Oxford atmosphere

Detractors panned

  • Plots become formulaic, preposterous, or lazily resolved
  • Young Morse lacks the charisma and grumpy charm of John Thaw's original
  • Later seasons marred by convoluted storylines and woke agenda

What stands out

Atmosphere90

Immersive 1960s Oxford; nostalgic and moody world-building

Cinematography88

Lush, evocative photography of Oxford and period details

ActingDivisive85

Shaun Evans and Roger Allam consistently praised; detractors say Evans lacks Thaw's presence

Sound and musicDivisive85

Barrington Pheloung's haunting score and classical selections elevate the mood

CharactersDivisive82

Morse-Thursday bond deeply felt; critics find young Morse too wooden or unlikeable

Emotional impactDivisive78

Morse's personal tragedies and unrequited love deeply affecting; detractors call it melodrama

Plot and storyDivisive65

Intricate but often convoluted or implausible; fans enjoy the puzzle-box structure

OriginalityDivisive65

Fresh take on a classic character, but formulaic mystery tropes wear thin

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 13 points higher than under-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 2 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Episodes

9 seasons

Series 9 · 2023 · 3 episodes

  • S9E1

    Prelude

    Feb 26, 202390 min
  • S9E2

    Uniform

    Mar 5, 202390 min
  • S9E3

    Exeunt

    Mar 12, 202394 min

Watch experience

What is Endeavour like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and charged — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseMelancholicContemplative
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.WarmSolemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe series treats its material with earnest sincerity, balancing brooding noir atmosphere with warmth from the mentor-pupil relationship.
The rideInvestigations sustain tension, the series has a reflective, sometimes sad undercurrent, and the final season is emotionally weightiest.
StructureEpisodes unfold in a conventional linear order, with setup, investigation, and resolution typical of a crime procedural.
Episode formatEach episode is a standalone murder case that also contributes to long-running character and relationship arcs across seasons.
Season formatEach season has its own set of cases and a central arc that expands the series' lore and character development.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingRousing · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe intricate puzzles and the warmth of the central partnership stay with the viewer, leaving a sense of intellectual satisfaction and inspiration.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% (this title) · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

8% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEach episode of Endeavour follows a murder investigation driven by Morse's deductive puzzle-solving, fitting the mystery archetype with a procedural investigation structure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7% (this title)
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% (this title) · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsLoyalty · 7% of showsMemory · 3% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the pursuit of justice within a changing police force, while the bond between Morse and Thursday tests loyalty, and Morse's past shadows his present.
StanceThe series questions what justice means in a flawed system, focusing on Morse and Thursday's partnership.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalStylized realism
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score
SettingOxford, from 1965 into the 1970s

Content guide

Is Endeavour okay for kids?

TV-14

Endeavour is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (57/100), sexual content at mild (33/100), language at mild (26/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (48/100) and frightening material at moderate (51/100). Overall it is heavier than 47% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 16 other countries
  • UK15
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France16
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil12
  • Austria16
  • Denmark11
  • LTN-7
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • PortugalNR
  • Russia16+
  • Spain16
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 38% of all showsHeavier than 47% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 57%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 37%
Profanity
Mild
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 13%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 76%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 53%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is violence, heavier than 57% of TV-14 shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Endeavour have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Endeavour?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Shaun Evans
as DS Endeavour Morse
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Roger Allam
as DI Fred Thursday
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Bradshaw
as Dr. Max DeBryn
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sean Rigby
as DS Jim Strange
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Anton Lesser
as Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Caroline O'Neill
as Win Thursday
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Abigail Thaw
as Dorothea Frazil
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Sara Vickers
as Joan Thursday
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Dakota Blue Richards
as WPC Shirley Trewlove
Jack Laskey
as DS Peter Jakes
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

More like this

What are shows like Endeavour?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Endeavour include Inspector George Gently (2007), Inspector Lewis (2006) and Poirot (1989).

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What other shows share a tag with Endeavour?

813 other shows share the rarest tag below, kind of show: police procedural. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.